Donations to the Binghamton Pond Festival for the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier and the Do It For Daron Initiative.
MHAST
MHAST is a private non-profit organization founded in 1927 and is the oldest continuously operating Mental Health Association in New York State. MHAST is a United Way agency and an affiliate of the National and New York State Mental Health Associations and we are one of 300 Mental Health Associations nationwide.
Our organization is devoted to enhancing the lives of ALL community residents by improving their mental health and wellness. Our goals are achieved through advocacy services, educational presentations, prevention programs, information, and resource referrals. The Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier, Inc. helps unite recipients of mental health services and their families with mental health professionals, service providers and advocates to create collaborations, generate action, and combat the devastating stigma of mental illness.
DIFD
On November 13, 2010, 14-year-old Daron Richardson died by suicide. From this tragedy came a movement to transform youth mental health. Spearheaded by Daron’s parents Luke and Stephanie Richardson, who decided to transform their very private pain into a public call-to-action, a decision was made to support young people who suffer in silence from the pain and stigma of mental illness. Supported by the energy and efforts of dozens of Daron’s close friends and classmates, a grassroots movement was formed with the mission of creating awareness, inspiring conversations, and transforming youth mental health.
Do It for Daron (DIFD) encourages young people to talk openly about mental illness and to ask for help when needed. DIFD provides young people, their parents, teachers, coaches and other adult role models with the resources, outlets and, most importantly, courage to overcome the shame and fear of discussing mental illness. The purple DIFD heart, a creation inspired by Daron’s favorite color, has become the youth-driven symbol of this movement. It is a visual reminder that only love and awareness, not hiding in the shadows, can combat youth mental illness.
All donations raised locally are used by the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier to promote the work of DIFD in our community. As part of our outreach, we supply care packages to kids experiencing a mental health crisis and offer mini-grants up to $250 to youth who plan and initiate their own event, project or activity to promote mental wellness or suicide awareness and prevention.
About Friends of Salt Springs Park
The Friends of Salt Springs Park, Inc., is a non-profit member-driven organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and recreational potential of 800 spectacular acres in Susquehanna County.
