New Faces, Shared Purpose: Meet the Clinicians Strengthening Our Community

Deliah Mooney, LCSWA

Angel Robles, LCSWA

We’re excited to introduce two new members to the Kellin Foundation team, Deliah Mooney, LCSWA, and Angel Robles, LCSWA. Both clinicians bring a wealth of knowledge and passion for supporting children and families in our community.

Deliah Mooney will be serving as our school-based mental health counselor, focusing on helping children and adolescents navigate challenges and understand themselves better. With her background in psychology and social work, Deliah is committed to creating safe spaces for young people to express themselves and be heard.

Angel Robles, a bilingual therapist, will be working part-time in schools and part-time at the Kellin Foundation. Angel has extensive experience as an advocate for children, victims of violent crimes, and immigrants and refugees. Her dedication to reducing the impacts of trauma and supporting resilience in the community makes her a perfect fit for our mission.

Please join us in welcoming Deliah and Angel to the Kellin Foundation family!

Thank You to Our Incredible Shea's Chase Sponsors!

As we wrap up another successful year of Shea's Chase, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to all of our sponsors who made this event possible. Your generous support is so appreciated and is essential to our mission to strengthen resilience among children, families, adults and communities through trauma-informed behavioral health services focused on prevention, treatment, and healing. Thank you for helping to raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.

This year, we are proud to acknowledge the following 2024 Shea’s Chase sponsors for their wonderful support:

• Cogent Analytics

• Bostian Coaching and Consulting

• Edward Jones Financial Advisor Rick Dutch

• Edward Jones Financial Advisor Colon Knight

• Pilar Powell with KW One Realty

• Brittany and David Cecil Realty with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

• Dwight & Lisa Crotts

• Lake Jeannette Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry

• Deuterman Law Group

• Cemala Foundation

• Charlie Health

• Greensboro Police Department

• Arrowhead Graphics

• Biscuitville

• Revolution Mill

• Kau

• Clutch Coffee

• Shots by Jos

Your partnership helps us turn our shared vision into reality, allowing us to provide mental health, substance use and wraparoud services that support individuals and families in need. Together, we are creating a community where mental health is prioritized, and no one has to struggle alone.

Thank you for standing with us, believing in our mission, and helping to make Shea’s Chase a day of hope, connection, and positive change. We look forward to continuing this journey with you and making an even greater impact in the years to come!

The Chase Continues: Upcoming Suicide Prevention and Mental Health First Aid Trainings

Suicide Prevention Month may be in September, but the importance of mental health awareness continues all year long. The need for understanding and intervention is ongoing, and now is the perfect time to ask yourself: What can you do to keep contributing?

If you’re looking for ways to stay engaged and make a lasting impact, we’ve got the answer: Equip yourself with the skills to save lives, not just during one month of the year, but every day.

We’re offering two QPR Suicide Prevention certification training sessions on October 22nd and November 14th. QPR—Question, Persuade, Refer—is a straightforward approach that anyone can learn. Think of it as the mental health equivalent of CPR. It’s about noticing the signs, asking the right questions, and guiding someone toward help. Simple, yet potentially life-saving.

On November 7th, we’re also offering a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification training. This course is designed for anyone who wants to be better prepared to support someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem. Whether you’re a caregiver, community leader, or just someone who wants to help, MHFA will give you the tools to respond effectively.

So, what’s next? How do you continue making a difference? It’s simple: Register for one of these trainings. By doing so, you’re gaining knowledge and you’re stepping into a role that could change lives.

Click the links above to register and learn more about how to respond to mental health crisis. Keep the conversation going, and be a part of a community that cares. 

Bid on Baskets in the Shea’s Chase Online Auction!

Picture this: this: you’re sipping your morning coffee, scrolling through your phone, and thinking about ways to make a positive impact today. Good news— The Shea’s Chase Online Auction is up and running, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to show some love to your community while snagging some great prizes! Each bid you place directly supports the Kellin Foundation’s mission to build brighter futures for those in need. It’s a chance to make a difference and have a little fun along the way. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the baskets that are sure to catch your eye and get you in the bidding spirit.

First up, the Divine Dining basket. You know those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking? This basket’s got you covered. With gift cards to some of the best spots in town—CharBar7, Village Tavern, Green Valley Grill, and more—you can savor a night out without lifting a finger in the kitchen. Top it all off with a custom cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and three bottles of wine to enjoy at home. It’s the perfect blend of dining out and indulging in some well-deserved treats. Bon appétit!

Then there’s the Hit The Road Adventure basket, perfect for the explorers at heart who know that the best memories are made on the road. Start off your journey with a caffeine boost from Starbucks and plan a series of unforgettable day trips. How about a scenic drive to Myrtle Beach for a delicious meal at Abuelo’s? But that’s just the start. You’ll also explore the breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain, stroll through the beauty of Longwood Gardens, soar above the dunes with hang gliding lessons at Kitty Hawk Kites, and get your adrenaline fix with passes to the Whitewater Center. With multiple destinations, this basket turns every weekend into an adventure waiting to happen.

And for the golf lovers, the Lefty for Life Golfer Goods basket is calling your name. Packed with premium golf gear like a Swami GPS and Titleist balls, this basket is a nod to Brad Gunn’s love of the game. It’s a way to keep his spirit on the green while gearing up with everything you need for a perfect day on the course. Plus, with gift cards to Top Golf and Dick’s Sporting Goods, you’ll be more than ready to swing for the fences.

Every bid you place helps the Kellin Foundation continue providing essential mental health services to families and individuals who need them. When you bid you’re actively caring, loving, and helping people rebuild their lives. And honestly, that feels pretty good.

The auction runs until 12pm on October 5th, the day of the Shea’s Chase 5K walk and run. But why wait? Head over to the auction page, check out all the baskets, and get your bids in. It’s fun, it’s impactful, and hey—you just might walk away with the winning prize!

Kellin Foundation Receives $50,000 Grant from Positive Childhood Alliance NC

We’re excited to share that the Kellin Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina (PCANC). As one of 38 organizations chosen for this funding, we’re honored to be part of a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening family support services. This generous grant will allow us to continue expanding our work to build stronger, more resilient communities for families across Guilford County and North Carolina.

We know that healthy, connected families are key to a thriving community. With this funding, we will focus on two key project goals that align with our mission:

1. Supporting Our Wraparound Services
   We will use the grant to enhance our wraparound services, which play a crucial role in helping families navigate complex systems and access the resources they need. Our wraparound services ensure that families receive personalized support and guidance as they face life’s challenges, providing them with the tools and resources they need to move forward and thrive.

2. Strengthening Organizational Practices and Exploring New Services
   In addition to supporting our wraparound services, the grant will enable us to begin researching the potential for a drop-in childcare service at the Hope Hub. While this is not currently a service we offer, the funding will allow us to consult with experts to understand the requirements and best practices for establishing this service. This careful planning will help us ensure that, when ready to be implemented, the service is safe, effective, and aligned with our mission.

We are deeply grateful to Positive Childhood Alliance NC for this incredible acknowledgment of the work we are doing. Their commitment to empowering organizations like ours strengthens the entire network of family services across the state. “By investing in these organizations, PCANC is helping to build a stronger, more resilient prevention ecosystem of family support services,” said Andrea Clark, Prevention Networks Manager at PCANC. We’re excited to work alongside them to create lasting, positive change for children and families in North Carolina.

Over the next several months, we’ll participate in training, consultation, and community-building activities through PCANC to ensure our programs continue to meet the needs of the families we serve.

As we move forward, our focus remains the same: providing essential services that promote mental health, resilience, and well-being for all. We look forward to sharing more updates as we expand our reach and deepen our impact on families in our community. Together, with partners like PCANC, we are building a brighter future for every child and family we touch.

Stride for Life: Shea’s Chase and the Role of Suicide Prevention

September is National Suicide Prevention Month—a time to pause, reflect, and honor the lives lost to suicide. It’s a month when we embrace those who have faced the dark abyss of suicidal thoughts and stand with families and communities that bear the weight of this profound loss. It's about renewing our commitment to raising awareness, extending compassion, and providing support with both urgency and empathy.

One story that stands as a poignant reminder of our mission is that of Shea McKenna. Shea, with his brilliant humor and philosophical spirit, was a young man of remarkable depth. Yet, despite his many gifts, Shea grappled with mental health challenges that led to his untimely death by suicide in June 2014, just shy of his 28th birthday.

In the aftermath of this heart-wrenching loss, Shea’s parents, Tom and Dianne McKenna, transformed their grief into action. They established Shea’s Chase, a 5K run and walk that has become a day dedicated to bringing people together to honor those we’ve lost, support those in need, and raise funds for suicide prevention and mental health services.

The numbers surrounding suicide are stark and urgent. Between 2000 and 2022, suicide rates surged by approximately 36%. In 2022 alone, suicide was the cause of 49,476 deaths—about one every 11 minutes. The figures are even more staggering when we consider the number of people who think about or attempt suicide. That year, 13.2 million adults seriously contemplated suicide, 3.8 million made plans, and 1.6 million attempted to end their lives.

The proceeds from Shea’s Chase support the Kellin Foundation’s work, which includes providing free counseling, peer support, and community outreach to children, adults and families. Kellin Foundation’s quality and accessible evidence based, trauma-informed services are fundamental to combating suicide and supporting mental wellness.

In our ongoing effort to equip the community, we’re offering free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Certification Training on October 22nd and November 14th. These workshops are designed to teach how to recognize the signs of suicide, offer support, and connect individuals to help. Additionally, we’re providing a free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training on November 7th.

These training opportunities are a chance to learn how to respond effectively to someone in a mental health crisis. Whether you’re participating in Shea’s Chase or simply someone committed to mental health and caring for the community, we encourage you to sign up to join these life-saving programs.

As September progresses, let’s commit to our role in preventing suicide. By participating in Shea’s Chase on October 5th, attending our free trainings, or simply starting a conversation about mental health, you’re helping to build a community where no one struggles alone. There is hope, and together, we can shine a light for those in need.

Honor the memory of those we've lost, support those still here, and work toward a future where suicide is no longer a leading cause of death.

Be a part of the change on October 5th by joining us for Shea’s Chase. Empower yourself and others by signing up for our free QPR and MHFA trainings. For more details and to register, click the buttons below.