IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WLUC)—Community Foundations across the Upper Peninsula play a quiet but major role in our communities’ operations.
More than money- these organizations provide support, guidance, and connections.
In Iron Mountain, the Dickinson Area Community Foundation, with its support for The Cure, propels a positive mental health movement for adolescents.
A two-year-old non-profit in Iron Mountain is making waves in the community by giving adolescents a safe space to grow, thrive, and make connections.
Skyler Southwick says, “It’s changed my life being here. It really has. I don’t know where I’d be today without it.”
The Cure promotes mental health and empowers teens through workshops, support programs, and life coaching.
Skyler Southwick has been going there for a year and a half. She tells Tia Trudgeon she initially sought out socialization but didn’t realize she’d learn so much more.
“Coming here has taught me boundaries… a little over a year ago I left my aunt and this place was a haven. I was able to gather resources from here and find people to live with…”
Based on a community assessment need, Heather Ruesch found that kids in Dickinson County experience poor mental health at higher rates than the rest of the state. Two years ago, she took action to change this.
Reusch explains, “Accessibility to quality services and information and a community of other students where they can come together and trust that they are in a safe place where they can work and cope and strategize and learn new tools to live a better life. That’s why this program exists”
However, it wouldn’t exist without initial support from the Dickinson Area Community Foundation.
“What I love about the Community Foundation is that, not only do we grant scholarships in the community, we work on collaboration,” explains CEO Tamara Juul. “Initially before Heather opened the doors, we were talking about the need for a place like the cure. So, we called a meeting to discuss mental health and what we can do and how The Cure would help address that problem.”
It wasn’t money that helped The Cure open its doors- but connections and contacts that the Community Foundation had already established.
Reusch says, “I don’t think we would be at the point that we are, two years in, if we didn’t have them.”
Skyler now works at The Cure as a student intern and attributes her self-confidence to its programs.
“It’s just an extra influence, and it’s a positive influence nonetheless. And just coming here day after day, week after week, you’re exposed to people with nothing but kindness to offer you. The more you’re surrounded by love and kindness, the more you start to absorb it.”
On average, 40+ students visit The Cure weekly for workshops, socials, or to do homework and hang out with friends.
Southwick adds, “Because of that, I’m able to reach out to people and also extend that same kindness.”
You can learn more about The Cure and its offerings at youmattertour.org/the-cure.
You can learn more about the Dickinson Area Community Foundation, the organizations it supports, and donate at dickinsonareacommunityfoundation.org.
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