Sound Circle of Compassion Event Focuses on Middle School Program

With a new school year set to begin on Sept. 7, the timing couldn’t be better for Sound’s Circle of Compassion event which focuses, this year, on the organization’s unique behavioral health program that supports kids in middle school.  The pandemic, of course, effectively closed schools down for part of the 2020 and most of the 2021 school year, which made the Middle School Support Program (MSSP) program a more vital resource that ever before for students already experiencing life struggles, anxiety, stress, depression and other issues.

The invite-only event, at AQUA on Pier 70, takes place on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. and will highlight (MSSP), a one-of-a-kind program that has successfully served students at Aki Kurose Middle School, Asa Mercer International Middle School and Denny International Middle School for the past 12 years. Guests will be encouraged to support the program with a gift. For those unable to attend, please consider supporting this program by visiting Sound’s donation page.

The program, funded by Grousemont Foundation and the Nesholm Family Foundation, places a dedicated mental healthcare professional, called a Care Coordinator, onsite within the school environment. This professional is skilled at early detection of behavioral health issues among students, and provides counseling and referrals to other services.

“This program just excites us and our partners,” says Susan Bean, Chief Development Officer. “Unlike other school-based programs, MSSP is in the school every day, in close contact with the kids, at the most vulnerable times of their lives. This program proves that a unique partnership of students, their families, the school administrators and Sound can actually work together to bring out great results for the kids.”

Despite the program’s effectiveness in supporting vulnerable kids, MSSP continues to need ongoing community support to ensure its success. This year’s Circle of Compassion event will build support for the program by expanding its format to include a video featuring a compelling student story and an opportunity to donate to the program. Sound’s Board Chair, Robert Stadler and Sound’s President & CEO Patrick Evans, will speak at the event. Stephanie Edler, Mental Health Director with Seattle Public Schools, and a former MSSP Care Coordinator, will be a guest speaker at the event.

To learn more about how to become a Circle of Compassion member, contact Susan Bean, Chief Development Officer, at 206-901-2060 or by emailing development@sound.health.


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