Hope begins with our children.
It’s well known that life conditions during childhood can have a long-term impact into adulthood. This is especially true for mental health challenges, which are more common among youth than many people realize. Thus, the Highland Rivers Foundation offer youth services to help this societal need.
The facts about mental health challenges among youth are not only alarming but underscore the critical importance of access to treatment:
- One-in-five children (20%) ages 13 to 18 live with a mental health condition;
- Up to 50% of students with a mental illness drop out of school;
- 70% of youth in state and local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness
Your gifts to Highland Rivers Foundation support youth services like therapy tools and aids, scholarships for academic tutoring, sports leagues, music lessons, and more. These important building blocks can change the lives of youth who struggle with behavioral health challenges.
If requested, we also work with donors to design programs that target their passion: supporting programs within specific counties, schools or school districts, limited income populations, or programs targeting youth within a specific age range.
Mosaic Place Recovery Center
Hope begins with recovery, and recovery requires support.
Mosaic Place, a program of Highland Rivers Behavioral Health in Polk County, is where individuals with substance use disorders or substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders find a recovery-focused, supportive, peer-led environment. The program also supports families of members in the program.
Mosaic Place provides linkages to community partners for food and household assistance, clothing, transportation, and other family needs. As part of Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, individuals have expedient access to clinical treatment services, crisis intervention and detoxification, residential treatment programs, clinical treatment groups, family counseling, and other services that support healing and recovery.
The staff at Mosaic place are peers in long-term recovery. They conduct peer support groups at the Polk County jail, support individuals in court proceedings and are recognized by local law enforcement agencies as being a resource for individuals in need.
Supporting Mosaic Place via the Highland Rivers Foundation provides vital support for those whose journey is recovery.
Special Project Mini-Grant Fund
Hope begins when we’re able to go above and beyond. Highland Rivers Foundation’s mini-grant programs—not more than $500—allow investment in equipment, supplies and opportunities that can enrich the experience of individuals served at Highland Rivers Behavioral Health. This Highland River Foundation grant fund provides an opportunity to assist people in need.
These mini-grants are created by Highland Rivers staff who, when working closely with individuals, recognize a funding need for special educational outings, a training course, software, books, interactive technology and more, for those served by Highland Rivers Behavioral Health.
To target specific needs that may interest you like mental health, substance use, or intellectual & developmental disabilities, Highland Rivers Foundation officers work with donors like you to design mini-grant funding opportunities focusing on the needs, the community, and the purpose that you may want to fund.
Scholarships
Another component of our mini-grant program are scholarships for our peer workforce. We have staff who have the heart and dedication to improve the lives of others. Assisting them with obtaining advanced degrees improves their ability to advance in our organization and improves the quality of service to those we serve.
Hope begins with employment.
The Recovery to Work program is dedicated to bettering the integrity of our workforce and providing individuals with opportunities. The Highland Rivers Foundation is working to support a healthier workforce by bringing our communities together and improving how individuals seek and maintain gainful employment. This program is a part of a three-year Appalachian Regional Commission INSPIRE grant focused on successful workforce entry or re-entry.
Through our initial phase, we found:
- 51% of the individuals displayed concern about access to employment when transitioning into recovery
- 42%of individuals felt they could not support themselves financially
- 46% were concerned about transportation and housing
The Recovery to Work program provides individuals and employers access to resources curated for their specific needs. Individuals can expect to access a multitude of training options that develop recovery-focused skills. Meanwhile, employers can use a multi-state tool kit designed to create a Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW). If requested, we also work with donors to design programs that target their passion. Passions include but are not limited to: supporting programs within specific counties, schools or school districts, limited income populations, or programs targeting youth within a specific age range.