Mission

Mission

Will for Hope is a non-profit organization committed to offering hope to individuals and families impacted by mental illness through awareness, education, and action.

Started by the Hudson family in 2019, Will for Hope provides funding to support educational and interactive mental health programs. Our programs bring young people and their loved ones together to connect and learn how to best navigate and support one another through mental health challenges. By partnering with churches in multiple cities across the southeast, we are able to host informative mental health presentations, panels as well as small groups through the churches and counseling centers. We hope to normalize conversations around mental health so people have the tools and resources they need to seek help.

Our Values

Family Focused: We believe family support is essential to the mental well-being of individuals as well as their family members
Empathy: We believe there should be no stigma or shame surrounding mental illness
Faith: We believe faith is important for healing and hope

Our Efforts

Organize Mental Health Awareness workshops designed to educate and provide guidance for those suffering and their loved ones
Assist in access to mental health services, especially for those in need of immediate support
Offer Peer-to-Peer/Mentoring support that connects those experiencing a mental health crisis or loss to those who have undergone similar struggles
Provide scholarship funding for inpatient mental health services for those that cannot afford treatment

To learn about Will for Hope’s 5-Year Vision, 3-Year Strategic Objectives and 2023 Annual Goals, please click here to download it.

5-Year Vision

Sponsor 9 mental health awareness programs with the goal of normalizing conversations around mental health, breaking down the stigma, and ultimately reducing suicides
Connect those suffering and their families to behavioral health resources and to mentors/peers that can help
Double funding ($100,000 annual budget) from diverse funding and strong community awareness
Build an 11-13 member Board, increase volunteers, paid staff, and grow partnerships with churches and behavioral health organizations to expand impact

3-Year Strategic Objectives

Partnering with churches in delivering 2 family-focused awareness programs in Atlanta, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach while creating online content and programming that can be utilized by other churches and schools, developing a Train-the Trainer program, and creating Peer-to-Peer support groups
Partnering with and supporting Behavioral Health organizations to make it easier for those in need and their caregivers to access mental health care, including an expanded scholarship program to help fund those that cannot afford these resources
At least $80,000 total raised from a combination of fundraising events in all 3 cities that rotate, increased corporate sponsorships and individual giving and foundation support
7-9 member Board appropriately engaged, including efforts to build community awareness and access needed resources
Part-time Executive Director with additional volunteers, including volunteers on Board Committees and Task Forces, and helping to organize program and fundraising events
Build further awareness of WFH via more frequent social media engagement, community outreach, and promotion/PR of programs and fundraising events

2023 Annual Goals

Conduct a church-based awareness event in Atlanta, Columbia & Myrtle Beach (explore having one fundraising event on same week)
Recruit and properly onboard 4-5 new Board members in January with a rep(s) from each city with mental health, marketing & more nonprofit experience
Develop an effective Committee Structure and each Committee develops goals for 2023 to support the plan
Enhance the website, especially with immediate resources if someone is in need with resources for those suffering and loved ones
Conduct a Music fundraising event in Myrtle Beach in late summer or early Fall
Create ‘talking points’/elevator speech for board members, and develop a condensed annual report at the end of 2023
Conduct year-end funding campaign w/ options to give, including employer matching giving
Seek grant funding to expand programming, including Train-the-Trainer
Document success stories
Enhance the frequency of communication to stakeholders (quarterly newsletter with tips and links to resources) and increased social media presence
100% Board giving
Provide board training – including key roles and fundraising
Expand partnerships in GA and SC with mental health facilities and resources (see below) to provide mental health services
Develop a formal volunteer program including subject matter experts on Board Committees (first identifying key tasks to be performed)
Begin individual giving campaigns, including Giving Tuesday, Amazon Smile and Facebook Fundraiser
Develop capacity for live-streaming programs
Proactively seek donations during presentations
Finalize logic model and evaluation process for outcomes tracking
Partner with Georgia DBHDD and South Carolina Department of Mental Health to get updated resources and seek their endorsement
Expand the need-based scholarship fund to other in-patient treatment organizations
Begin developing a Train-the-Trainer program for 2024 (if funding is available begin in late 2023)
Develop a plan for a Peer-to-Peer support network

Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: It is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken”.

C.S. Lewis

TAKE A STAND

Ask others to stop promoting stigma and using hurtful language. Keep in mind the best way to stop others from promoting stigma is to educate them about mental health and to let them know how their words and actions hurt others.

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Learn about mental health issues and the devastating effects of stigma. Ask someone who has openly shared about their mental health issues what their experience is like. Knowledge is a powerful tool for dispelling myths and stereotypes. Share your knowledge.

BE AN ALLY

Think of a friend or family member you have been concerned about. Call them to see how they are feeling. If someone you know exhibits sudden changes in behavior or is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out to them and make every effort to ensure that they get help.

END THE SILENCE

If you have been feeling down, stressed, or anxious, call or meet with a trusted friend or family member and tell them how you are feeling. Remember that when you speak about your experience with mental illness, you give others permission to share their experiences.