Grant to Support Efforts Towards Education and Prevention for Educators and Parents
GROSSE POINTE, Mich., (24 January 2019)– Kevin’s Song, a local non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about the causes of suicide and preventative measures, has received a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to support its outreach efforts for suicide awareness and prevention.
This funding will be used to produce the second in a series of suicide awareness and prevention films; this one for use by administrators, counselors and teachers in middle and high schools throughout Michigan. The film, which is the centerpiece of a comprehensive information and training program, will be introduced at the Kevin’s Song School Summit in January of 2020 in conjunction with the annual Kevin’s Song Conference on Suicide.
The School Summit is a new initiative for Kevin’s Song, with the objectives being: 1)shine a light on the need for suicide awareness and prevention in Michigan schools; 2) bring together public, private, parochial and charter school leaders to share research, best practices, discuss needs and present creative and tested options; 3)provide educators with tools they can take back for use in their communities and schools.
“Michigan is one of the few remaining states in our country where suicide prevention training for schools isn’t mandated,” said Kevin’s Song Co-Founder, Gail Urso. “Meanwhile, the suicide rate among Michigan youth between the ages of 10-24 years of age has surpassed the national average. Clearly, this is an epidemic that must be addressed, and this is just one way we can try to do our part.”
ABOUT KEVIN’S SONG
Kevin’s Song is a charitable organization dedicated to generating public awareness about the causes of suicide, its prevalence in our society and possible preventive measures. As an organization, Kevin’s Song is creating a working community of professionals and advocates that is being recognized as an important resource in the metropolitan Detroit area for offering knowledge, hope and healing to individuals, families and communities touched by suicide. For more information, please visit kevinssong.org.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a full-service philanthropic organization leading the way to positive change in our region. As a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations, the Foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development, and civic affairs. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $1 billion through nearly 67,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. For more information, please visit www.cfsem.org.