July 2022
MESSAGE FROM
MARY DAVIDSON,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It is with gratitude and joy that I am writing my first ‘letter from the executive director’ for Sky’s the Limit Fund (STLF)! I am truly amazed by the warm welcome I received from the staff, the Board of Directors and friends of STLF. After 90 days in this role, I already feel at home! For the last few years, I have been watching Sky’s the Limit Fund grow, expand and earn praises from families around the country. Becoming a part of this organization has been such a blessing and I look forward to many years of collaboration and partnerships with all of you.
Our last year was one for the record books! The amount of funds raised allowed us to serve more families in crisis and to increase the amount of financial support they received. Our goal for the new fiscal year is to keep the pace and continue the growth. With the hard work of the STLF team and all of your support, these goals are a reality.
Thank you for your continued support and welcoming me with open arms. With such a passionate and supportive community, I feel so confident in our ability to achieve our mission. I believe that by working together, we can truly transform lives, reunite families and make a difference in our country’s future.
FEATURED ARTICLE
A PATHWAY TO HOPE THAT HEALS
As we face new challenges, it is very clear that the impact of mental health remains significant. We continue to see a steady flow of applications for financial support with situations more desperate than we have seen before.
The more support we can provide families in need, the better. Please help us continue to break the barrier of cost to wilderness therapy and donate to our Annual Giving Campaign and on the global day of giving, #GivingTuesday on November 29th.
TESTIMONIAL-
“STLF and wilderness therapy have been such a gift to our family. Wilderness therapy saved my son’s life. After the loss of their father, they fell into a deep depression and turned to substances to numb the pain. Wilderness therapy and the team gave them the support, love and tools they needed to have hope for their future and self-love for themselves. STLF provided the support and understanding we needed to allow us to continue their treatment. Wilderness therapy was the only treatment that worked, as they had been through residential inpatient and addiction therapy, which did not help them in a way that was right for them. By giving us the financial support to continue the program, STLF gave my son his life back. We are forever grateful.”
-grant recipient parent
SPRING RECAP
NIGHTLIGHTS! Roaring '22
We came together to celebrate, and to raise awareness and funds, at NIGHTLIGHTS! Roaring ’22 Gala on April 23, 2022. It was a very special evening of incredible costumes and endless conversations and laughter with friends. Thank you to all who attended to make this a very successful and memorable event.
A DAY OF WILDERNESS
A Day of Wilderness was our spring online fundraising campaign. It was an opportunity to come together as a community to support adolescents and young adults struggling with mental health and addiction challenges, to raise awareness about the benefits of wilderness therapy, and to raise funds to make this transformative experience accessible to all families. Thank you to all who contributed and supported A Day of Wilderness. Special thanks to Tami Ann, author of A Wilderness Journey, for contributing 100% of the book proceeds in April to STLF.
OUTREACH
STLF ON THE ROAD
As things began to open up and travel restrictions were lifted, STLF hit the road to meet with Program Partners, industry professionals, and supporters. It was wonderful to see old friends and to meet so many new ones. Thank you everyone for graciously making the time for our visit and/or hosting an event, and for your incredible support of STLF.
PEER TO PEER FUNDRAISERS
There are lots of ways to make good things happen! A peer-to-peer fundraiser joins your personal journey, a race, or a fun event with your desire to help adolescents and young adults in crisis through wilderness therapy. It’s an opportunity to share STLF’s mission with your friends and family and also raise funds. For information about starting your fundraiser, contact info@stlfgives.org.
Throughout July-
Throughout the month of July you can support David Chandler, Field Director at SUWS of the Carolinas, by biking as far as you can for wilderness therapy or donating to his fundraising campaign. Set a goal for the month and share the link with your friends.
PROGRAM PARTNER SPOTLIGHT, NEW VISION WILDERNESS THERAPY AND BLUE RIDGE THERAPEUTIC WILDERNESS
What does our partnership mean to you?
“Everyone should have access to care and treatment, and I think it’s important that we are focused on creating options for families.”
Because of their recent partnership with STLF, I feel even better about the work I’m doing every day with these adolescents and young adults. I’m excited to come to work for each shift knowing my company is dedicated to helping people afford wilderness therapy, and to sharing the magic that happens here at Blue Ridge.”
“Partnering with Sky’s the Limit Fund really does make the sky the limit. Removing financial barriers for our families is incredibly important and I am proud that the program that I work for prioritizes this by partnering with Sky’s the Limit Fund.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that we provide families and young adults participating in the STLF Coaching Service the opportunity to be partially reimbursed for treatment for the youth or young adult in their home community? This may include individual and/or group therapy, counselor/mentor, IOP, psychologist, psychiatrist. This funding helps alleviate the additional financial burden of post wilderness therapy treatment placed on our families. For more information about the Coaching Services, please contact info@stlfgives.org.
“I was so surprised and pleased to receive the check earlier this week! I just can’t even begin to express how grateful we are for this support — and so easily and quickly! As I’ve shared, the STLF program has been SO incredibly helpful and we are SO incredibly appreciative — from the financial support to the invaluable advice, this program has been a life-saver to our family.
With much gratitude,”
WELCOME TO THE STLF TEAM!
Robin Wolthausen
Family Coach
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Corporate Sponsorships
We are very grateful for the support of our Corporate Partners. Through their sponsorships, we continue to break the barrier of cost for wildnerness therapy and transitional support.
Donate
Sky’s the Limit Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax ID 27-2592172). Your tax-deductible donation supports youth in crisis through wilderness therapy and STLF Coaching Service.
Does your company match your contribution? Company matching is an easy way to increase your giving and support to youth and families we serve. Consider making a recurring gift with a monthly or quarterly donation. For information on donating stock or mutual funds, or assistance with your company match, please contact info@stlfgives.org.
Birthday Fundraiser
very day more than 45 million people give birthday wishes on Facebook. Here’s an opportunity to make your birthday more meaningful by creating a fundraiser on behalf of STLF. Start your Facebook birthday fundraiser: 1) go to your Facebook home page, 2) on your news feed, scroll to Fundraisers, 3) select Sky’s the Limit Fund, 4) personalize your story, and 5) share your fundraiser.
Get Involved
Join the STLF community through volunteering. Contact info@stlfgives.org
- Become a Parent Support volunteer and provide much needed support to parents who are beginning their journey.
- Host an event to raise awareness about the benefits of wilderness therapy and STLF’s role in the industry.
- Use your skills to help our organization with marketing, fundraising, outreach, editing and more!
