SUWS and Skys the Limit Partnership

SUWS Adolescent & Youth Program for struggling teens has announced that it received approval as a "Partner Program" with Sky's the Limit Fund. Sky's the Limit Fund is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization that assists families with the services and resources they need in times of crisis. The Sky's the Limit Fund helps alleviate families' financial barriers to treatment with financial assistance and support. Sky's the Limit Fund requires partner treatment programs to match financial assistance 100%, essentially doubling all donations.

As part of the partnership, the SUWS wilderness program will give alumni families the opportunity to give back to the program that has helped transform their lives and futures through donations on behalf of their children. SUWS also will engage in fundraising activities for Sky's the Limit Fund, earmarking donations for prospective SUWS families that meet the criteria for financial assistance.

"SUWS is excited for this wonderful opportunity to partner with parents and professionals in a genuine way of helping those in need," said Kathy Rex, CTRS and Executive Director of SUWS. "Sky's the Limit Fund is an outstanding group of people who are committed and dedicated to a clear vision and higher purpose, and I am honored for SUWS to be a part of their team."
The partnership is the result of a mass collaborative effort by Shirley Wantland, Aspen Education Group Regional Outreach Specialist, Dr. Rick Meeves, Director of Adolescent Clinical Services for CRC Health Group, Millie Anderson, SUWS Admissions Director, and Rex, and included face-to-face meetings with Sky's the Limit Fund co-founder, Rochelle Bochner, and board members. Sky's the Limit Fund requires site visits of all programs as part of their approval process. During their tour of SUWS, the board members met with field staff, sat in on a student group, and learned about the philosophy and passion that is the legacy of SUWS.

"I learned a lot about the underpinnings of the program and, quite frankly, I am impressed on many levels," said Michael Sato, Sky's the Limit Fund Board Member. "The office staff, the field instructors and the field clinicians all had some story to highlight the 'calling' and true demonstrated desire to leave an indelible print on those teens they interacted with - a rare quality of caring supported by a true ability to assist those teens to look at their life differently and be a part of the life they want. The SUWS staff that I was fortunate to meet seem to approach it with dedication and personal resolve."

It was ultimately decided that SUWS met the criteria for Sky's the Limit Fund Partner Programs, filling a special niche for those families with specific relational challenges, as well as providing a financial benefit for families with limited resources with its variable length of stay.

"We are experiencing an epidemic that is affecting our youth and young adult population and this epidemic does not discriminate among ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomics," said Bochner. "These problems include, but are not limited to, substance abuse, mental health and social difficulties. Left untreated, these issues will ultimately have lifelong implications on a person's life. Wilderness treatment programs provide effective and personalized therapeutic care, achieving high-impact and long-lasting improvement. Students who attend wilderness therapy programs make emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal strides, and discover their true value as members of their community."

As one teen wrote, "I am awed by the generosity showed to me by complete strangers. Without Sky's the Limit Fund, I would never have been able to attend wilderness therapy. I am beginning my journey to a new life and can't wait to see what is on the other side of the mountain. Thank you for believing in me!"

SUWS Adolescent & Youth Program offers therapeutic wilderness programs for boys and girls ages 11 to 17 who are experiencing low self-esteem, defiant behavior, attention deficit, depression, substance abuse, and other emotional and behavioral issues. The program focuses on clinical intervention and assessment, and uses the outdoors as an alternative to conventional treatment environments while engaging students using traditional therapeutic methods. For more information, visit http://suwsidaho.crchealth.com/.

SUWS is a program of Aspen Education Group, the nation's leading provider of therapeutic education programs for struggling or underachieving young people. Aspen's services range from short-term intervention programs to residential treatment, and include a variety of therapeutic settings such as boarding schools, outdoor behavioral health programs and special needs summer camps, allowing professionals and families the opportunity to choose the best setting to meet a student's unique academic and emotional needs. Aspen Education Group is a member of CRC Health Group, the most comprehensive network of specialized behavioral care services in the nation. Since 1995, CRC Health has been achieving successful outcomes for individuals and families.

SUWS is a program of Aspen Education Group, the nation's leading provider of therapeutic education programs for struggling or underachieving young people. Aspen's services range from short-term intervention programs to residential treatment, and include a variety of therapeutic settings such as boarding schools, outdoor behavioral health programs and special needs summer camps, allowing professionals and families the opportunity to choose the best setting to meet a student's unique academic and emotional needs. Aspen Education Group is a member of CRC Health Group, the most comprehensive network of specialized behavioral care services in the nation. Since 1995, CRC Health has been achieving successful outcomes for individuals and families.