Uplifting News for Youth Mental Health

In terms of mental health support, youth and teenagers need our help now more than ever before. Untreated mental illness in children and young adults can devastate individuals and destroy their families. The Here4YOUth Initiative of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation launched in 2018 because stakeholders told us one of the biggest needs in our community is access to quality mental health care for children and young adults. Since that time, youth needs have increased.

The Here4YOUth Initiative recently provided two grants to Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the Suncoast, Inc. (JFCS) to expand access to programs that promote mental wellness and prevent substance use among teenagers. “We are proud to partner with JFCS in expanding access to clinicians, support groups, and peer leaders for our young adults at highest risk of substance abuse and mental health concerns,” said Jennifer Johnston, Director of Community Leadership at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “With trusted adults and research-based programs present at this critical time in their lives, their future potential is unlimited!”

Students sit and gather around large butterfly they are drawing.
Camp Mariposa students paint a butterfly.

In April 2022, a $50,000 grant from the Here4YOUth Initiative was awarded to JFCS to expand the Adolescent Diversion and Assistance Program (ADAP) which included doubling the number of youth served and hiring an additional clinician. The goal is to reach additional youth to prevent re-offending, reduce their risk factors, and assist them in creating a more positive path. The ADAP provides prevention and intervention services to Sarasota County residents ages 11-17, who have been charged with a crime or though not formally charged are at risk for involvement in the Juvenile Justice System. JFCS utilizes an evidence-based curriculum for their psycho-educational groups and individual counseling sessions. The ADAP expansion has reconnected the program to the school district and expanded in southern portions of the county. One participant shared, “I learned a lot of stuff about the laws that I did not know about and that my actions affect others around me like my mom and my family.” Another shared, “It was good at teaching me how to cope better with situations and to improve my communication skills.” The ADAP’s goal of 90% of youth having reduced risk factors (substance abuse, running away from home, vandalizing property, or bullying other students), currently stands at 95%, among many other impressive outcomes.

In January 2023, a $50,000 grant from the Here4YOUth Initiative was awarded to JFCS to expand access and supports available through Camp Mariposa Sarasota Teen Camp. Camp Mariposa Sarasota is part of a national mentoring and addiction prevention program for youth who have been impacted by a family member’s substance use disorder. The camp is offered free of charge to all families. This includes transportation, cabin accommodations, three meals per day, art supplies, outdoor challenges, and pay stipends for camp mentors and a camp nurse. Additionally, counseling and case management services are offered to all camp youth and their families.

Over 15 students from Camp Mariposa sit on balcony outdoors.
A group photo of students from Camp Mariposa.

JFCS’ Camp Mariposa provides traditional weekend camp experiences once a month along with education and therapeutic support to camp youth ages 9 -17. The goal is to delay first use of substances by empowering youth. Each camp weekend has a therapeutic theme. Suicide prevention and intervention, increasing resilience, the impact of substance use on physical, emotional-social wellbeing, and standing up against bullying and peer pressure are some of the themes. During camp weekends, campers begin to feel less isolated, experience reduced feelings of shame and guilt, understand substance use disorders, and stop blaming themselves. The peer-to-peer connection creates a special bond among the camp youth and they become a type of family.

The Here4YOUth Initiative of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation is transforming mental health care for Sarasota County youth. Together with community partners and donors, youth mental wellness is being identified in the short and long-term capacity to create a system of care that responds effectively to the mental health needs of all children, youth, and families in Sarasota County.


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