Brashear High School

October 2019

A $10,000 follow-on grant was made to continue work at Brashear High School to help students develop techniques to combat depression and suicide. The grant will allow AWAKEN PITTSBURGH to train educators to teach a “Leader in Me” curriculum at Brashear. The goal is to provide training in mindfulness meditation, emotional intelligence, communication, conflict resolution, stress management, and various resourcing and resiliency-building skills.

Leader in Me will reach approximately 100 students this year, and then continue every year hereafter. The program targets at-risk youth, who have either been in the juvenile justice system or are ‘frequent flyers’ for detentions or suspensions. These students are at a higher risk for mental health disorders.

Allegheny Children’s Initiative

October 2018

A $3,500 grant was made to the Allegheny Children’s Initiative for therapeutic games and books to help enrich mental health and behavioral health treatment provided to youth and their families. These tools can help youth engage in conversations about difficult topics such as trauma, depression, anxiety, anger and violence. The resources provided through this grant will be reused again and again, benefiting many youth and families for years to come.

Brashear High School

April 2017

A $5,000 grant was made to Brashear High School in Pittsburgh to help Brashear students explore techniques and avenues to cope with depression and suicide within their community.

Department of Psychiatry at UPMC Mercy

April 2015

A $10,000 follow-on grant was made to the Department of Psychiatry at UPMC Mercy to provide for additional staff training and education in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). ASIST is designed to help caregivers recognize risk and intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Thirty-three persons were trained with the initial grant, training will continue with funds provided by the follow on grant.

This grant also supports additional Art Therapy and Cooking Therapy programs in the Behavioral Health Unit. These creative arts programs increase self esteem, creativity and competence, and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Department of Psychiatry at UPMC Mercy

October 2013

A $10,000 grant from the foundation will provide for staff training and education at UPMC Mercy in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). ASIST is designed to help caregivers recognize risk and intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Fifteen people have been scheduled for this training between October 2013 and February 2014 with more to follow.

The grant will also support art therapy and cooking therapy programs in the Behavioral Health unit. These programs increase self-esteem, creativity and competence, and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Operation Safety Net

January 2013

A donation from the Thomas Brown Alton Foundation to Operation Safety Net will assist homeless youth with transportation (bus passes/tickets), clothing for job search, and additional aid such as food vouchers once housed.

Operation Safety Net

February 2012

Homeless youth are more likely to suffer from undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues. Financial support from the Thomas Brown Alton Foundation will help Operation Safety Net to provide food and housing for two individuals in the Pittsburgh area.

The Compassionate Friends

Spring 2011

The Thomas Brown Alton Foundation made a contribution to the Pittsburgh chapter of The Compassionate Friends, an organization that helps support those impacted by the suicide of a loved one.

Mercy Behavioral Health

Summer 2010

Funding provided by the Thomas Brown Alton Foundation enabled two girls to attend a therapeutic summer day camp operated by Mercy Behavioral Health.