Responding to the Crisis
The Shine Initiative pivoted to supporting students and school faculty virtually with lesson plans, videos, and webinars during this time. We accelerated planned technology improvements to do so. Our most critical need related to COVID-19 is reaching young people directly this summer and fall (if additional restrictions continue) when mental health issues are predicted to be on the rise.
Future Goals
1. To partner with at least 10 new middle and high schools to establish Mindmatters teams (school-based, peer-led mental health advocacy teams).
2. To expand our annual student mental wellness Summit to multiple Summits throughout the year.
3. To increase the number of youth mental health workshops for educators and parents/guardians/caregivers.
4. To conduct a second phase of a PSA (public service announcement) campaign to normalize conversations about mental health.
5. To continue to utilize technology to engage directly with young people in order to support them and to prioritize youth voice.
6. To increase the number of corporate partners who are amplifying and supporting youth mental health.
Fundraising Opportunities
In the Spotlight: an Un-gala for Youth Mental Health. Our major annual fundraising event will take place on October 14th, 2020. Featuring film actor, director, voice artist and producer Sean Astin, who is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and for ending the stigma of mental health. Due to the coronavirus, this event will take place the evening of the 14th either virtually as streaming event or as an in-person event at the AC Marriott Hotel. Contributors may purchase tickets or donate auction items.
Quarter Mile Campaign. An annual campaign, coordinated with support from the employees of Fidelity Bank, that 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 in Central MA.Â
Volunteer Opportunities
Businesses and other volunteers can donate their time to help the small but dedicated Shine Initiative staff to do outreach to schools and districts, to give their time to help support Refresh Days and other activities at Mindmatters schools in their area, and to assist with Youth Mental Wellness Summits and other events. Please contact Jessika Zequeira, Community Education Specialist, to express interest and for more information at
jessika@shineinitiative.org.
Giving Opportunities
Online donations gratefully accepted year-round via shineinitiative.org. Annual appeals both mailed and online include Mental Health Awareness month (May), World Mental Health Day (October) and Giving Tuesday (December).
In-kind donations for Mindmatters teams include office and activity supplies, gardening and mindfulness supplies (i.e. yoga mats), etc., as well as supplies and catering for Youth Mental Health Summits.
Sponsorships for our In the Spotlight fundraiser as well as our Mindmatters teams are always welcome. Please contact Fred Kaelin, executive director, to discuss and for more information.
