CONNECT to Operate Mental Wellness Alliance

Local Organizations Offering Mental Health Services Collaborate to Implement Comprehensive Strategic Plan Addressing Mental Wellness and Substance Abuse Issues in Summit and Wasatch Counties

Park City, Utah (May 1, 2023) – Park City Community Foundation is pleased to announce that CONNECT Summit County will now serve as the convener for partner organizations operating in the mental wellness space in Summit and Wasatch Counties. The Mental Wellness Alliance is a coalition focused on bringing together Summit County’s key stakeholders and mental health providers to create a powerful and coordinated approach to address the community’s mental wellness challenges.

“The collaborative nature of our Mental Wellness Alliance is essential to understanding and addressing the needs of our community. At CONNECT, we have a unified approach to address our community’s mental wellness challenges, and we are perfectly positioned to coordinate all the amazing partners who have been part of the Alliance,” said Julya Sembrat, Executive Director of CONNECT Summit County.”

The Mental Wellness Alliance was formed after the devasting drug-related deaths of two 13-year-old Park City students in 2016. At that time, the entire community rallied together with shared commitments from Summit County, Park City Municipal, Park City Community Foundation, and the three school districts to address mental health issues.

Park City Community Foundation housed the Mental Wellness Alliance during a transition period in which the Summit County Mental Wellness Strategic Plan was updated in 2022, and it is now supporting CONNECT Summit County in managing the Mental Wellness Alliance with a multiyear funding commitment.

“As an advocate and funder for the mental health in Summit County, Park City Community Foundation connects other mental wellness funders to local nonprofits and drives solutions through impactful grantmaking from our Mental Wellness Fund,” says Joel Zarrow, President and CEO. “Our community’s ability to address mental health issues has matured thanks to the work of all the mental wellness organizations, partners, and donors, and we are confident in CONNECT Summit County’s role to coordinate the Mental Wellness Alliance.”

“The housing of the Mental Wellness Alliance in CONNECT perfectly aligns with CONNECT’s and the Park City Community Foundation’s resources and shared missions. Together, both organizations will be able to target impacted populations and coordinate community efforts to address behavioral health issues toward successfully implementing the Summit County Mental Wellness Strategic Plan,” said Aaron Newman, the Director of Summit County’s Behavioral Health Division.

The Mental Wellness Alliance brings together partners and community members in Summit County to foster collaboration and identify gaps in service and support. This collaborative approach ensures the effective delivery of mental health services to the community and also includes law enforcement and the County’s school districts. Griffin Seifert has been hired by CONNECT to coordinate the Mental Wellness Alliance and its partners. His past business and marketing experience, along with his passion for mental health, will help him to be successful in this new role.

Mental Wellness Alliance partners that offer mental health programs and wellness services include the Christian Center of Park City, the Council on Aging, Holy Cross Ministries, Jewish Family Service of Utah, Latino Behavioral Health Services, Live Like Sam Foundation, People’s Health Clinic, Peace House, Summit County Clubhouse, Summit County Health Department Behavioral Health Division, Summit County Recovery Foundation among others.

Park City Community Foundation is committed to being a key partner and fundraiser for mental health in the community by actively raising and distributing funds for mental wellness programming in Summit County. Organizations or donors interested in supporting mental wellness can contact Diego Zegarra at diego@parkcitycf.org.

About CONNECT – CONNECT is the people’s voice for mental health in Summit and Wasatch Counties in Utah and is a hub for mental health community resources. Its mission is to create a well-informed and stigma-free community with access to mental health services for all. CONNECT offers comprehensive information about local mental health service providers, and advocates for more accessible mental health services in Summit County. CONNECT brings the entire community together to combat the stigma and isolation of mental illness, and coordinates Summit County Mental Wellness Alliance. Learn more at connectsummitcounty.org.

About Park City Community Foundation – The Community Foundation plays a vital role in solving the biggest challenges in greater Park City. It cares for and invests in our people, place, and culture by bringing together local nonprofits, donors, and community leaders to contribute financial resources and innovative ideas to benefit all the people of Park City—now and in the future. As the home of Live PC Give PC, Women’s Giving Fund, Solomon Fund, and other important initiatives, the Community Foundation has generated more than $49.5 million in total impact to the greater Park City community and Summit County since its inception in 2007. Learn more about donating, volunteering, fundraising, and getting involved at parkcitycf.org.

Media Contact: Christine Coleman, Park City Community Foundation, christine@parkcitycf.org, 415-209-8506.