Innovators Society

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We Power the Innovators: Accelerating New Solutions for Mental Wellness

The Innovators Society, a program of Community First Foundation, invests in promising, but not yet proven, nonprofit innovations to increase awareness and change perceptions of mental health. We engage a network of committed nonprofit innovators, community leaders and community investors to accelerate new solutions for mental wellness.

The Innovators Society invests in nonprofit innovations that are changing public perceptions of mental health and mental illness while reducing stigma. Selected innovators receive expert coaching and assistance to develop a solid plan for their innovation. The heart of this program is collaboration between the nonprofits and communities.

Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization

AOPYO engages youth to normalize mental health stigmas through leadership, arts, wellness, skilled trades, and the Apprentice of Peace philosophy and principles.
Email Derwin Pos Ryant

Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization

B.I.O.N.I.C.

Grand Prize Winner!

The B.I.O.N.I.C. Team empowers young people to reach out to students facing challenging times so they know they are not alone. B.I.O.N.I.C. won the $50,000 grand prize for The Innovators Society 2.0.
Email Sandy Austin

B.I.O.N.I.C.

My Quiet Cave

My Quiet Cave creates spaces for faith and mental health. They tap into the power of faith communities and empower and equip congregations to give people tangible tools and skills, share stories, and experience their value together.
Email Brandon Appelhans

My Quiet Cave

Open Labs

Open Labs is the vehicle behind the Open Movement, placing the people who experience brain conditions (or mental illness) in the driver seat. They are building a world where we all have the hope we need to live openly.
Email Hollis

Open Labs

Young Invincibles

YI’s leadership program, Young Advocates for Healthy Living, trains and empowers young people who are committed to improving mental health care access, and ending stigma on college campuses.
Email Christina Postolowski

Young Invincibles

YouthRoots

The YouthRoots RAISE Program uses our youth-led civic engagement model to empower high school students to support mental health work and tackle stigma in their schools.
Email Lauren Czajka

YouthRoots

Bright by Three

Bright by Text sends text messages to parents and caregivers with tips and resources to support children in the early years of life.
Email Jared Wigdor

Bright by Three

Clayton Early Learning

EMBRACE is a mindfulness training program to help early childhood educators reduce stress, build emotional resiliency and create a positive learning experience for vulnerable children.
Email Cathy McCarty

Clayton Early Learning

Center on Network Science, CU Denver

The PCN App analyzes patients’ social support network data and provides a menu of resources for health care providers.
Email Danielle Varda

Center on Network Science, CU Denver

Im'Unique

Breakin’ Bread, Breakin’ Barriers fosters healthy lifestyles and awareness by enriching the mind and body through holistic wellness education such as yoga, cooking classes and healthy living workshops.
Email Tyrone Beverly

Im'Unique

Project Helping

Project Helping organizes meaningful and socially engaging volunteer experiences to improve mental wellness and combat depression. Project Helping won the $50,000 grand prize for The Innovators Society inaugural year.
Email Justin Kruger

Project Helping
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