Save the Date!

Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation’s annual Celebrate the Light Gala was held on Friday, November 11 at Discovery World in Milwaukee. Each year, the Gala highlights one of the many life-saving programs at Rogers Behavioral Health. This year, the focus was on trauma recovery. In recognition of Veterans Day, the theme of the Gala was “Being at war with yourself: Enlisting in the healing process” with a portion of the proceeds directed to Patient Care Grants for military Veterans in their pursuit of recovery from the impact of trauma.

Thanks to generous corporate sponsors and donors, with roughly 340 people in attendance, the Foundation was able to raise a net profit of over $220,000 – all of which will go directly to providing free treatment for patients and families of Rogers Behavioral Health in need of care for mental health and addiction struggles.

The Celebrate the Light Gala featured keynote speaker Rae Anne Ho Fung, PhD, LP, clinical supervisor at Rogers Behavioral Health, Army Veteran, and childhood trauma survivor. Dr. Ho Fung gave a moving talk, sharing her story of recovery, a lifechanging friendship, and how the Iraq War solidified her decision to help others to overcome their trauma. Dr. Ho Fung shared how, according to research conducted over four decades, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can negatively affect the trajectory of an individual’s life, often leading to dropping out of school, unemployment, and even early death.

Thankfully, treatment works. Access to comprehensive recovery programs using evidenced-based trauma-focused psychotherapies, like the programs offered at Rogers, are shown to be the most effective treatments for reducing symptoms of trauma. Access to treatment allows survivors of trauma to feel safe again in the world so they may cope with stress and live fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Following Dr. Ho Fung’s presentation, local mental health advocate and social media influencer, JMatt, took the stage along with numerous friends of the Foundation to complete the 22 Pushup Challenge, an event created to raise awareness of the 22 Veterans that die by suicide every day. JMatt began this challenge in 2016 and, though only intended to go for 22 days, the Gala marked his 2,138th day, having not missed a single day of push-ups throughout this time.

The evening’s program was followed by a request to support our mission, led by Kevin Konopa, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Thanks to generous donations and proceeds from the silent and exclusive auctions, Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation will be able to provide approximately 380 days of care to those in need.

The Patient Care Grant program was started in response to the variable insurance coverage and limited personal resources that our patients and their families are sometimes up against. The Foundation provides free treatment to families who have limited insurance as well as for those whose personal resources are depleted. Grants are initiated by a patient’s treatment team and are available to those who meet established financial and clinical criteria.

To learn more about Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation, the Gala, or our Patient Care Grant Program, visit the Foundation’s intranet page, or external website: www.rogersbhfoundation.org