PRESTON BROWN FOUNDATION

FOR TAX YEAR 2024 THE FOUNDATION HONED IN ON 3 MAJOR PROJECTS: 1)R.E.F.U.E.L - PARTERNING WITH SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN UNDERSERVED AREAS, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED HEALTHY SNACKS, HYDRATION, MENTAL WELLNESS, EDUCATION AND SELF CARE ACTIVITIES TO 425 STUDENTS AT NO COST, (REST, EAT, FUN, UNITY, EXERCISE, LOVE). BY PARTERNING WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS IN UNDERSERVED AREAS THE FOUNDATION IS ABLE TO REFUEL STUDENT THE STUDENTS. PROMOTING OPTIMAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING WHILE TACKLING STIGMA REDUCTION. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS MISSION THROUGH DONATIONS,SUPPORTING AND ESTABLISHING MENTORING PROGRAMS. 2) YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID: THIS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EVIDENCE-BASED EARLY INTERVENTION PUBLIC EDUCATION TRAINING,IS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR PROGRAM THAT SEVERED OVER 600 STUDENTS. IT PARTNERS STUDENTS AND ADULTS AND TEACHES ADULTS HOW TO RECOGNIZED THE SYMPTOMS THAT SUGGEST A POTENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE. IT TEACHES TO LISTEN NONJUNGMENTALLY, GIVE REASSURANCE TO A YOUNG PERSON AND REFER ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES TO APPROPRAITE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT. THE FOUNDATION USES THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EVIDENCE BASED, EARLY INTERVENTION PUBLIC EDUCATION TROUGH TRANING AS ITS MODE FOR THIS PROGRAM. THE FOUNDATION TRAINS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS BOTH IN PERSON AND REMOTELY TO ASSIST IN THIS AREA. THE FOUNDATION FOCUS ON BUILDING A CULTURE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT, INCREASING CAPACITY OF ADULTS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND STIGMA REDUCTION. 3) RALLY CHAMPS: A UNIQUE MENTORING PROGRAM WHICH MATCHES STUDENTS AGES 9- 18 YRS WITH A CARING ADULT TO SERVE AS A POSITIVE INFLUENCE AND BE PRESENT AT THEIR ACTIVITIES PROVIDING PRAISE AND ENCOURGEMENT. WE PARTNER WITH NORTH COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY 20 STUDENTS IN THR PROGRAM. STUDIES SHOW RELATIONSHIPS WITH CARING ADULTZ IS THE PRIMARY PROTECTIVE FACTOR OF YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH. WE TRY TO FOCUS ON SOCIAL WELLNESS DIMENSION AND THE SENSE OF BELONGING.