By: Robyn Darnell, FHW PR and Communications Coordinator
Everyone needs help sometimes. In a community like ours, caring for our neighbors during difficult times matters just as much as celebrating with them in moments of joy. At Family Health West, we believe that no one in our community should have to face depression, anxiety, trauma or isolation alone because they cannot afford help. In 2026, the FHW Foundation launched our new Resilience Fund which helps provide mental health care to Mesa County Residents who might not otherwise be able to afford treatment.
The Resilience Fund is a partnership with the FHW Foundation and the FHW Behavioral Health Clinic. Every $1,000 raised can support one person who is struggling to access the care they need. Eligible patients of all ages can receive mental health support in the form of counseling, group therapy or even psychiatric care.
“The Resilience Fund aligns closely with the Family Health West Foundation’s mission to make every patient’s day a little better,” FHW Senior Director of Marketing and Foundation, Eric Mello, said. “By focusing on mental health support, the fund not only benefits patients, but also extends its impact to their families, coworkers and the wider Mesa County community.”
The introduction of the Resilience fund represents a new era for the FHW Foundation. With a new driving force at the heart of our organization, we’re excited to support our community with new passion and the continued values that FHW has always represented. For us, the Resilience fund is about more than just checking a required box, it’s about supporting our neighbors where they need it the most.
“This strategic shift means that, for the foreseeable future, most fundraising efforts will be directed toward expanding the reach and impact of the Resilience Fund,” Mello said. “By concentrating resources in this area, the Foundation aims to address some of the community’s most pressing needs, particularly in improving access to mental health services for those facing financial barriers.”
For longtime supporters of the FHW Foundation, it’s important to note that the change is centered around adding additional support, not replacing existing programs that serve the community.
“While the Family Health West Foundation will continue supporting established programs like the Aspen Fund, which provides mammograms for individuals without adequate insurance coverage, and Go Baby Go, which supplies customized mobility vehicles for children with disabilities or injuries, its primary focus is shifting toward the Resilience Fund,” Mello said.
Most recently, the FHW Foundation hosted the 16th annual Old Fossil Golf Tournament, where over 100 golfers showed up to support mental health care in Mesa County. Looking ahead, the FHW Foundation is excited to use our annual Red Baron Bash on September 12 at the Asteria Theater as an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the new Resilience Fund. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available now.
Anyone interested in supporting the FHW Foundation or the Resilience Fund can donate directly through our website https://fhw.org/foundation/ or contact Eric Mello directly at 970-858-2167.
