UPCOMING EVENTS:
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!
SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
As we observe National Suicide Prevention Month this September, we honor the lives lost to suicide and recognize the countless individuals who have faced suicidal thoughts. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention and sharing messages of hope with those affected.
Throughout September and beyond,
lets create hope in our families and community by educating ourselves about suicide prevention. Learn the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, and familiarize yourself with relevant resources on how to support someone considering suicide.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! HELP IS AVAILABLE 24/7. CALL OR TEXT 988
SUICIDE RESOURCES, CRISIS SUPPORT & TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW:
SPECIAL THANK YOU
We want to show our apprecation to our partners at NAMI Montgomery County Ohio for another year of having us be a part of the annual NAMI Walks event! Our team is grateful for the opportunity to set up a table and engage with the wonderful community NAMI has built. NAMI’s dedication to raising awareness about mental health and providing necessary programs and resources is inspiring. We at Sunlight Village are thankful for the chance to contribute!
BACK TO SCHOOL
We want to give a special thank you to
Five Rivers Metroparks for supporting our program by bringing over 30 back packs filled with school supplies for the youth in our program!
SUPPORTING YOUR MINDS!
As youth head back to school, we want to stress the importance of youth mental health. At Sunlight Village, the mental well-being of our youth is a top priority. We understand that creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial for their overall development and success. Sunlight Village is committed to fostering open conversations about mental health throughout the year, and we encourage you to do the same. We believe that by working together — whether as parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, etc. we can better support youth in managing daily challenges and addressing more serious issues when they arise. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where our youth feel safe, heard, and valued.
CONNECTION FOR SUCCESS YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
-Youth Garden-
Throughout the season, our youth have been tending to their garden, growing various vegetables. We couldn’t be more proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing what they grow next season!
This month, our garden had an unexpected guest—a groundhog! We caught this sneaky guy munching on the greens our youth have been working so hard to grow. While our new friend seems to enjoy the fresh veggies as much as we do, we'll have to think of ways to share the garden without losing our produce! Enjoy this photo of what’s left of the greens after the groundhog’s visit—and a photo of the troublemaker himself.
CFS GROUP HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH
This month, the young ladies in our program had the amazing opportunity to create their own lipgloss! This group was led by Tia Gravely, CEO/Owner and Senior Chemist at Chemist-Ti Cosmetics LLC. She guided them through the process of making their own product that’s both fun and functional while teaching them the science behind cosmetics. This exciting, hands-on experience, exposed them to a potential career path and allowed them to explore their creativity in the world of chemistry!
OUR COMMUNITY GROUPS
GRIEF & LOSS GROUP
YOUNG LADIES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GROUP
TEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS GROUP
TO VOLUNTEER OR LEARN ABOUT ANY OF OUR COMMUNITY GROUPS, GIVE US A CALL OR EMAIL US AT INFO@SUNLIGHT-VILLAGE.ORG
HEALTHY FAMILY MARKET
Stay tuned for more information on our exciting partnership with Dayton Children’s Hospital! This project will work to address food insecurity, mental health and improve children’s health outcomes.
Message From The Executive Director
Hello Sunlight Village Community!Â
As our youth return to school, we as parents, guardians, family members, advocates, mentors and friends have a responsibility to support and monitor our youth as they navigate through their school environment. Please take the time to listen, observe and talk with our youth, see how they are doing and watch for changes in mood and behavior. Â Review the list above for signs to watch for and seek professional help for them as soon as you suspect or notice any of the signs.
Suicide and mental health are public health issues and our school age youth are dying at alarming rates to suicide.
Five Ohioans die by suicide everyday and one youth dies every 34 hours.
(Ohio Dept. of Health May 2023 Press Release)
Our youth are our future and they need us NOW!
Thanks & Blessings
Robbie Brandon, Founder & CEO