Seven Hills Foundation affiliate, Children’s Friend, has received $49,500.00 from the Fairlawn Foundation Fund and $10,000 from the Mabel A. Horne Fund towards their Gender Wellness Initiative. The Ellsworth Child and Family Center at Children’s Friend offers families, children, and caregivers counseling and other mental health services including addressing the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming youth and young people who are struggling with questions about their sexuality or identity.  Numerous studies have shown that gender non-conforming children are at far greater risk of depression, school adjustment problems, bullying, suicide, self-harming behaviors, and substance abuse than their peers. It is incredibly crucial for this at-risk gender-minority population to be given the mental health help and support that they deserve.

We are proud to partner with foundations such as the Fairlawn Foundation Fund and the Mabel A. Horne Fund who believe as we do that providing supports to children early in their lives gives them the best chance for success.  Generous funding from these foundations will be used to strengthen services in Children’s Friends’ Gender Wellness Initiative program.