NAPLES — David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider serving children, adults and families, received a $183,000 grant from the Collier’s Reserve Country Club (CRCC) Women’s Club. The funds will support the recent capital expansion of the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit as well as increase children’s mental health awareness and education.

CRCC members have a robust commitment to philanthropy. Members actively participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year to make Naples a better place to live for everyone.

For more than 20 years, the CRCC Women’s Club has been raising money for organizations that serve women and children. Past recipients have included Books for Collier’s Kids, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, Neighborhood Health Clinic, Youth Haven and PACE Center for Girls.

After a thoughtful process that included a presentation of the needs by DLC leadership, their grants committee voted to fundraise for DLC’s Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit expansion and services based on the growing demand for children’s services, the shortage of resources and the ongoing children’s mental health and suicide crisis.

“After learning more about children’s mental health concerns, our membership strongly believed that we had to do something to help families address the anxiety and other concerns brought on by outside influences, such as social media and the pandemic,” said Peggy Wilson, Co-chair of the CRCC Women’s Club Community Service Committee. “The number of mental health struggles that go untreated as well as increasing suicide rates among children gave us pause. Choosing to support children’s mental health was a clear choice and something we know our membership could rally around and make a real difference in the lives of young people.”

They titled their annual fundraising effort “Compete for the Kids.” To raise the funds, they held a number of fundraising events throughout the year that included: a twilight golf tournament and dinner; a bocce and glow in the dark pickleball event; and a happy hour cocktail party with live music, a raffle and a presentation by DLC CEO Scott Burgess.

“We feel incredibly blessed and grateful to have been selected by the CRCC grant committee and so warmly received by the entire community as the recipient of their fundraising efforts this year,” said DLC CEO Scott Burgess. “Their passion, deep interest, and dedication to fundraising for mental health and wellness is simply extraordinary. Through their efforts, they have greatly aided in raising children’s mental health awareness, decreasing stigma and providing resources to help those struggling to not only survive, but thrive.”

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions, available for children, adolescents and adults. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, DLC serves more than 9,000 people through over 314,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call 239-455-8500 or visit www.DLCenters.org.