InnerAct Alliance and its youth coalition partner, UthMpact, are proud
to have been awarded a $10,000 Impact Polk grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation to address problems related to youth mental health.
InnerAct Alliance will use the funds to support efforts of the UthMpact Leadership Program, which brings together young leaders representing every high school in Polk County and nearly every walk of life, to work proactively in schools and in the community. The “UthMpact Leadership’s Focus on Youth Mental Health” project will endeavor to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, encourage self-care, and promote equity by smashing common stereotypes and championing tolerance among teens. UthMpact members will create dynamic virtual messaging featuring profiles of teens who represent different ethnic/racial backgrounds and highlight cultural differences while underscoring similarities. Another objective will offer mental health moments in which teens will share strategies to reduce stress and suggest community resources to peers.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of the GiveWell Community Foundation to help broaden the reach of UthMpact Leadership Program’s messaging and social norms efforts,” said Angie Ellison, executive director of InnerAct Alliance.
"We are pleased to award this Impact Polk grant to InnerAct Alliance's UthMpact program on behalf of the George W. Jenkins Fun," said John Attaway, GiveWell Community Foundation's President/CEO. "After a particularly isolating year, providing mental health resources to our community is critical. So, to, is combatting the stigma that prevents people from getting the care and support that they need."
InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency established in 1985 in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The agency serves Hardee, Highlands and Polk County with prevention services including science-based education for elementary and middle school and awareness events that touch the lives of youth, adults, families, businesses, faith-based organizations and others in need with an important substance abuse prevention message. InnerAct Alliance serves as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult) and UthMpact (youth) Coalitions for a Drug-Free Polk, collaborations which lead proactive community efforts to reduce underage use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
The mission of the GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is to champion charitable giving to improve the quality of life in the areas we serve, both now and for future generations. We accomplish this by working with individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to build stronger communities in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties through charitable funds and competitive grant cycles. Since its founding in 1997, the community foundation has awarded more than $230 million in grants. Today, GWCF is home to more than 300 charitable funds and the Impact Polk and Empower Polk grant cycles. To learn more about GWCF, visit givecf.org or call 863-683-3131.
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