The following is a heartfelt message from ACA’s Connecticut branch, the Connecticut Counseling Association, about the continued need to support those affected by the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, the Connecticut Counseling Association partnered with The Newtown Lions Club to create the Newtown Lions Foundation Sandy Hook Elementary Fund. The fund pays all the counseling costs for Sandy Hook Elementary family members, staff and first responders. Individuals may pick any licensed clinician and the fund will cover their out of pocket expenses. If the individual has no insurance, the Fund covers all the costs.
As of November, the Foundation has collected a little over $300,000, and has paid out over $200,000. The Newtown Lions and CCA are committed to keeping the fund going for ten years, but right now they are concerned that they will not be able to keep the fund going for much longer as the demand for Mental Health services is great. The Chair of the Foundation is Bob Schmidt, a past ACA North Atlantic Region Chair. He is working side by side with CCA Executive Director, Deborah DelVecchio-Scully.
The anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy is December 14. Please consider making a donation to support the mental health recovery of the Sandy Hook community. Online donations ca be made
here or you can mail a check to The Newtown Lions Foundation Sandy Hook Elementary Fund, Box 218, Newtown, CT 06470. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so any donation is tax deductible.
"My husband was out of work for several months this year. If it was not for the Fund, we would not have been able to afford counseling. Thank you so very much."
~ A Sandy Hook Mom
"We have been through such difficult times, but thanks to the Lions Club it is easy to get the counseling we need."
~ A Sandy Hook Parent