PRINCETON, NJ, September 5, 2024 – Budget cuts in many school districts throughout New Jersey unfortunately have resulted in less funding for youth mental health education. The need for such education is clearly evident in the continually increasing rates of depression and anxiety among youth. Fortunately, two school districts – Red Bank Regional School District and the Toms River School District – have passionate, determined leaders who are ensuring that their students receive AIR’s life- saving education.
AIR is infinitely grateful to Suzanne Keller, LSW, MSW, Supervisor of The SOURCE School-Based Youth Services Program and Freshman Academy at Red Bank Regional High School, and Dawn Aulisi, Student Assistance Coordinator for Toms River Regional Schools, for making this happen.
Suzanne and Dawn will be honored as Partners in Hope at AIR’s 8th Annual Taste of Hope event on October 9, 2024.
Suzanne Keller
Suzanne (pictured left, with her certified AIR School-Based Therapy Dog Riley) learned about AIR nearly 10 years ago during a School-Based Youth Services meeting with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF), Office of School Linked Services, which funds The SOURCE and similar programs throughout the state.
“Tricia presented her Coming Up for AIR® program, and I immediately knew that I wanted to incorporate it into our Suicide Education and Prevention Curriculum presentations in our health classes,” Suzanne said.
The SOURCE is also funded by the Red Bank Regional Board of Education and the SOURCE Foundation. The Source’s mission is to support the mental health, well-being and educational success of all students. “We build public and private partnerships to ensure quality services that are effective, culturally appropriate, and responsive to the diverse and changing needs of students and their communities,” Suzanne explained. “We fulfill our mission through best practices in comprehensive counseling services, prevention programming, animal-assisted interventions with our certified AIR School-Based Therapy Dog Riley, advocacy, academic support, employment services, family engagement, basic need fulfillment, public education/forums, scholarship programs and collaboration with community partners. All SOURCE programs are free.” The SOURCE provides crisis counseling; substance abuse education and counseling; and evidence-based curricula on life skills development and other essential topics.
“I am honored to receive this award because it symbolizes the strong and impactful partnership between The SOURCE and AIR. Through this collaboration, we have provided essential mental health education and resources to students in both English and Spanish, helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues,” Suzanne said. “The partnership with AIR has allowed us to offer comprehensive programs like the Coming Up for AIR presentation, which educates students and provides them with practical tools and a supportive community.”
Dawn Aulisi
Dawn (pictured right) learned about AIR during the Toms River School District’s professional development day in the fall of 2016. “All the student assistance coordinators were asked to attend the Attitudes In Reverse workshop. The goal was to establish a relationship with the organization, so we could bring the mental health education component to our schools,” she said.
“AIR is very unique. I have been in the prevention field for more than 30 years, and there were a few key components of AIR that jumped right out at me after first seeing the presentation. The vulnerability that is shared is beyond any other presentation. I immediately connected with the speaker, not only in my role as a student assistance coordinator, but also my role as a parent, daughter, sister and friend,” Dawn said. “The presentation has an emotional impact on all who experience it, regardless of age. Also, the presentation does not just end. There is ALWAYS follow-up and, in my opinion, that is what makes AIR extremely unique and successful. The cards that are distributed and students complete SAVE LIVES,” she added, referring to survey cards about students’ mental health challenges and concerns for friends, which are provided confidentially to the school counselors, who then connect with those students and provide the support they need. “I am a big believer in that. I have personally followed up with students whom I immediately referred to services,” Dawn said.
“At the time I was introduced to AIR, there was nothing like it in our classrooms. It has helped break the barriers and reduced the stigma associated with mental health challenges,” Dawn added.
AIR’s programs clearly complement the initiatives that Dawn and her colleagues have in place for Toms River students. These include ongoing school-based counseling services in collaboration with the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County, and a variety of other resources and programs for students and families.
Dawn also is very involved on an individual basis. For example, she initiated a Youth Prevention Coalition in her school through RWJBarnabas Health, and she participates on and supports the school district’s Mental Health Committee.
“Receiving this award is a testament to the incredible support and opportunities I have been given in the field of mental health prevention as a student assistance coordinator. I am truly grateful for AIR’s efforts to go above and beyond in recognizing their partners,” Dawn said. “The work of a student assistance coordinator is primarily behind the scenes, so being recognized as a Partner in Hope is exciting and thrilling for me. My recognition will serve as a catapult in my continued effort to spread the mission of AIR.”
Suzanne and Dawn will be honored along with Champions of Hope Bill Wells, Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager at TD Bank and a member of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, and Rachelle St. Phard, Founder of The BeTheLi9ht Foundation; and Partners in Hope Jeanette Vega, Director of Grant Financial Administration, The College of New Jersey, and Evelyn Bardzilowski, Vice President and Branch Manager, Northfield Bank.
AIR is most appreciative of the Taste of Hope event sponsors Szaferman Lakind Attorneys at Law; Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law; TD Bank; Philadelphia Insurance Companies; Leary, Bride, Mergner & Bongiovanni P.A. Attorneys at Law; Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America; Princeton Brain & Spine; Oaks Integrated Care; Renzi Legal Resources; and Hinkle, Prior & Fischer Attorneys at Law; and J. Robert Bratman.
AIR is equally grateful for the participating restaurants and dessert, wine and spirit vendors are Antimo’s Italian Restaurant, Bonefish Grill, Carella’s Chocolates, CATB Liquor Imports, Crown of India, De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies, Iron & Ivy at Princeton Marriott, Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor, KK Sweets, Local Greek, Outback Steakhouse, PF Chang’s, Pink Little Cakes, Public Wine, Beer & Spirits, Texas Roadhouse, Quality Wine & Spirits, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Seasons 52, Sourland Mountain Spirits and Starbucks.
