EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hundreds of children who face family and personal behavioral health challenges will get to attend camp next year, thanks to community support that raised $235,000 at Compass Health’s Building Communities of Hope Gala on September 14.
The proceeds raised will directly benefit Compass Health’s two camp programs for children who face significant personal behavioral health challenges and family chemical dependency issues – Camp Outside the Box and Camp Mariposa. As illustrated in a new video unveiled at the event, the camps help children bond over shared experiences, reduce isolation, gain coping and pro-social skills, and have the opportunity to enjoy a happy camp experience.
The charity event, presented by Coast Property Management and the Martyn Family Foundation, brought together 430 community members who helped surpass both fundraising and attendance goals.
The gala also featured renowned suicide prevention and mental health advocate, author and documentary filmmaker Kevin Hines as its keynote speaker.
Hines delivered an inspiring talk that shared his personal story and message of hope as one of the few people to survive a suicide attempt from the Golden Gate Bridge. He also discussed his own mental health struggles as a teenager and encouraged attendees to help fund critical youth programs that create brighter futures and saves lives.
“We were honored to have Kevin Hines as our keynote speaker this year,” said Tom Sebastian, president and chief executive officer for Compass Health. “He lit up the room with his inspiring messages of hope, reducing the stigma of receiving care, and encouraging people to support each other. Together, our community is improving thousands of lives, starting with these transformational camps.”
Both children’s camps are led by mental health professionals and counselors from Compass Health and administered through Compass Health’s Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) program. The WISe program provides comprehensive behavioral health services and support to children with complex behavioral health needs, as well as their families.
Camp Outside the Box is a therapeutic summer program available to 120 youth from the WISe Program. The activities assist campers in relationship-building, learning communications skills and building pro-social behaviors and self-esteem.
Camp Mariposa – held in partnership with the Moyer Foundation – is a free addiction prevention and mentoring program serving youth who are impacted by substance abuse in their families. Camp Mariposa organizers hold multiple weekend camps per year, offering traditional camp activities combined with educational exercises led by trained mentors. The camp is available to children statewide and not just those within the Compass Health system. It also offers additional mentoring services and support for youth, teens and their families year-round.
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the community and our sponsors,” said Tom Kozaczysnki, chief development and communications officer for Compass Health. “The outpouring of donations will ensure that more than 200 kids can attend our specialized camp programs next year. This wouldn’t be possible without the community’s support.”
About Compass Health:
Compass Health is Northwest Washington’s behavioral healthcare leader. The organization integrates behavioral health and medical care services to support clients and communities when and where they are needed. Building on a century of experience, Compass Health is forging new, nationally recognized models of care that bring together highly skilled mental health professionals, primary care providers, peer counselors and others to treat the entire person. From comprehensive mental health treatment to crisis intervention, children’s services and community education, Compass Health serves people of all ages throughout Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.
Learn more: www.compasshealth.org