Second Wind Fund, Inc.

The mission of the Second Wind Fund, Inc. (SWF) is to decrease the incidence of adolescent suicide by removing financial and social barriers to treatment for at-risk youth through its affiliates.

When a school counselor deems a student 19 or under at-risk for suicide and the student has inadequate mental health insurance, SWF affiliates pay licensed therapists with expertise in working with youth at-risk for suicide and who work at reduced rates, to provide counseling services for the student.

SWF was formed after four teen suicides in a Jefferson County, Colorado 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.  

Through SWF's affiliates,  mental health services are accessible to every youth 19 and under. Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver covers the Denver metro area (Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, and Park counties) other Affiliates offer services in Douglas and Boulder counties.

New Affiliate Programs are forming in the La Plata, Montrose, El Paso, Teller, Weld, Garfield, Pitkin and Eagle county areas as well as the 10 county region of Northeastern Colorado.

Referrals are normally made through school counselors, whether at public, private, charter, or choice schools, although youth being home-schooled or no longer attending school are also eligible.

Create a SWF Affiliate Program in Your Community

After extensive research and a formal decision made by the SWF Board of Directors, SWF is starting to initiate Affiliate Programs across the United States.

In March 2008, SWF, Inc. hired a new Affiliate Director to work with existing Colorado affiliates as well as provide assistance to individuals or organizations that are interested in starting a SWF Affiliate in their community.

Why SWF?

  1. This is a fundamentally different and unique program--entirely distinguishable from any other awareness or education program that you may offer--because it actually offers 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.
  2. SWF has shown proven results in reducing teen suicide.
  3. 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 in Colorado, 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.
  4. Funders find this program very appealing because money goes directly to treatment services.
  5. This is a very replicable program in any community, as we have an existing template and procedures.
  6. Seed money is available for new affiliate start ups.

Currently, there are several different communities throughout the nation looking at starting a SWF Affiliate: Reno NV, Albuquerque, NM, Eugene, OR and Madison, WI with many other individuals requesting information and discussing with their communities how SWF could make a difference in their town.

Because the success that SWF has had can be duplicated in any community with our existing template and assistance, we will walk you through the process and reduce the concern of extensive time and energy 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 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.

It would be our honor 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 SWF, Inc. Affiliate Program in your community, please contact our Affiliates Director, Lori A. Hoffner at the SWF, Inc. office: 303.988.5870 ext 15, cell: 720.353.2863, or email her at LHoffner@TheSecondWindFund.org .


Affiliates

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 5 metro county areas of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson and Park. To make a referral for a Metro Denver youth, please call 303-988-2645     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 Douglas County

SWF,Inc. makes many presentations to Kiwanis Clubs, but the Kiwanis Club of Douglas County is the first club to become so enthused as to begin a local SWF, Inc. program! The Club has established the Kiwanis Club of Castle Pines Foundation in part to serve as the functioning arm for the club's SWF, Inc. affiliate program. With their help, Second Wind Fund of Douglas County (SWFDC) now exists. 

Lynn Pender is the new Affiliate Coordinator for SWFDC.  To make a referral for a youth in the Douglas County area, please call 303-895-0434

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 new Affiliate Program started with Colorado State Strategic Use Funds. 

Carrieann Angrisani is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFERV.  To help with this Affiliate Program please call 970-309-1120.


Second Wind Fund of El Paso/Teller Counties Colorado

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


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.  Soon, this Affiliate Program will provide services for youth in La Plata county including the towns of Durango, Ignacio and Bayfield.  

Shelley Millsap is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFFCC.  To help with this Affiliate Program please call  970-946-9586 or visit swf4cc.weebly.com

Second Wind Fund of Northeast Colorado

Second Wind Fund of Northeast Colorado (SWFNC), one fo the newest Affiliate Program started with Colorado State Strategic Use Funds.  This Affiliate Program will soon be providing services for youth in the nine county region, also served by Rural Solutions. 

Jackie Reynolds is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFNC with Marana Miller providing program assistance.  To help with this Affiliate Program please call 970-526-3616.

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.   

Kimberly Hamilton is the Affiliate Coordinator of SWFUP.  To help with this Affiliate Program please call 970-765-1059.


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.  To make a referral for a youth in the Weld County area, please call 970-590-5474


For more information about starting a new SWF affiliate, whether in Colorado or elsewhere in the U.S., please contact Lori Hoffner, Affiliates Director, at 303.988.5870 ext 15 or lhoffner@thesecondwindfund.org.