Face It Foundation

Leveraging the power of peer support, Face it works with men to recover from depression and to prevent suicide

Dear Friends and Supporters,

It is with great enthusiasm I write this note looking back on the accomplishments of Face It since last year's Give to the Max Day!  As you know, we moved physical locations in June of 2021 and ever since that day we have been filling our space with new groups, new programs, and plenty of energy in our fight to help men recover from depression and prevent suicide.

We are just about to launch support group NUMBER 20!!  We are currently serving nearly 205 men in our support groups and as fast as we open up a new group, we fill it.  While the demand is disheartening, the fact that men are reaching out at a greater rate and have a place to get support, is the real victory! We now have 28 volunteer facilitators.  These dedicated men give 26 nights a year to support other men and the success they are having these men recover from depression is phenomenal! 

Other accomplishments over the last year include the recording and release of 30 episodes of our podcast "What's the Point", 45 men completing the Westrom Initiative which is our peer support/therapy program, the full resumption of our monthly men's breakfast and retreats, 24 public presentations, multiple social activities, and just announced...we have partnered with a local artist/author to offer a winter class series teaching men art skills to help manage their depression and anxiety.  Face It continues to find new and innovative ways to help men!

A significant milestone reached this year is that we have surpassed the 120,000-hour mark of FREE peer support services provided.  Since launching our first peer support group in 2011, Face It has never charged one dollar for a group, a class, a crisis phone call or visit, a retreat, a breakfast, or any other service we offer. We have been able to do this because of YOU!  The gratitude both Bill and I feel for all of you runs deep and our commitment to use your financial support wisely is as strong as ever. 

More good news for this year's Give to the Max Day...we have received $25,000 in matching funds courtesy of our very dear friends Debbie and Rick O'Gara!  This is an aggressive number for us to reach, but we know that it can be done. These matching dollars are so very important to us and the kindness the O'Gara's have shown to Face It over the years has been amazing! 

With Covid in the rear mirror (all fingers and toes crossed!) I say with great confidence that we are growing, we are improving the quality of the peer support services we offer, we are helping more men, and we are at the ready to offer the next 100,000 hours of peer support.  Thank you and please join us as we continue onward in our mission to help men enter recovery from their depression and to prevent suicide.

With deep gratitude,

Mark and Bill

The Face It Experience and why our work is important!