The Metropolitan Football Stadium District Funding may be used for a variety of youth activities programs. One category the Douglas County Youth Initiative and Douglas County Youth Commission are exploring is Mental Health. Proposals submitted that fit into this category can be found below.
Project Name: Equine Therapy for Douglas County Youth Mental Health
Funding Amount Requested: $50,000.00
Funding Awarded: $50,000
Response to Application Questions
1. Describe the agency/organization applying for this funding.
Robins Nest’s mission is to help youth suffering from mental, emotional and physical needs with our licensed therapist Mallory Nicklas and Natalie Wittstruck. We also offer team building and volunteer work for middle schools and high schools.
2. Describe the need for this funding. What is the problem/opportunity this program/project would address?
Finances will fund therapists and materials for projects. Our biggest challenge is accomodating youth who can’t afford but reallly need therapy such as kids that have anxiety, depression, trauma, transgender transition, and social media bullying.
3. What are the goals of the project? How many Douglas County youth will be impacted and what specific impacts or benefits will they receive?
The goal is to continue existing programs for the youth of Douglas County. This funding will benefit 300+ students in the next year. Benefits include reduction in attempted suicide, gaining self-confidence, and obtaining a sense of belonging.
4. How would this effort promote access to programs and activities for youth who are underserved in the Douglas County community?
We currently work with Douglas County school counselors and juvenile court system to identify underserved youth. These professionals have visited Robin’s Nest and have a direct line of communication with our program director.
5. How will the effort be promoted to Douglas County youth?
Our outreach program was promoted on 9News: https://www.9news.com/amp/article/news/local/douglas-county-farm-owner-help-teens-mental-health/73-36991f32-c0
School counselors will promote through newsletters. We will promote via local social media.
6. How will this project be sustainable and continue to support Douglas County youth after this one-time funding source? What are the plans for the program long term?
Robin’s Nest strives to obtain funding annually through golf tournaments, DCCF grants, Richard Reed foundation grants, Mini-Derby, and private donations through our annual fundraisers. As we gain recognition, we are seeking corporate sponsors.
Project Name: The FullCircle Program – Douglas County Chapter
Funding Amount Requested: $48,000.00
Funding Awarded: $48,000
Response to Application Questions
1. Describe the agency/organization applying for this funding.
We are a non-profit 12 step based, enthusiastic approach, recovery community organization serving at risk youth and their families. We provide support through individual/group meetings for youth/family and social events for youth at no cost.
2. Describe the need for this funding. What is the problem/opportunity this program/project would address?
In Douglas County, 1 in 5 youth face mental health challenges, 15% of youth are grappling with substance use disorders. FullCircle will look to address this by establishing a safe and confidential support network/space where young people can connect.
3. What are the goals of the project? How many Douglas County youth will be impacted and what specific impacts or benefits will they receive?
Decreases in self-harm incidents, substance misuse, and harmful behaviors. Increases in mental health, positive coping skills, seeking of professional help. Since 2022 we have served over 50 Douglas county families and expect a 50% increase.
4. How would this effort promote access to programs and activities for youth who are underserved in the Douglas County community?
FullCircle being more accessible in Douglas county will provide the underserved within the community free local services. It works as a support/referral center for families, treatment centers, community partners, and mental health professionals.
5. How will the effort be promoted to Douglas County youth?
FullCircle would collaborate with schools, community centers, and local mental health organizations. Utilizing social media, workshops, and outreach events to raise awareness about its effectiveness in supporting youth/families struggling.
6. How will this project be sustainable and continue to support Douglas County youth after this one-time funding source? What are the plans for the program long term?
We are actively seeking additional funding opportunities, engaging in partnerships with local stakeholders, and using community support to ensure the continuation and growth of our program beyond the initial grant period.
Project Name: Happy Crew Mental Health Training
Funding Amount Requested: $10,000.00
Funding Awarded: $10,000
Response to Application Questions
1. Describe the agency/organization applying for this funding.
Happy Crew’s mission: to destigmatize mental health issues and end teen suicide by creating community and sharing the message, “You Matter, You Belong”. We equip teens with evidence–based strategies, building resiliency and strength in teens.
2. Describe the need for this funding. What is the problem/opportunity this program/project would address?
Suicide is the number one cause of death in Colorado for people aged 10-24. Together, we have an opportunity to impact this horrifying statistic. Happy Crew empowers teens to confront difficult emotional storms with proven tools.
3. What are the goals of the project? How many Douglas County youth will be impacted and what specific impacts or benefits will they receive?
We work with hundreds of teens a year. Our goal is to educate in an inclusive community, increasing mental wellness skills. Teens learn life changing tools to impact their lives, and they learn how to help friends without becoming codependent
4. How would this effort promote access to programs and activities for youth who are underserved in the Douglas County community?
All teens are welcome to join the leadership team. After training, they take responsibility for leading groups. Underserved teens have an opportunity to create inclusive community, and learn leadership skills that will take them into their future.
5. How will the effort be promoted to Douglas County youth?
Crew members handing out stickers and invitations at school, social media platform posts, and partnerships with Douglas County high schools, clubs and organizations.
6. How will this project be sustainable and continue to support Douglas County youth after this one-time funding source? What are the plans for the program long term?
Happy Crew is funded by donors and grants. We are raising capital to open a coffee shop/community hub/art and performance space that is open to all, everyday and where we follow the value of Kakou: speak the language of we.
Project Name: Mane Mission 2023/24 Operational Support
Funding Amount Requested: $20,800.00
Funding Awarded: $20,800
Response to Application Questions
1. Describe the agency/organization applying for this funding.
The Mane Mission is a 3 yr old non profit that focuses on the mental health of adults and youth in crisis and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We offer individual and group counseling and day program services .
2. Describe the need for this funding. What is the problem/opportunity this program/project would address?
We are a grassroots organization that has grown beyond the capacity for the 2 original founders to maintain! We have hosted and served 400 people with disabilities thus far in 2023 as well as approximately 75 Douglas County adults and teens.
3. What are the goals of the project? How many Douglas County youth will be impacted and what specific impacts or benefits will they receive?
By increasing our staffing, our goal is to be able to continue to provide exceptional service to our area residents, both those with and without challenges. Our counseling impact is in the 100 person range and the I/DD community around 60 in DC.
4. How would this effort promote access to programs and activities for youth who are underserved in the Douglas County community?
Our goal is to serve the underserved in DC and beyond. We do not charge a monetary fee for any of our services. We work closely with our area schools to address crisis and trauma and preventative mental health. We also love our I/DD community!
5. How will the effort be promoted to Douglas County youth?
If we are granted funds to hire additional staff, we will advise all of our area partners (schools and the I/DD community organizations) of increased availability and services at The Mane Mission.
6. How will this project be sustainable and continue to support Douglas County youth after this one-time funding source? What are the plans for the program long term?
If we are able to hire a part – time counselor / program manager, and allow him/her the opportunity to start their own individual practice, it it our plan that they will be self sustaining in 1 year.
