Colten Foster Memorial Fund

SINCE THE FOUNDATIONS INCEPTION IN 2018 WE HAVE PROVIDED $8,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO BASEHOR-LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO ATTEND TRADE, TECH OR VOCATIONAL SCHOOL AS THIS WAS THE PATH COLTEN HAD CHOSEN. HE WAS TRAINING TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN. WE WILL BE PROVIDING 2 $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS AGAIN THIS SPRING. THIS YEAR WE WILL ALSO BE OFFERING A $500 SCHOLARSHIP TO A JUNIOR WHO WILL BE DOING TRADE SCHOOL NEXT YEAR. WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ANNUALLY TO ASSIST TWO TEENS IN ATTENDING YOUNG LIFE SUMMER CAMP. WE SUPPORT THEIR ANNUAL SPORTING CLAY TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER. WE HAVE DONATED A SELECTION OF BOOKS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH TO THE 4 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE USD 458 SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF, YOUTH LEADERS AND MENTORS IN THE COMMUNITY TO EMPOWER THEM WITH KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES TO BE PREPARED TO HANDLE THE EVER INCREASING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND NEEDS OF YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS PAST YEAR WE SENT 11 PEOPLE INCLUDING SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF & YOUTH LEADERS TO APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING (ASIST), A TWO DAY WORKSHOP FOR CAREGIVERS WHO WANT TO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, CONFIDENT AND COMPETENT IN HELPING TO PREVENT THE IMMEDIATE RISK OF SUICIDE. WE ARE EXTENDING THE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO INCLUDE FIRST RESPONDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION PARTNERED WITH BASEHOR PARENTS IN ACTION TO BRING THE SPEAK UP FOUNDATION TO BLHS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS, SUICIDE AWARENESS AND MENTAL HEALTH TO STAFF & STUDENTS. WE ATTEND LOCAL EVENTS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH. CONTINUE TO SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND FIGHT TO END THE STIGMA AGAINST MENTAL ILLNESS.