West End Health Foundation awards $30,000 to youth mental health programs in the Ishpeming area

ISHPEMING, Mich. (WLUC) – The West End Health Foundation recently awarded $30,000 for its 2022 Proactive Grants cycle. The Proactive Grants program was limited to programs and services developed to address the well-being of young people by putting the focus on mental health. Three applications were funded based on a competitive review of organization, program and quality of proposal.

The following grants have been awarded:

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

Hines is a suicide survivor who has dedicated his life to educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention. Ever since he attempted suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in September 2000, he’s been busy sharing his story through in-person presentations and through a documentary called Suicide: The Ripple Effect. He also wrote a memoir titled “Cracked Not Broken, Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt”. Grant 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 improve access to mental health services by increasing provider hours at their specialized child and adolescent psychiatry clinic in Negaunee.

This grant will provide 115 additional youth and their families with behavioral health services. The range of services that could be provided to these clients will include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, individual and play therapy, psychiatric assessments, medication management and family therapy depending on the needs of each individual.

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

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

“We understand the importance of improving mental health services for young people in our community,” said Amy Clickner, Chair of the West End Foundation’s Philanthropy Committee. “We received ten proposals requesting over $80,000 and after careful consideration, our Board of Directors has determined that the programs offered by these three organizations will have the most positive impact on local youth. The West End is fortunate to have dedicated professionals in place to help young people cope with the difficulties they face today.

In addition to the Proactive Grant Awards, the West End Health Foundation also presented a check for $15,200 to the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network for the 2022 Teal Lake Swim.

The foundation has proudly provided matching fund support to the Swim Teal Lake Diabetes Benefit since 2014. Swim Teal Lake is a fundraiser for the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Awareness Network, which has been recognized at the National Scale for Improving Diabetes Care and Outcomes in the Upper Peninsula. . UPDON ensures that cost-effective diabetes prevention, detection, treatment, supplies and support services are available, educates about diabetes to prevent complications, maintains a broad UP coalition to improve collaboration, and identify and fill gaps in diabetes services, and works with health care professionals to build knowledge about diabetes treatment and care delivery.

The next round of West End Health Foundation grants will take place this fall and will focus on programs and services that improve health and well-being. Additional information can be found at westendhf.org or by contacting Mary Myers, Director of Business Development, Lake Superior Community Partnership at [email protected] or 906-226-6591 ext. 104.

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