#2
Leading cause of death for ages 10–34 in the United States is suicide.
2x
More suicides than homicides occurred nationwide in 2023.
31%
Of college students leave their home state, often outrunning their support systems.
Our Mission
To empower people across every walk of life — college students, military service members, working professionals, and public servants — to prioritize their mental health, build resilient communities, and develop the tools to recognize and respond to suicide ideation before it becomes a crisis.
Our Vision
A world where no one faces their darkest moment alone. On campuses, in uniform, in the workplace, and in public service — everyone equipped to spot the signs, and confident enough to act on them.
01
Community
Building belonging through peer mentorship and peer-led support circles.
02
Confidence
Equipping people with the skills and language to intervene when someone is struggling.
03
Self-Awareness
Low-pressure spaces to process and understand your own mental health.
04
Access to Care
Removing the financial and logistical barriers standing between people and professional counseling.
How it works
Five programs, one path forward.
Each initiative we run — Collegiate, Military, Working Professional, or High School — draws from the same five programs, sequenced to meet people where they are.
01
The Landing Pad
Community · Independent Living
Peer mentorship built for the 31% who move away from home. Incoming students or new arrivals are paired with someone who has already navigated the transition — for social guidance and regular mental health check-ins.
02
"No Agenda" Support Circles
Self-Awareness · Community
Weekly, low-pressure drop-in circles — no clinical agenda, just a facilitator and a safe space to talk through burnout, homesickness, and identity. The goal is one simple realization: I am not the only one feeling this way.
03
Guardrails Workshops
Confidence · Identification
Confidence · Identification
Interactive peer-intervention training that gives people the actual script: how to notice the subtle signs of suicide ideation in a friend, how to ask the hard question directly, and how to connect them to real help.
04
The Retreat
Reflection · Renewal
A weekend retreat each fall and spring, timed around midterms. Small groups talk through wins and losses together, closing with a letter-writing exercise — each person writes themselves words of encouragement to reopen later in the semester.
05
The Safety Net Fund
Counseling Access
Subsidized sessions with vetted, off-campus therapists for people who need professional help but face financial or insurance barriers. Every dollar donated here buys a real therapy hour for someone in crisis.
Who we serve
College Students
Sophmore Year
Mentorship
College students managing mental health for the first time, often far from home.
Mentorship · Community · Counseling
Sophmore Year
Relationships
Helping students the importance of strong relationships.
Mentorship · Community · Counseling
Sophmore Year
Preparation
Preparing students for life after college by developing plans and professionals outside work.
Mentorship · Community · Counseling
Sophmore Year
Transition
Giving motivation and support to helping deal with transition after college.
Mentorship · Community · Counseling
Who we serve
Starting with the collegiate community.
17–23
Collegiate
College students managing mental health for the first time, often far from home.
Mentorship · Community · Counseling
Fundraising roadmap
Build the foundation, pilot responsibly, then expand.
Four phases, from board formation to full program operation — each one building on the last.
Phase 1 — Foundation
Summer 2026
Focus
-
Board development
-
Partnership outreach
-
Mental health prevention merch
Phase 2 — Pilot Launch
Fall 2026
Focus
-
The Landing Pad
-
No Agenda Support Circles
Milestones
-
Recruit 3+ board members
-
Execute September fundraiser
-
Identify pilot college partner(s)
-
3 months' cash reserve by October
Goal: $7,500
Milestones
-
Enroll 15+ pilot participants
-
Launch peer mentorship pairs
-
Run weekly support circles
-
Track enrollment & retention data
Goal: $10,000
Phase 3 — Expansion
Spring 2027
Focus
-
The Landing Pad
-
No Agenda Support Circles
Milestones
-
Enroll 15+ pilot participants
-
Launch peer mentorship pairs
-
Run weekly support circles
-
Track enrollment & retention data
Goal: $25,000
Phase 4 — Sustainability
Spring 2027
Focus
-
Safety Net Fund launch
-
Counseling access
Milestones
-
Partner with vetted off-campus therapists
-
Fund 60 subsidized sessions
-
Full program suite operational
-
Begin Year 2 planning
Goal: $47,000
Fundraising roadmap
We're building our founding Board of Directors.
Board members are the primary ambassadors for Ascend Thrive Together's fundraising and strategic direction — and every seat matters more when the organization is this young.
7 Hours
Estimated monthly time dedicated as a board member.
75%
Attendance required at scheduled monthly board meetings
Board Snapshot
Expertise sought
Law, Finance, Mental Health, Education
Also valuable
Sponsor & grant-maker introductions
Executive Director
Darren R. Jones, MPA
2 yrs
Term length, renewable based on performance and alignment