A Slam Dunk Day for Kellin Kids!

Laughter, balloons, and basketballs filled the gym at Christ United Methodist Church on March 8th as Kellin Kids came together for an afternoon of fun, connection, and community—all leading up to the Greensboro Swarm’s Mental Health Awareness Game Night on March 14th.

With the support of Beyond Sports, Blue Cross NC, Christ United Methodist Church, the Greensboro Swarm, the Kellin Foundation, and an incredible team of volunteers, 30 kids rotated through activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. As they arrived, they colored bookmarks, played giant Jenga, and ran through a sea of balloons scattered across the gym floor. Once everyone was ready, kids were split into three groups, each jumping into a different experience. On the court, Beyond Sports coaches led basketball drills where kids practiced relays, passing, dribbling, and shooting in a fun and encouraging environment. In another activity, kids reflected on their strengths, sharing words like “loyal,” “funny,” “kind,” and “strong” before writing them on their own brightly colored basketballs to take home. At the bracelet-making station, they crafted message bracelets in Greensboro Swarm colors, which will be gifted to the players during Mental Health Awareness Game Night.

After all the activities, families gathered for a pizza party complete with Swarm-colored cupcakes. Every child left not only with great memories but also free tickets for their family to attend the Swarm’s game on March 14th. In total, 80 tickets were given out, including to families whose children helped design the special uniforms the Swarm will wear that night.

With game day approaching, there’s still a way to be part of this special night. A portion of every ticket sold through the link below will support the Kellin Foundation and help provide mental health services for children and families.

🎟 Get your tickets here: https://swarm.spinzo.com/greensboro-swarm-vs-maine-celtics-2025-03-14-VZCAJ?group=the-kellen-foundation-rerc

A huge thank you to our partners, volunteers, and families for making this event such a success. Wear your purple and we’ll see you at the game!

Join Us for Greensboro Swarm’s Mental Health Awareness Game Night!

Basketball fans, mental health advocates, and everyone in between—this is your shot to make a difference. On March 14th at 7PM, the Greensboro Swarm is hosting Mental Health Awareness Game Night, and the Kellin Foundation is in the game.

When you buy your tickets through this link— https://bit.ly/3DqDPzL —a portion of your ticket purchase goes directly to support our mental health services. That means every ticket helps provide counseling, support groups, and resources for children and families in our community.

It’s a night of hoops with a deeper purpose. Blue Cross NC is partnering on this special event, and the Swarm players will take the court in jerseys designed by our very own Kellin Kids! These one-of-a-kind jerseys will be up for auction, giving fans the chance to take home a piece of history while supporting mental health initiatives.

Tickets start at just $10, but here’s the game plan—the better the seat, the bigger the boost to Kellin!

Let’s fill the stands, cheer loud, and show that mental health matters. Click the button below, grab your tickets, and we’ll see you at the game!

Nominate Your Community Hero for the 2025 Journey Awards!

Who do you know that truly makes a difference in Guilford County? It’s time to shine a light on those remarkable individuals, teams, or groups who change lives in every day. The 2025 Journey Awards give you the chance to nominate the community heroes whose efforts deserve recognition.

Here's What You Need to Know:

Nomination Period: Opens on February 26, 2025, and closes on April 4, 2025, at 5pm.

Award Categories:

•  Journey Award in Education – Recognizing those who spark curiosity and shape bright futures. 

• Journey Award in Healthcare / Business – Honoring the champions keeping us healthy and driving our local economy.

• Journey Award in Community – Celebrating the individuals and groups who build stronger, kinder neighborhoods.

Nominees will be notified by April 18, 2025, and winners will be honored live on May 1, 2025, at 6 pm during our Journey to Brave event at Joymongers.

Think about that person or group you know who has overcome challenges, sparked innovative change, or simply worked tirelessly to make our community a better place. Now is the time to help their story get the spotlight it deserves. Nominate your community hero today and join us in celebrating the spirit and dedication that makes Guilford County truly special.

Let’s come together to honor those who lead by example. Nominate someone today and be a part of recognizing the inspiring journeys that continue to shape our community.

Hands of Hope: 84 Years of Community, Connection, and Care

This holiday season, Hands of Hope, the Kellin Foundation’s annual gift drive, made its mark once again, bringing warmth and joy to 31 children in our community, their caregivers, and patients at Central Regional Behavioral Health Hospital. With over 500 gifts donated, the drive continued an 84-year tradition of neighbors helping neighbors during the holiday season.

The Hands of Hope Gift Drive began in 1940 as Operation Santa Claus, an initiative started by Mental Health Greensboro to bring holiday cheer to those in need. When Mental Health Greensboro and the Kellin Foundation merged in 2022, Kellin proudly took over this cherished tradition, continuing its legacy of giving and expanding its reach to serve even more individuals and families.

Among those touched by this effort was a Kellin Foundation client, a mother of three young children, who shared her heartfelt gratitude:

"I wanted to take the time to share my thoughts on the Holiday Gift Giving. I have been completely overwhelmed with emotions since I left there on Wednesday. The amount of gratitude I feel is beyond words at this time. The Kellin Foundation has been a blessing to me in many ways than one. I have been through so many things over the course of my life that I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t been able to get services from the foundation. Thank you all from the depths of my heart. I am a firm believer that God makes no mistakes while directing paths!"

Her words capture what Hands of Hope is all about: creating moments of relief and connection during a time of year that can feel isolating or overwhelming for so many.

For some, these gifts are a bright spot during an otherwise challenging time. For others, they serve as a tangible reminder that someone cares. From toys and games for children to essentials like blankets and winter wear, every item donated carried a piece of the community’s spirit.

This year’s drive was organized by Erin Hanes, Kellin Foundation Youth Peer Support Specialist and Hands of Hope coordinator, whose dedication helped ensure the success of this beloved tradition.

A special thanks goes out to Jazzercise, Novant Health Salem Surgical Associates, High Caliber Hot Shots, Treasure Chest Ladies, John Reganess & Reganess Wealth Management Group, Joan Landreth, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, and many other community members for their generosity and support.

To those who contributed, thank you for making this holiday brighter for so many. Hands of Hope is only possible because of the generosity of people like you—people who understand that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference.

As we wrap up this year’s drive, we’re reminded of the importance of community and the strength found in coming together. Thank you for being part of this tradition and helping us make this season a little more hopeful for those we serve.

Here’s to a new year filled with compassion, connection, and continued support for one another.

Kellin Foundation Holiday Schedule

The holiday season is here, and we want to share our schedule to ensure you know when we're available.

• Closed: December 23rd through December 27th.

• Open: December 30th and 31st.

• Closed: January 1st and 2nd, 2025.

• Remote Operations: Friday, January 3rd.

We’ll resume regular in-person operations on Monday, January 6th, 2025.

We wish you a peaceful and joyful holiday season and look forward to serving our community in the new year!

Free Certification Courses: Equip Yourself to Make a Difference

The Kellin Foundation invites you to join our free certification courses designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to support mental health, protect children, and create safer, stronger communities. These trainings provide practical skills for real-world challenges and are open to everyone in the community.

Click the dates below to sign up for the certification courses.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA):                         Learn to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges.

Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light:      Gain tools to prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse effectively.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (Y-MHFA):   Equip yourself to support youth facing mental health or substance use challenges.

Upcoming Dates:

• January 23rd: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

• January 28th: Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light

• January 30th: Youth Mental Health First Aid (Y-MHFA)

• February 13th: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

• February 20th: Youth Mental Health First Aid (Y-MHFA)

• March 20th: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

• March 27th: Youth Mental Health First Aid (Y-MHFA)

Thank you for taking the time to join these efforts and strengthen our shared community!