Grand Forks Public Schools has received a $10,000 donation from TEARS (Together we Educate About the Realities of Suicide), school district administrators announced Monday, Dec. 16.
The funds will be used to financially support Sources of Strength, a youth suicide prevention program.
Sources of Strength, considered to be a “best practice,” is designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture in order to prevent suicide, bullying and substance abuse.
The donation will be used by the program’s lead adult advisers to purchase materials for the Sources of Strength program at their schools.
The program is operating in each of the district’s middle and high schools.
ADVERTISEMENT
Century Elementary School is one of five elementary schools in the nation to pilot the elementary curriculum this school year, according to Tracy Jentz, communications coordinator for the school district.
TEARS was established to support individuals and families who have lost a loved one to suicide and to provide education aimed at preventing suicide in this community and region.
“TEARS is thankful for our partnership with Grand Forks Public Schools, specifically, the Sources of Strength program,” Moriah Opp, TEARS coordinator, said in a news release. “We chose to donate to Sources of Strength because we whole-heartedly believe that upstream suicide prevention programs like Sources of Strength support the mental wellness of not only this generation but future generations in our community.”
Geoff Gaukler, mental health coordinator at Grand Forks Public Schools, worked with Opp to secure the donation from TEARS, which is part of Altru Health System.
“We would like to thank Altru for their generous donation,” Gaukler said. “This will support the efforts of the peer leaders and adult advisers as they seek to spread hope, help and stories of strength throughout each of their schools.”
