Grant Support from San Diego Foundation Expands Mending Matters' School-Based Mental Health Services
The Californer/10359062

SAN DIEGO - Californer -- Initiative will expand in-person student support while preparing emerging behavioral health professionals to serve San Diego County schools.

Mending Matters, a San Diego-based nonprofit that provides school-based mental health support in San Diego County, has received grant support from San Diego Foundation to expand supportive interventions and mental health support for youth in San Diego County and strengthen the region's behavioral health workforce.

Through its Supportive Interventions and Wellness Coach Workforce Development Initiative, Mending Matters will expand service hours at a school site and provide students with accessible mental health support and schoolwide mental health activities. The initiative will also create training and career opportunities for emerging behavioral health professionals.

"At San Diego Foundation, we are deeply committed to connecting philanthropic resources with local nonprofits to increase access to support directly in communities," said Allan Gamboa, Director, Family Well-Being at San Diego Foundation. "By partnering with trusted organizations like Mending Matters, we can scale community-driven solutions that meet youth where they are and build a stronger, more resilient behavioral health workforce for the region."

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The workforce development component will support workforce opportunities for Mending Matter's Certified Wellness Coaches in San Diego. In partnership with Wellness Together, coaches will receive structured training and support as they serve students in school settings and build preparation for long-term careers in mental and behavioral health.

"We are grateful for San Diego Foundation's investment in both student well-being and the future behavioral health workforce," said Audrey Fabre, LCSW, Clinical Operations Director at Mending Matters. "This support helps us expand meaningful, in-person care in schools while creating practical training and career opportunities for emerging professionals who want to serve young people."

By placing support directly in school communities, Mending Matters works alongside educators and district care teams to ensure students can access timely, culturally responsive services in familiar settings.

"Young people need meaningful, in-person connection and mental health support right on campus," said Britney Stone, LMFT, Senior Director of Partnerships at Wellness Together. "Building a stronger behavioral health workforce is essential to expanding access to care, removing barriers to support, and helping students get help before challenges become crises."

The grant supports Mending Matters' efforts to expand support for students and strengthen the behavioral health workforce needed to sustain that support over time.

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"San Diego Foundation's strategic investment recognizes that local nonprofits are uniquely positioned to respond to the needs of their communities," said Robert Garcia, Chief Operating Officer of Wellness Together. "By investing in both direct services and workforce development, San Diego Foundation is helping expand the support available to students today while building the capacity San Diego will need for the future."

School and district leaders interested in learning more about Certified Wellness Coaches or school-based mental health support may contact Audrey Fabre at Mending Matters.

About Mending Matters

Mending Matters is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization that provides mental health support to schools throughout San Diego County. Through school-based services and Certified Wellness Coaches, Mending Matters helps students build social-emotional skills and access support that promotes emotional well-being, academic success, and resilience.

About Wellness Together

Wellness Together is a national nonprofit organization, partnering with school districts, higher education institutions, and community organizations to increase access to mental health services and promote emotional well-being for students, families, and educators.