About Second Wind Fund, Inc.

The Beginning of Second Wind Fund

The belief that the tragedy of a young person choosing to take their own life can be prevented was the prime motivator for the founders of the Second Wind Fund back in 2002. That school year, four students at a Jefferson County School in Colorado died by suicide in a nine-month time frame. The community - profoundly affected - grieved.

In response to these four suicides three members of a local faith community, Jeff Lamontagne, Dr. Marjorie Laird, and Scott Fleter organized a small community "Walk, Run, Ride", event to show solidarity with the school. The event, attended by 66 people, also raised a modest amount of money - and it was decided to use that money to provide direct support to other young people at the school. The Second Wind Fund was born!

Other schools in the community heard about the program and then other communities around Colorado heard about the program and now - Second Wind Fund services are available in communities throughout the state. Eleven years later, the Second Wind Fund is now poised to take its life-saving program to other regions of the USA.

Our Mission

The mission of Second Wind Fund is to decrease the incidence of suicide in children and youth by removing the financial and social barriers to treatment.

Inclusivity Statement

Second Wind Fund, Inc. actively seeks to promote access, equity, and inclusiveness.  SWF has the conviction that inclusiveness benefits everyone and is not only compatible with but also promotes excellence.   

The Second Wind Fund Team

The Staff

Richard Eveleigh, Executive Director

Richard has been Executive Director of Second Wind Fund, Inc. since January, 2012.  He began his career as a teacher in the United Kingdom - his country of origin. He has also taught at schools in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Prior to emigrating to the USA in 2000, Richard completed three years of training at the York Center for Psychotherapy, UK. He was then employed as a Case Manager and Mental Health Crisis Worker at the Lenape Valley Foundation, a nonprofit mental health center in Pennsylvania. Richard and his wife Chris moved to Denver in 2005 for family reasons. Eager to develop his career in the nonprofit sector, Richard completed a Masters Degree in Public Administration at the University of Colorado, Denver, before accepting the position of Grants and Publications Coordinator at Mental Health America of Colorado where he was soon promoted to Vice President of Programs. In addition to his MPS, Richard holds a Masters Degree in Philosophy from the University of Hull, UK; a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Wales, UK; and a Bachelors Degree from the University of London, UK.

Mandy McKnight, Controller

Mandy has been working in the nonprofit industry for over eight years. Her relationship with Second Wind Fund began in 2005 when the program was beginning to spread throughout Jefferson County Schools. At the time, she worked in Accounting and Administration with The Jefferson Foundation, the fiscal agent for Second Wind Fund before it was an independent organization. After several years of working for a local public radio station, Mandy returned to Second Wind Fund in 2010. She volunteers for several local fundraisers each year and especially loves to participate in charity golf tournaments.  In her free time she also enjoys skiing, walking, reading, and experiencing Denver's culinary scene.  Mandy continues to be inspired by the hope and dedication of the donors, survivors, and volunteers who support Second Wind Fund, and is excited to see the growth of the organization extend beyond the borders of Colorado.

Alex L'Acoste, Program Coordinator

Alex, a true long-time local to the Vail Valley, enjoys hiking, horseback riding, camping and skiing.  She started at a young age working in the non-profit industry, and in the past 12 years has worked in the medical field as she obtained her MBA.  Her experience, training and education have lead her to further develop a profound respect and desire to work with local organizations that provide mental and health services.  Alex has joined the team as a local representative to bring the Second Wind Fund program to the Vail Valley and surrounding communities, and to educate youth and families about teen suicide prevention.

Nancy Morgan, Program Director

Board of Directors

Dr. Marjorie Laird, Private Therapist, SWF Co-Founder (President)

Patricia Clark, Travelers Insurance (Vice President)

Dr. Franci Crepeau-Hobson, University of Colorado, Denver (Secretary)

Jeff Leniger, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Tennyson Center for Children (Treasurer)

Dr. John Genrich, Pediatrician, Denver

Kathy Valentine, Chairperson HOPE Coalition of Boulder County & Colie's Closet Peer Education Sponsor

David Talon, iGrowth Strategies

Kerry Baker, CFRE, Fund Development Consultant

Steve Tonkin, Quantiple, LLC

Jeff Villano, Business & Finance Director, Open Media Foundation