Kikifer’s Entrepreneur Academy, a private school in Rockford, is calling on the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board for financial support to enhance its mental health program. The academy, which focuses on providing mentorship and mental health resources, has requested funding to establish a dedicated facility for mental health services.
At a press conference held Thursday, the academy’s leadership emphasized the significance of such opportunities for Black-led organizations. The Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, which has been allocated $60 million to address the region’s urgent mental health needs, is the target of Kikifer’s request.
Despite three previous denials since August, the academy’s owners are hopeful for a change. On January 8, they will present their case to the board in an effort to secure funding for the project. If approved, Kikifer’s would become the first Black-owned organization to receive financial support from the mental health council.
Keishonda Williamson, the academy’s owner, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating, “It will be really important so that we can take the mentorship and mental health programming that we provide to our students here in school and extend that to the entire Winnebago County. It’s important for everyone in the community to have access to mental health resources.”
The requested funding will help the academy create a specialized facility aimed at addressing the mental health needs of students and the broader community, underscoring the academy’s commitment to expanding its support services for local residents.
Related topics:
