A Milestone No One Predicted

Feb. 27, Lakewood - Today was not much different than any others at the Second Wind's offices. There were several teens referred for mental health services, an ever increasing number for this 5-year-old Lakewood nonprofit. However, for the 1,000th time, a call was received about a youth at-risk for suicide and uninsured or underinsured.

"When 66 people gathered at Green Mountain Presbyterian Church in 2002 to walk and run following four youth suicides in the area, the idea was to show solidarity with the community," said Jeff Lamontagne, executive director of Second Wind. "However, one by one, early on, organizations like The Jefferson Foundationand Front Range Bank invested in our idea to help more kids at risk for suicide who weren't being served."

Soon, other faith communities, civic organizations and local businesses joined Second Wind in fundraising and support. The decision to help kids, who found themselves struggling with life-and-death issues within the context of financial situations not of their own making, resonated with all people.

The first two years brought a total of 53 students referred. The next two years, referrals totaled between 100 and 200. The past school year, 360 referrals were authorized. In the 2007-08 school year, an amazing 500 referrals are expected from over 250 different schools in the Denver metro area, who are beginning to see the program as a first choice in providing care.

At its core, Second Wind Fund represents the triumph of a community coming together to tackle, with remarkable efficacy and compassion, one of its most challenging subjects.

Each contributor has been a major source of Second Wind's ability to do this work: businesses, large and small. Incredibly generous local and state foundations. Faith communities - evangelical, mainline, liberal and non-Christian. Governments: state, county and city. Most amazingly, it's been thousands and thousands of individuals and families - some touched directly by suicide, who have found the strength to save others pain, as well as families who show an incredible understanding of the universality of this issue.

Investment in the "Next 1,000 Circle"

Second Wind has initiated a call for donations to its "Next 1,000 Circle" endowment campaign, which will ensure that Second Wind can continue funding counseling. Any donation or commitment of $1,000 or more made to Second Wind's endowment through the end of May 2008 will be recognized on the Web site's home page as well as in program brochures under the "Next 1,000 Circle."

For more information, call 303-988-2645 or visit www.thesecondwindfund.org.

Your community. Your Kids.