As we embark on year three of our initiative, it is the time for reflection of all that we have accomplished and a thank you to our volunteers and donors. I am so proud that we’ve been able to identify dedicated organizations in our community addressing mental health concerns with young people. As an all-volunteer granting organization focused on improving the lives of youth and young adults struggling with mental health challenges, we are building partnerships with large programs in our area, so that we can make an even greater impact.
We recently met with our state representative and other local leaders to advocate for additional support for mental health programming and resources. One significant theme we identified over these two years is that starting younger than high school and talking about mental healthiness in schools is a highly effective strategy to address the mental health challenges that so many youth face. A recent report indicates that suicide is the #2 cause of death for 10-14 year olds. In response, we are identifying and funding school-based programs to reach these younger children. We must break down the stigma associated with asking for help when kids struggle with anxiety and depression.
Your generous financial support inspires us and allows our team to fund the important work of funding those who directly serve youth and young adults. Mary Jo and I are so thankful for all the wonderful volunteers who are making such a beautiful impact.
At our recent 2nd Anniversary celebration, we announced that we are preparing to launch our third grant cycle and will soon accept applications from organizations that align with our mission. Now we turn our focus to our key annual fundraiser: the September 8th golf outing! Enjoy your summer and please share any ideas or feedback as we continue to grow.
Cheers,
Larry Butz
