Audrie Pott Foundation Gives $15K Grant For Mental Health Services

The nonprofit Counseling And Support Services For Youth, or CASSY, and Musicians Mobile are the first recipients of grants given by the Audrie Pott Foundation.

The nonprofit was started to honor the memory of Saratoga High School student Audrie Pott, 15, who committed suicide Sept. 10, 2012 after authorities say she was bullied and sexually assaulted by three classmates.

CASSY partners with local schools to provide comprehensive mental health support for students and their families at no charge. Their services include individual, group and family counseling; classroom presentations on depression, suicide awareness and bullying prevention; consultation and training for school staff; and outreach to parents and the broader community.

CASSY currently provides mental health services for more than 17,500 students at 24 schools in Saratoga, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Milpitas.

The foundation gave CASSY a $5,000 grant, which was matched by two other donors for a total of $15,000.

"This organization has a great model which allows them to be on campus, free to the students, yet standing apart from the school and the school administration. It affords a comfortable communication channel for the kids and could not be more timely or easier for them to get to," said Audrie's father, Larry Pott.

CASSY Executive Director Liz Schoeben, a marriage and family therapist, said thanks to the support of organizations like the Audrie Pott Foundation, the nonprofit can ensure that students have the continuity of mental-health support from the first day of kindergarten until they graduate from high school.

The foundation has also announced the Audrie Pott Scholarship, through Musicians Mobile, which will provide a local youth 18 or under with in-home music lessons for one year.

The foundation will be looking for a recipient who demonstrates the desire, passion and ability for musical achievement.

"Musicians Mobile serves the local area, has a great reputation, and is staffed with talented teachers," Larry Pott said.

Audrie played the viola and the piano and always loved to sing. She was in the color guard in middle school and was part of the only middle school to perform at the inauguration of President Barack Obama, he added.

Musicians Mobile founder Nate Mueller expressed appreciation to the foundation  for creating the scholarship and its commitment to the musical community throughout Saratoga and Los Gatos.

In the past twelve months following Audrie's tragic death, the foundation has raised $13,000 in donations and wants to continue its goals of helping to preserve Audrie's memory by making a positive impact in the lives of children and teens.

The foundation hopes to continue to raise awareness about anti-suicide prevention methods, sexual assault awareness, counseling and education along with art and music scholarships to students in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The foundation has a goal of raising $25,000 in the next 12 months. Tax deductible donations (ID # 38-3889605) can be made online at www.AudriePottFoundation.com, or by mailing a check to the Audrie Pott Foundation, PO Box 2831, Saratoga CA 95070-9998.

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