GECU AND TRELLIS FOUNDATION GENEROUSLY SUPPORT EL PASO-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY YOUTH INITIATIVES

GECU AND TRELLIS FOUNDATION GENEROUSLY SUPPORT C@R EL PASO-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY YOUTH INITIATIVES

Media Contact: Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577

We are pleased to announce two significant grants from El Paso-based funders, each providing $50,000 to advance our crucial work at CHILDREN AT RISK. These grants will bolster our efforts in supporting children’s mental health and advocating for Opportunity Youth across Texas.

With the generous support from the GECU and Trellis Foundations, CHILDREN AT RISK is poised to make significant strides in addressing the mental health needs of children in El Paso and advocating for Opportunity Youth across Texas. Stay informed as we continue to drive these strategic efforts forward and work towards a brighter future for all children and young adults in our El Paso community.

GECU Foundation Supports Children’s Mental Health in El Paso

We are deeply grateful to the GECU Foundation for their $50,000 commitment to our “Responding to Childhood Trauma – El Paso” project. This initiative aims to enhance our understanding of mental health’s impact on educational outcomes and address service gaps for children in El Paso. By ensuring that Texas’ policies reflect community insights, we can develop more effective solutions for the mental health challenges faced by children.

This project is critical, given the current children’s mental health crisis in Texas and specifically in El Paso. Consider these alarming statistics:

1. El Paso has the lowest availability of therapists for supporting Hispanic communities in the U.S. (source: Counseling Psychology).
2. In 2023, 75% of youth with major depression in Texas did not receive any mental health treatment, ranking the state 51st out of 52 nationwide (source: SAMHSA).

These statistics highlight the urgency of our work. If you would like to support this effort, please click here.

Trellis Foundation Advances Advocacy for Opportunity Youth

We are excited to announce that the Trellis Foundation has awarded CHILDREN AT RISK a generous $50,000 grant to support our statewide Opportunity Youth & Young Adult Advocacy efforts. As we gear up for the 89th Legislative Session, our focus will be on advocating for Opportunity Youth & Young Adults—those between the ages of 16-24 who are neither in school nor employed.

Opportunity Youth face unique challenges and require urgent support in housing, nutritional needs, mental and physical health care, educational opportunities, and career pathways that provide a living wage. Despite the struggles of many teens and young adults, there is a significant lack of localized data on how many youth and young adults have become disconnected.

This grant will enable us to continue our vital work, ensuring these young individuals have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We thank the Trellis Foundation for partnering with us in this critical mission.