Your Community. Your Kids.
Second Wind Fund, Inc. Affiliate Program
The mission of Second Wind Fund, Inc. (SWF) is to decrease the incidence of adolescent suicide by removing financial and social barriers to treatment for all at-risk youth through its Affiliates.
SWF was formed after four teen suicides in a Denver-area high school during the 2001-2002 school year. In 2009, a separate organization, the Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver (SWFMD) was formed to manage the Denver operations. SWF continues to manage the national program and Affiliates.
When a school counselor deems a student 19 or under at risk for suicide and the student has inadequate mental health insurance, they are referred to a SWF Affiliate for counseling services. Affiliates pay licensed therapists with expertise in working with youth at risk for suicide an agreed-upon reduced rate to treat the referred youth. Referrals are normally made through school counselors, whether at public, private, charter, or choice schools, although home-schooled youth or those no longer attending school are also eligible.
Through SWF's Affiliates, mental health services are accessible to every youth 19 and under. Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver, our flagship Affiliate, covers the Denver metro area (Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, and Park counties). Other Affiliates offer services in Douglas, Boulder, Weld, El Paso and Teller counties and the regions of Northeast Colorado, the Uncompahgre Plateau and Four Corners Colorado. Currently, the Affiliate Program of Second Wind Fund, Inc. covers approximately 80% of the youth population in Colorado. We continue to talk with communities in Colorado and throughout the nation that are interested in starting a Second Wind Fund Affiliate Program to offer the same life-saving services in their communities.
Starting a Second Wind Fund, Inc. Affiliate Program
Why SWF?
- This is a fundamentally different and unique program--entirely distinguishable from any other awareness or education program that you may offer--because it provides direct services and fills a real niche in suicide prevention plans by offering fast, high-quality treatment services to kids who would not otherwise receive quality services.
- SWF has shown proven results in reducing teen suicide.
- Offering education and awareness programs is so very important for any community; however, once a young person is identified as having suicidal thoughts, can they afford mental health services? Studies show that 62% of individuals with suicidal ideation do not seek mental health services due to financial issues. SWF removes that concern for youth and their families.
- Funders find this program very appealing because money goes directly to treatment services.
- This is a very replicable program in any community, as we have an existing template and procedures.
- Seed money is available for new Affiliate start-up.
SWF receives inquiries on a weekly basis about our program and how a Second Wind Fund Affiliate Program can be started in various communities. Because the program can be duplicated in any community with our existing template and assistance, we will walk you through the process and reduce the concerns of extensive time and energy necessary to get this program started.
Additionally, SWF will provide up to $3,000 in seed money over a three year period to help with the start-up process. Each community makes a commitment of $5,000 to get things started. In the first year, with minimal time spent, that money could equal approximately 120 counseling sessions for young people which translates to approximately 10-15 youth receiving mental health services with a licensed therapist—a youth that otherwise would not receive such services due to lack of insurance or family financial difficulties.
We would be honored to assist any community in starting their own SWF Affiliate in order to have a powerful and positive impact on youth at risk for suicide.
If you’re interested in starting a Second Wind Fund Affiliate Program in your community, please contact Executive Director Jeff Lamontagne at the SWF office: 303.988.5870 ext 15, cell: 303.517.6368 or email him at jlamontagne@TheSecondWindFund.org
Current Second Wind Fund Affiliates
Second Wind Fund Affiliate Programs cover approximately 80% of the Colorado youth population. If you know of a young person at risk for suicide in any of these areas, please contact the local Affiliate to determine if they would qualify for services through Second Wind Fund.
Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver
Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver (SWFMD) is our flagship Affiliate Program. Started in 2003, this Affiliate covers the 6 metro county areas of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson and Park. To make a referral for a Metro Denver youth, please call 303.988.2645 Kevin Shipley is the Executive Director of this Affilaite Program www.SWFMD.org
Second Wind Fund of Boulder County
Second Wind Fund of Boulder County (SWFBC) was started through the leadership of HOPE Coalition of Boulder and Colie's Closet. Hope Coalition is a Boulder, CO organization dedicated to supporting depression awareness and suicide prevention in Boulder County.
Faye Peterson is the Executive Director of SWFBC. To make a referral for a youth in the Boulder County area, please call 720.212.7527.
Second Wind Fund of Eagle River Valley
Second Wind Fund of Eagle River Valley (SWFERV) will be providing services for youth throughout the Eagle River Valley including the communities of Gypsum, Avon, Edwards, Wolcott Eagle, Vail, Beaver Creek, Minturn and Basalt. This Affiliate Program started with Colorado State Strategic Use Funds.
Stacey Horn, LCSW, CH is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFERV. To help with this Affiliate Program or to make a referral please call 970.401.1946. You can also visit SWFERV's website.
Second Wind Fund of El Paso and Teller Counties
Second Wind Fund of El Paso/Teller Counties (SWFETC) will be re-energized with the help of the Colorado State Strategic Use Funds grant. This Affiliate Program will provide services for youth in El Paso and Teller counties.
Constance Gelvin is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFETC. To help with this Affiliate Program please call 719.322.2839. You can also visit http://swferv.thesecondwindfund.org<http://swfetc.thesecondwindfund.org/>
Second Wind Fund of Four Corners Colorado
Second Wind Fund of Four Corners Colorado(SWFFCC) was started with the help of the Colorado State Strategic Use Funds grant. This Affiliate Program will provide services for youth in La Plata and Montezuma counties including the towns of Durango, Ignacio, Cortez and Bayfield.
Lillian Ramey is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFFCC. To help with this Affiliate Program or to make a referral please call 970.946.9586 or visit their website.
Second Wind Fund of Northeast Colorado
Second Wind Fund of Northeast Colorado (SWFNC), one of the newest Affiliate Programs, started with Colorado State Strategic Use Funds. This Affiliate Program will be providing services for youth in the nine county region also served by Rural Solutions. Click here to read a local article about this Affiliate.
Jackie Reynolds is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFNC with Maranda Miller providing program assistance. To make a referral for a young person in this region, please call 970.520.5207. Also, please visit Second Wind Fund of Northeast Colorado's website.
Second Wind Fund of Uncompahgre Plateau
Second Wind Fund of Uncompahgre Plateau (SWFUP) is another new Affiliate Program started with Colorado State Strategic Use Funds. This Affiliate Program will soon be providing services for youth in the counties of Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel.
Todd Smith is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFUP. To volunteer with this Affiliate Program or to make a referral please call 970.765.1059or visit their website.
Second Wind Fund of Weld County
Second Wind Fund of Weld County (SWFWC) was one of our first communities to come on board as a new Affiliate Program under the Colorado State Strategic Use Funds. This Affiliate Program will be providing services for youth in Weld county.
Keith P. Wawrzyniak is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFWC and Shannon Wawrzyniak coordinates fundraising efforts for this Affiliate. To make a referral for a youth in the Weld County area, please call 970.590.5474 or visit their website.
