Background Statement
Since 2016 Foundation 1023 has provided thousands of hours of mental wellness care to our first responders. Has helped train over 500 peer support team members and hosted several peer driven activities. Our staff operates on a volunteer basis, making sure that donated fund are used for our mission and operation. Read more to learn about our back ground and mission.
Kristin, our Friend and peer from Flight for Life Colorado was a Flight Nurse flying with StarFlight in Travis County Texas. She had an insatiable love for life and the outdoors as she dealt with her personal need of overcoming exhaustion, stress and the numerous hours she committed to her career as a first responder. Unfortunately, Kristin died in a rescue incident April 27th, 2015. Her badge number was 1023
Our observations after her death and her career were the numerous first responders and families of first responders who were mentally and physically suffering from the personal and life stress of their career.
Through conversations with key counselors and therapists who provide counseling and resources to First Responders nationally, it was found ( at the time) there was not an organization of similarity. Thus, a passion was unveiled to put First Responders first and make available a network of prescreened, top therapists and care providers that could provide confidential emotional and mental wellness services. In addition, we would make available outdoor programs and opportunities for First Responders, their families and loved ones that would also have positive impact on mental, physical and emotional health while raising funds for Foundation 1023.
From the funding obtained through Colorado Gives we will implement our base mission of supporting the emotional and mental wellness of First Responders, their loved ones and families. These connections and professional sessions will be provided at the expense of Foundation 1023 and confidential payment made via a unique identifier for each reference. This process instills confidence in the client base and assists in the removal of stigma related to mental health.
In addition to providing funding for confidential counseling, Foundation 1023 offer Peer Support team training, and offer peer supported outdoor activities and events for First Responders and their families to participate and/or serve, which will assist in providing emotional and mental release from the stresses they incur.
The opportunities for fundraising and for activity implementation are broad and the end objectives specific. Foundation 1023 may also support specific initiatives that other organizations offer as long as they are or can be directly related to the emotional and mental wellness of the first responder and their families.