The SHINE Initiative

Future Goals

1. To increase the number of Student Wellness Advisory Teams (SWAT) in high schools and middle schools in Central Massachusetts.

2. To increase the number of mental health forums and trainings for teacher/staff/parents/guardians.

3. To conduct a series of student mental health and wellness summits in Central Massachusetts in the spring of 2019.

4. To restructure and redesign The SHINE Initiative website to include platforms for direct interactive engagement with schools across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

5. To play a lead role in the development and implementation of a community-wide mental health and wellness awareness campaign in the city of Worcester and the Central MA region. 

Fundraising Events/Opportunities

The SHINE Initiative hosts the following fundraisers:

KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN – Held annually in October, this event features a keynote speaker, live and silent auction, raffles, dinner and entertainment, and award ceremony. It is open to the public and donors are welcome to purchase tickets, to serve as sponsors, and to contribute items for auction bid.

QUARTER MILE CAMPAIGN – This annual campaign, coordinated with support from the employees of Fidelity Bank, accepts contributions from patrons and the community-at-large throughout the months of May (National Mental Health Month) and June to support mental health education in schools and youth-serving organizations.

MICHAEL’S RUN – Held annually in October, this event remembers Michael Wallace, a scholar-athlete from Leominster, who disappeared in 2002 after struggling with depression. Details can be found at www.michaelsrun.org

Giving Opportunities

Support from business, civic organizations, corporations and individuals, including on-line contributions via the SHINE Initiative website, are welcomed and accepted year-round. Sponsorships for our major fundraising events are welcomed and appreciated. For information, contact Paul Richard, executive director, at 978-870-1494.

Volunteer Opportunities

The SHINE Initiative welcomes opportunities to speak to business and civic organizations and schools, including colleges and universities. Representatives from these institutions are invited to contact the SHINE Initiative to coordinate awareness and education programming and speaker forums.

Mental health conditions affect nearly everyone, directly or indirectly. By promoting a true understanding of the causes, signs, symptoms of mental health conditions, and the promotion of mental wellness, we break through stigma and open the doors to recovery and a healthy and hopeful future.   

– Edward Manzi, Jr., Board Chair