Continuing To Make An Impact

KyleCares Foundation News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 2022

June is Pride Month, and KyleCares is committed

to helping schools create a culture that supports their LGBTQ+ students.

Being LGBTQ alone does not put a young person at higher risk for suicide; the discrimination, rejection, fear, and harassment that may come with being LGBTQ in an unsupportive environment are what increase the risk.

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.

MORE INFO ON THE TREVOR PROJECT

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

TRI-COUNTY REGIONAL

VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Tri-County RVTHS in Franklin, MA kicked off their Mental Health Awareness Month activities in May with a focus on the mental health of their student-athletes.

Former collegiate athlete and Minding Your Mind speaker Andrew Onimus addressed 180 athletes and 10 coaches/staff members about “Finding Your Way to Mental Health

& Resilience”.

It’s so important for student athletes who are balancing school, part-time jobs, sports, a social life, and the pressures that come with competitive sports, to keep their mental health in-check, and ask for help if needed!

Plans are underway to continue open conversations and awareness led by the school’s Athletic Leadership Council when they return in the fall.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Project Green, Dean College’s Student Led Club

Project Green, Dean College’s student-led club that advocates for mental health awareness and a recent grant award recipient from KyleCares, works hard to disperse proper resources to those who need them, and to create opportunities for mental health education and discussion on campus.

Led by students Meg Arrington, Syra Pandey, Sara Finamore and Mackenzie Nazworth, the club’s main annual event is the Project Green Showcase.

Held in the Guidry Center on campus, the Project Green Showcase provides a creative outlet for individuals to share stories and experiences related to mental health through dance and music on stage, along with visual art such as poetry, creative writing, painting and drawing in an art gallery outside of the performance space.

(L to R) KyleCares Co-founder Sue Johnson, Dean College Director of Counseling Services MaryAnn Silvestri, and students Sarah Finamore, Syra Pandey and Meg Arrington - receiving a $500 KyleCares Grant prior to their movie screening on campus of the documentary My Ascension.

OUR CONTINUING IMPACT

As we reach the end of another challenging school year, we also reflect on our 3^rd full year at KyleCares, knowing that after nearly $175,000 in investments we are making a noticeable difference for the schools and partners we work with each day. Students need help more than ever, and we’ll continue to organize services, support and strategies aimed at increasing open conversations and decreasing stigma associated with mental health.

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS ON OUR BEHALF

There are many creative ways to help raise funds to support the

high schools and colleges KyleCares works with, just like these

amazing students and businesses did!

The Richmond Group

When The Richmond Group in Hopkinton, MA offered to run the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge on behalf of KyleCares, little did we know they would produce the largest corporate-based donation in our foundation’s 3-year history! Led by President David Mello and Executive Assistant Beverly Quinn, Richmond matched all donations by their

employees and business partners up to $5,000, generating over $18,000 towards the KyleCares mission!

Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar

Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar in Attleboro, MA gives back to local charities through their Funds for Friends campaign, and on June 16th they donated 15% of all food sales to KyleCares!

Thank you, Arooga’s for your generosity!

Nipmuc Regional HS

At Nipmuc Regional HS in Upton, MA, the boys lacrosse team is leading the way to create a more caring, less judgmental school culture.

At a recent home game all players affixed green mental health awareness ribbons to their helmets, and we are humbled the team chose KyleCares to be a recipient of their charitable efforts through their 50/50 fundraiser!

A special THANK YOU to our newest Diamond and Platinum Sponsors:

DIAMOND

PLATINUM

GILDEA FAMILY

FOUNDATION

PLATINUM

DONATE TO KYLECARES FOUNDATION

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