The West End Health Foundation awards $30,000 to youth mental health programs around Ishpeming

ISPEMING, Michigan (WLUC) – The West End Health Foundation recently awarded $30,000 for the 2022 Proactive Scholarship Cycle. The Proactive Scholarship Program has been limited to programs and services developed to address youth wellness with a focus on mental health. Three applications were funded based on a competitive review of the organization, program, and supply quality.

The following grants have been awarded:

The Ishpeming Public School District will receive $15,250 to provide a mental health and suicide awareness program featuring Kevin Hines.

Haynes is a suicide survivor who has dedicated his life to educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention. Since his suicide attempt by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in September 2000, he has been busy sharing his story through personal presentations and through a documentary called Suicide: The Ripple Effect. He has also written a memoir titled Cracked Unbreakable, Surviving and Thrive after Suicide Attempt. Scholarship funds will be used to host Hines during programs for students in the Ishpeming, Negaunee, Westwood and Republic Michigamme school districts.

Great Lakes Recovery Centers received $9,190 to enhance access to mental health services by increasing service delivery hours at the Nigoni Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic.

This scholarship will provide an additional 115 young people and their families with behavioral health services. The range of services that these clients may be offered include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, individual therapy, play, psychological assessments, medication management, and family therapy depending on each individual’s needs.

The Ishpeming Cancer Society, also known as Marquette County Cancer Care, will get $5,560 to help meet the mental health needs of young cancer patients.

Founded in 1979, the Ishpeming Cancer Society helps Marquette County residents diagnosed with cancer. The organization provides financial assistance for treatment, medication, travel, equipment, and supplies for cancer patients. The organization also acts as a support network for cancer patients and their families.

“We recognize that improving mental health services for young people in our community is important,” said Amy Klickner, chair of the West End Foundation’s Philanthropic Committee. “We received ten proposals asking for more than $80,000, and after careful review, our Board of Directors felt that the programs offered by these three organizations would have the most positive impact on local youth. West End is fortunate to have dedicated professionals to help young people deal with the hardships they face today. “.

In addition to the proactive grant awards, the West End Health Foundation has also provided a check for $15,200 to the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network for the 2022 Teal Lake Swim.

The Foundation is proud to provide matching fund support for Tell Lake Diabetes Benefits since 2014. Swim Tell Lake is a fundraiser for the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Awareness Network, which has been nationally recognized for improving diabetes care and outcomes across the Upper Peninsula. UPDON works to ensure cost-effective provision of diabetes prevention, detection, treatment, supply and support, diabetes education to prevent complications, maintains a broad UP alliance to enhance collaboration, identify and address gaps in diabetes services, and works with healthcare professional to advance knowledge of the treatment of diabetes diabetes and caregiving.

The West End Health Foundation’s next grant cycle will be this fall and will focus on programs and services that improve health and wellness. Additional information can be found at westendhf.org Or by contacting Mary Myers, Director of Business Development, Lake Superior Community Partnership at mary@marquette.org or 906-226-6591 ext. 104.

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