Roxanne Peña Avant’s Post

OUT OF THE DARKNESS: Walking Together for Suicide Prevention *** We will match the first $500 in donations *** Friends, I’m reaching out today to share something deeply personal and important. This year, my family and I are taking part in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We are walking with a Team organized by Sam Sheeder to raise awareness and much-needed funds for suicide prevention, an issue that has touched us personally, as I know it has for so many others. Mental health struggles and suicide are often difficult to talk about, but they shouldn't be. It’s time we normalize these conversations—because mental health is just as important as physical health. By opening up, we can break the silence that surrounds these issues, offer support, and remind each other that none of us has to face this battle alone. I’m asking for your help, not just to honor those we've lost, but to provide hope for those who are still struggling. Your donation, no matter the size, will support AFSP's mission to fund research, create educational programs, and advocate for policies that save lives. Together, we can create a culture that prioritizes mental health and supports those in need. Please consider donating to our team’s fundraising efforts. Every contribution brings us one step closer to a world where talking about mental health is the norm, and where everyone has the support they need. Thank you. https://lnkd.in/eQfDbQQ8

REMINDER! Please support by registering for NAMI Walks and/or donating! See below for more details!

Serving as the Board President for Nami Pierce County, I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to provide advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. Our core tenets, represented as three sides of a triangle are as follows: 1. Advocacy: Be the voice that stands up for, and advocates on behalf of, our neighbors in Pierce County by pushing for a much more robust and comprehensive behavioral health system at both the state and local level. 2. Awareness: Elevate the conversations surrounding mental illness by providing a forum to learn and discuss the nuances of behavioral health through empathy-driven awareness. 3. Connection: Foster a stigma-free community support environment that has room at the table for everyone facing the daily realities of mental illness, regardless of background As a nonprofit, the main sources of funding are threefold: grants, endowments, and community fundraising. Grants and endowments are critical sources of sustained funding for NAMI’s daily operations, like support programs and community gatherings. And while generous and impactful, at the end of the day they’re more-or-less an exercise in grant writing. What makes community fundraising so unique is that it captures the ethos of our core tenets, enabling the community to join us in advancing NAMI’s fundamental mission. Donating to a worthy cause is inherently an act of advocacy; it raises awareness with your peers and actively deepens NAMI’s connection with the community. It's the reason we have a passion for community fundraising – it allows us to grow our tent a little more each time. If this is a cause you feel is worthy of your support, consider donating a few bucks to the link below, if you aren’t in a position right now to donate, but still want to participate, come join us in walking the Kirkland marina park! It’ll be a fun party. Free event, kids welcome, bring the dog. https://lnkd.in/ejZtBs94

To my mentors, friends, and community: Today, I’m reaching out with a humble request—not for myself, but for my kids at Life-Line Colorado. These young people are walking the same difficult path I once did, and now more than ever, they need our support. https://lnkd.in/gF76xfDs The science is clear: early intervention and community-based programs dramatically reduce youth recidivism. Research shows that young people who receive mentorship, education, and support are far less likely to return to criminal activity. In fact, according to studies by the U.S. Department of Justice, these types of interventions can lower recidivism rates by up to 40%. Life-Line Colorado is doing exactly that—offering a lifeline to youth at risk of being caught in this cycle. But this mission takes resources. I’m asking for your help. Whether it’s through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, your action can make a difference. You helped me, and now together, we can help them. With deep gratitude, Christian Andrade #Gratitude #YouthRecidivism #CommunitySupport #LifeLineColorado #Mentorship #GivingBack

What a wild 2023!!! Your accomplishments in the past year are the foundation that you get to build upon in 2024. Check out the link below to learn about some big wins from Future Full of Hope, PLLC in 2023 as we prepare to come in hot to 2024!!!

September of Support: Strengthening Connections for Veterans As we enter Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, the Veteran Social Club (VSC) is dedicated to enhancing the lives of our veterans through meaningful connections and community engagement. The "September of Support" fundraising campaign seeks to raise $5,000 to sustain and expand our programs that foster camaraderie, encourage physical activity, and promote community service among veterans. Your donation will directly impact the lives of veterans, providing them with spaces and opportunities to connect, heal, and grow. During Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, the Veteran Social Club is committed to uplifting our veterans by creating spaces where they can find support and camaraderie. Suicide prevention isn't just about awareness—it's about action. By providing veterans with opportunities to engage in social interaction, physical activities, and community service, we can make a tangible difference in their lives. Your contribution to the "September of Support" campaign will help us continue offering these vital programs. Whether it’s through our weekly meetups, fitness initiatives, or volunteer projects, your donation ensures that veterans have the resources they need to thrive. This September, let's come together to create a supportive environment where veterans feel connected and valued. Every dollar you give strengthens the bonds within our veteran community and builds a lasting impact. #VeteranSupport #SeptemberOfSupport #SuicidePreventionMonth

In this week's Waypoints article I address Respite care. From the article: The primary goal of respite care is to allow the primary caregiver to rest, recharge, and tend to their needs. Caring for a child with a disability can be physically, emotionally, and financially taxing, and respite can offer a vital reprieve, reducing the risk of burnout. In a perfect world, this break will help caregivers reduce their stress, at least for a little while. It could also enhance their health and well-being and ultimately provide improved care for their children. Organizations like A Mother's Rest Charitable Respite Foundation, The Lucas Project, Child Neurology Foundation, and ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center are doing the best they can to help families like mine. As nonprofits they can't do it alone. They need the support of donors. Corporations I'm looking at you - after all, it's your employees who are going to benefit the most... https://lnkd.in/evhjtbu8

Did you wake up today and feel like life is just not worth living? Well, I hope not. But just for a moment as you read that question, you might have glimpsed an insight into the dark world that many people suffering from mental health disorders can face on a daily basis. And unlike the physical health ups and downs that we all experience as a normal part of life, untreated mental health issues can spread like its inky blackness to all corners of a person's life for many years. There are many noble causes to champion, but it is the invisible and life long suffering that I have seen in good people with mental health issues that really concerns me, and especially young people in the complex world we have created for them to live in. I'd like to ask you to help me do something about it. This year is my fourth year leading a team of Port Melbourne legends in the Push Up Challenge. It's a simple thing (sort of). We each do one push up for every life lost to suicide last year over 24 days, and ask you to donate to the cause. Unfortunately that means each of us needs to do 3,249 push-ups, but we will get there! To donate go to my challenge page: https://lnkd.in/gpNeD8DP And of course, you will get a receipt to claim as your donation is tax deductible. My donations are going to Headspace. Even if you don't donate, thanks for reading this far and spending a moment focusing on mental health. Perhaps you know someone to ask RUOK.

Help Us Continue Saving Lives! The passage of Proposition 1 in California is a grave concern for The Priority Center. Our vital and life-saving Adults In-Home Crisis Program is being dismantled, leaving some of the most dependent members of our community vulnerable. The diversion of 30% of mental health program funding to state programs, amounting to a $2.2 million loss in funding to The Priority Center, is beyond devastating. We at The Priority Center are deeply worried about the individuals who rely on us most. Without our support, at-risk children and families are left without the life-saving assistance they desperately need. Stories like Chris's highlight the profound impact of our services: “In my darkest hour, The Priority Center's Adult In-Home Crisis Program was my beacon of light. They didn't just save me; they gave me a second chance at life.” - Chris, 30. In response, we are launching our Emergency Fund for Hope campaign. This is a critical effort to continue changing lives and offering second chances, just like we did for Chris. We are committed to fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves and giving a voice to communities that are too often overlooked. Your donation can make a world of difference. Please consider contributing and being a part of this important campaign. Together, we can ensure hope for tomorrow. https://lnkd.in/gaY84VPV #Prop1 #ThePriorityCenter #Donate

Domestic violence is a community problem, and we need community support to help families heal and break the cycle. In Indianapolis, neighborhoods with the highest rates of poverty also have the highest rates of domestic violence, and it’s getting worse. The impact of abuse stretches over generations – threatening community safety and raising children more likely to abuse, be abused, succumb to substance use disorder, or die by suicide. Without support, the cycle of domestic violence will continue to hurt families and our community. You can help survivors in Indianapolis get their lives back by donating at coburnplace.org/freshstart. Your gift will go toward getting apartments ready for new families, helping them stay maintained, and offering the life-changing programs families need to create a fresh start. You can make a difference.