DownEast Honors Mental Health Awareness Month With Support for Bridle Up Hope
Salt Lake City (PRWEB) May 15, 2014 -- Utah-based retailer DownEast today announced it is using a portion of funds from its annual charitable fundraising program to partner with Bridle Up Hope: The Rachel Covey Foundation, a non-profit that assists young women struggling with depression and related conditions through equestrian training. May is also Mental Health Month, a time when advocates and activists work to raise awareness of mental illness and help fight the stigma that prevents people from accessing needed services.
Bridle Up Hope: The Rachel Covey Foundation was named after Rachel Covey of Alpine, Utah, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 21. Throughout her life, Rachel battled depression but found relief in working with horses. After her death, Rachel’s parents were inspired to carry on her passion by helping young women overcome personal struggles and build confidence through equestrian training. The program is targeted to females ages 12-25 who have a desire to ride horses but have never had the opportunity, and who may lack self-confidence or have depression, anxiety or a similar condition. There is no cost for participation as services are supported entirely through contributions.
Although depression and other mood disorders occur in both genders, by the teen years, girls are much more at risk, according to the Child Mind Institute. The organization states that by mid-adolescence, girls are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder as boys.
While Bridle Up Hope serves 100 young women each year at its temporary location in Highland, Utah, the non-profit’s goal is to expand to other locations and offer assistance to many more in need. It plans to build larger facilities and a new headquarters on 128 acres in Alpine, Utah, through its Equestrian Center Campaign.
“Young women face more pressures than ever before, often leading to mental health disorders and withdrawal from everyday life. Our goal is to use equine training to help them reconnect and establish self-confidence and inner joy,” said Sean Covey, co-founder of Bridle Up Hope. “We operate entirely through donations from our contributors and are grateful for DownEast’s generous support.”
According to DownEast CEO Klane Murphy, “May is Mental Health Month, which we thought was an ideal time to provide support to an organization that is doing such important work in the lives of young women. We’re honored to help increase awareness about Bridle Up Hope and to partner with them in expanding their reach to more of those who are struggling with depression, anxiety and other serious conditions.”
With 55 locations throughout the West, DownEast strives to be connected to the communities where it does business through its support of local non-profits. Its efforts further extend to its annual LIVE for Pink tee-shirt campaign with proceeds going to charities in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a partnership with CHOICE Humanitarian, which operates in rural villages in developing countries to help end poverty.
On the Internet, visit Bridle Up Hope: The Rachel Covey Foundation to make a donation or learn more about the organization, including volunteer opportunities.
About DownEast
DownEast (http://www.downeastbasics.com), a leader in stylish and affordable apparel, home furnishings and accessories, believes that shopping should be a fun, guilt-free experience. Founded in 1991 and still family owned and operated, DownEast continues its goal of bringing customers the very best merchandise – from national brands to its own DownEast lines of home furnishings and DownEast Basics apparel – at the very best prices.
The fast-growing retailer operates nationally with its Basics line via its online store in addition to 55 locations throughout the West including in Utah, Colorado, California, Idaho, Arizona, Washington and Nevada.
Kathy Cabrera, Fizz Brands, http://www.fizzbrands.com, 770.569.8221, [email protected]
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