Bend, Don't Break grant awards
announced
Olympia Middle School FFA award recipient
Send a link to a friend
[February 25, 2024]
The
Illinois Foundation FFA, in partnership with the Illinois Department
of Agriculture and Farm Family Resource Initiative SIU School of
Medicine Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development,
announced Bend, Don’t Break grant funding to Illinois FFA chapters
to support local initiatives to increase awareness of mental health
and wellness in schools and communities.
“Bend, Don’t Break grant funding is critical to advancing
information about the importance of mental health,” said Jerry
Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
“This partnership empowers local FFA chapters with needed resources
to address their community’s mental health needs.”
The following chapters were selected to receive a $1,000 grant:
Arcola FFA Chapter
Calhoun FFA Chapter
Cambridge FFA Chapter
Edwards County FFA Chapter
Galva FFA Chapter
Maroa-Forsyth FFA chapter
Newark FFA Chapter
Odin FFA Chapter
Olympia Middle School FFA Chapter
Pecatonica FFA Chapter
Shelbyville FFA Chapter
Shiloh FFA Chapter
Staunton FFA Chapter
Sterling FFA Chapter
Streator FFA Chapter
Vandalia FFA Chapter
Upon completion of the project, each grant recipient will provide a
summary of their event and an overview of the impact it had on
creating increased awareness of mental health and wellness efforts.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/May/02/images/ads/current/guzzardo_lda022609.png)
“The impact this grant is making
in the communities of these FFA Chapters is remarkable. The
opportunity for young leaders to understand the importance of
mental health in their communities is priceless,” said Mindy
Bunselmeyer, Executive Director of the Illinois FFA Center. “As
the goal of the grant is to connect directly with the
agriculture industry, both FFA members and farmers benefit from
the relationships that are being built from the programs this
grant supports." The Farm
Family Resource Initiative provides services to all with a focus on
rural Illinoisans and those in the agriculture industry. Anyone can
confidentially call or text 1-833-FARM-SOS at no cost to talk with
trained a specialist who understands the struggles of farming. Up to
six telehealth counseling sessions with SIU Medicine counselors are
available for those in need of additional support at no cost to the
farmer or farm family member.
“We are pleased to partner with our Illinois FFA Chapters to assist
in the important work we are doing throughout the state as we help
to keep Illinois farm families healthy both physically and
mentally,” said Karen Leavitt Stallman, Ag Resource Specialist with
Farm Family Resource Initiative. “With 1 in 5 teens and young adults
living with a mental health condition, we are encouraged by the
efforts of the FFA Chapters that have been chosen to receive mini
grants.”
To learn more about the resources offered by the SIU School of
Medicine's Farm Family Resource Initiative, please visit siumed.edu/farm/ffri-resources.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |