KyleCares has been selected as the Red Sox Foundation 2020 IMPACT Award winner for the state of Massachusetts. Through the generosity of the Ruderman Family Foundation, the 2020 IMPACT Awards recognize one non-profit organization from each of the six New England states that is dedicated to raising awareness and improving mental health outcomes in their communities.
After being named one of five finalist in Massachusetts competing for the coveted award on June 9, Red Sox fan voting over the next 13 days determined the first place winner. KyleCares will receive a $10,000 charitable contribution from the Red Sox and Ruderman Family Foundations, and the organization will be honored during a check presentation ceremony prior to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park later this year.
“We are extremely grateful to the Red Sox Foundation and the Ruderman Family Foundation, not only for the grant which enables us to continue our work assisting high schools and colleges implement mental health and suicide prevention programs, but also for shining a light on mental health and the need for all of us to help those who may be struggling”, said KyleCares Co-Founder Sue Johnson.
KyleCares aims to eliminate student self-harm and suicide by creating high school and college environments where students and their caregivers have the confidence and support to seek help without shame or hesitation. They do so by connecting schools with mental health resources, facilitating long-term, comprehensive strategies to address student mental health, and funding school-based mental health education, awareness, and suicide prevention programs.
In the last year, KyleCares has brought 45 mental health workshiops, training, and stigma-breaking programs to 10 New England high schools and colleges, directly engaging more than 600 students, 390 faculty, and 275 parents in mental health education and awareness building.
For more information on the Red Sox Foundation please visit www.redsoxfoundation.org.
For more information on the Ruderman Family Foundation please visit www.rudermanfoundation.org.
