Like many nonprofits, organizations that provide mental health and mental wellness services in the Wasatch Back rely on volunteers. “Of course, volunteers usually aren’t therapists, but they help these agencies put on events, help with outreach efforts, do fundraising and other things,” sa id John Davis, founder and chief executive officer of Summit Support, a nonprofit that works to connect individuals with the mental health resources, reduce stigma and foster a supportive community. “They also carry the message of the agencies they volunteer for into the community. They really stretch what agencies can do.” So, Summit Support and its partner, the Summit County Mental Wellness Alliance, will honor these agencies’ volunteers during a free community gathering at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Park City Library’s Community Room, 1255 Park Ave. Snacks and beverages will be provided, and a Spanish translator will be on hand as well.  “This is the last event of a month-and-a-half of mental health gathering that Summit County Mental Wellness Alliance, who is led by Anna Frouchou, and Summit Support, as partners, have produced or publicized,” Davis said. “We’ve done seminars, workshops and open houses, all kinds of stuff, in cooperation with different agencies throughout April and May, and we decided to wrap things up and show appreciation to these volunteers.” The organizations represented by these volunteers are Holy Cross Ministries, Jacky’s Recovery Support Services, Jewish Family Service of Utah, Live Like Sam, the Christian Center of Park City, Peace House, People’s Health Clinic and the Summit County Clubhouse. Each agency has its own specialty, and there is a “unique level and spirit of cooperation” between them, according to Davis. “If someone comes in and an agency can’t help, it will refer the person to another agency,” he said. “The people who run these agencies are super, and I know that because I’ve gotten to know them through what Summit Support does. The work they all do is not easy, and volunteers go above and beyond.” Christian Center of Park City, alone, relies on volunteers to help it serve the community and meet people at their point of need with dignity and respect, according to Executive Director Steve Richardson. “Volunteers support our efforts in a variety of ways, including serving in our food pantries, thrift stores, donation-receiving area and a variety of service events,” he said. When Davis started Summit Support in 2024, he didn’t know the full scope of work these organizations tackled. “I only somewhat knew because I was a donor,” he said. “My wife Mary (Gootjes) and I have mental health issues in our family, so mental health wasn’t a stranger to us.” In addition to donating money, Davis would donate his time as a volunteer for Peace House. “But I didn’t know Live Like Sam,” he said. “I didn’t know Holy Cross Ministries or Jacky’s Recovery, and I want to say they are fantastic.” Davis and Frachou will hand out certificates to the volunteers during Wednesday’s gathering. “Each volunteer will be introduced by their nonprofits’ executive directors or other representatives, and we’re hoping family and friends of these volunteers come,” Davis said. “Then Anna and I will talk about what we have done for mental health.” Davis had two missions in mind when he founded Summit Support. “One is to bring mental health out of the backwater, and boy, are there myths and stigmas attached to it, which is nonsense,” he said. “The second is to help all the different agencies that have mental health programs. I wanted to support them because they are really good at what they do. They have clinicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and case workers, but all of them are understaffed, overworked and underfunded. That’s why we want to recognize their volunteers.” Mental Health Volunteer Appreciation When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Where: Park City Library Community Room, 1255 Park Ave. Cost: Free Web: summitsupport.org and summitcountyhealth.org/alliance The post Nonprofits will celebrate volunteers who help mental health services appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less