2020 Year in Review
Even without the pandemic, 2020 was a milestone year for Skyland Trail as we welcomed teens and grew our residential adolescent treatment program that opened in October 2019. Of course there was a pandemic, and in addition to growing the adolescent program, we also transitioned our adult day treatment program to a virtual platform – in just one week – and reengineered our residential programs to ensure the health and safety of clients and staff on campus.
Adult Residential Treatment
Admissions to our adult residential treatment program increased 6% over 2019. While some programs temporarily halted admissions due to the pandemic, Skyland Trail was able to safely remain open, in large part due to private rooms, a campus dedicated as a precautionary facility, and our on-site Glenn Family Wellness Clinic and medical team.
Adolescent Treatment
We welcomed 57 adolescents to the residential treatment program. The adolescent program also was fully licensed by the state and certified by The Joint Commission. Contracts were approved with three insurance carriers – Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna – which increased access to care for families covered by these plans.
Virtual Education
While many events were canceled – from workshops to national conferences – Skyland Trail experts found creative ways to connect with new audiences, participating in 22 virtual events reaching at least 1,165 individuals. Events included the annual Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture Series focused on protecting mental health during a pandemic for everyone from children to executives.
Financial Aid
Skyland Trail awarded $2.5 million in financial aid in 2020, a 41% increase over 2019. More than 45% of clients enrolled in residential or day treatment services were awarded financial aid to cover a portion of their treatment.
2020 Client Community
Alumni Client Story: Sparkle
Despite traveling the world, Sparkle struggled to stay grounded. Skyland Trail helped her learn the skills she needed to work toward a healthy future and is almost ready for her next adventure.
2020 Skyland Trail Donors
View a list of annual donors, contributors to special events, and honor and memorial gifts.
2020 Skyland Trail Donors
View a list of annual donors, contributors to special events, and honor and memorial gifts.
Why We Give
By Sharmila and Sreeni Prabhu
"We were introduced to Skyland Trail by our friends Mark and Betsy West. We didn’t know much about the organization before meeting them. They had invited us to Benefits of Laughter. Needless to say, we had an amazing evening - enjoying the company of our friends, sharing a lot of laughs and helping a great cause! That was close to eight years ago. We have contributed every year since then.
We have chosen to support an organization that focuses on mental health in hopes to help change the negative connotations, misconceptions, and stigma that go along with it. We believe this can be done by being actively involved with Skyland Trail. We’re hoping that, when our communities can go back to some normalcy, we can continue on our social gatherings and raise awareness on this topic."
Corporate Donor Spotlight
"Promoting and supporting employee wellbeing is part of GPC’s company culture. We provide programs to our associates that focus on every aspect of total wellbeing, including mental health and emotional wellbeing, which is particularly important in these challenging times. We understand that this support makes a real difference in our employees’ lives and makes us a stronger business.
Also part of our culture is our desire to be responsible corporate citizens, making a positive contribution to the communities around us. That’s why we sponsor an important community facility like Skyland Trail. Skyland Trail’s focus on mental wellness aligns with our values and mission—to help make a positive difference in people’s lives and strengthen the communities where our employees and neighbors live."
Will Stengel
President, Genuine Parts Company
Genuine Parts Company was a platinum sponsor of Benefits of Laughter 2020
More Than a Diagnosis:
A Grateful Family Story
"My son is bright, funny, compassionate and kind. He's the person that everyone always enjoys talking to at a gathering as he's interested, attentive and fun. Yet during that week, we were unable to calm him or get him to believe that he would get relief from this terrible onslaught of emotions. He was bereft and kept saying that he couldn't live with these feelings he was having.
We immediately began searching for treatment options, and a good friend told us about Skyland Trail. We were so grateful he was admitted, and he soon was part of the Skyland Trail day treatment program for the next couple of months. The contrast and scope in care was beyond measure...
To demonstrate our many thanks to Skyland Trail, our family decided to give back by supporting Skyland Trail events like the Associates Luncheon and Benefits of Laughter. In addition to the financial contribution, I felt confident that, if I could invite people that I know to these events and introduce them to Skyland Trail, and share my son’s story, they too would become inspired, interested and supportive."
Planned Giving Spotlight
"When I first met with Beth Finnerty 30 years ago, I told her that I didn’t want mental illness to be something people whispered about. I had a longtime family friend whose daughter suffered from schizophrenia, and I saw how it totally affected the family. This is what inspired me to support Skyland Trail– so others did not have to go through the same experience. I am pleased to be a member of The Cypress Society, knowing that my gift will have a lasting impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of this special organization."
Beth Jones
Skyland Trail Emeritus Board
Photo: Beth Finnerty, Skyland Trail president and CEO, (left) with Beth Jones (right)
2020 Financial Aid
While clients and families are responsible for a portion of their treatment costs, the Mark C. West Financial Aid Program helps fill the gap. Financial aid helps clients stay in treatment longer, giving them time to fully develop the skills needed to sustain recovery and prevent relapse after leaving Skyland Trail. Beyond the financial impact, financial aid awards relieve stress and help families focus on what is truly important – supporting their loved ones and helping their families heal.
Skyland Trail awarded 41% more financial aid dollars in 2020 than in 2019.
45%
of clients received financial aid awards
$13,208
average award per recipient
$2.5M
total financial aid distributed
$18M
awarded since 1999
We cannot express just how grateful we are...
"I don’t mean to be overly dramatic, but Josh and I feel very strongly that our daughter’s time spent at Skyland Trail literally saved her life...
We just cannot express just how grateful we are for the financial assistance provided to us. We were devastated when we realized that our insurance did not cover residential treatment. While that news did not deter us from our path to get our daughter the help she needed, we were looking into liquidating part of our retirement to make it possible...
While the out-of-pocket expenses without insurance were still difficult, it became more manageable thanks to the generous financial assistance our family received. We are so appreciative of Skyland Trail and its staff for the work they did with our daughter and our family, and would recommend the program without hesitation to anyone who has a child battling overwhelming anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Thank you simply doesn’t quite seem adequate!"
Cameron
Parent of a Skyland Trail adolescent program graduate and financial aid recipient
Alumni Families From Near and Far Support Endowed Scholarship
In spring 2020, a group of 10 alumni families joined together with the goal of raising $100,000 to establish a financial aid endowment. Collectively, the 10 families contributed $50,000 and challenged other alumni families to match their gifts. In fall 2020, the Skyland Trail Board of Directors voted to contribute $25,000 to the scholarship fund. By the end of 2020, thanks to the generous contributions of 65 families, $150,000 was raised —50 percent more than the original goal of $100,000 — and the Alumni Family Endowed Scholarship was established.
The endowment will exist in perpetuity and will provide critical financial assistance to eligible patients, helping to ensure that future generations have access to quality mental health services. Donations in any amount are welcome throughout the year from Grateful Families.
Thank you to all who helped establish this important fund. Below, several alumni family members from across the country share why they chose to contribute and invest in the futures of other clients and families.
“I hope that this scholarship will provide families with some measure of relief from the burden of the cost of treatment. I remember the many emotions that I felt when I first started looking into mental health treatment options for my son. It can be overwhelming, and I hope that families receiving financial aid from this fund will take heart in the knowledge that there is an entire community of alumni families, who have been where they are and who have come out on the other side with hope and the belief that recovery is possible. Today, my son is thriving and looking at graduate schools. We both credit Skyland Trail with helping provide him with the tools and skills that enabled him to pursue his goals for the future. ”
Lynda, alumni parent
California
“We decided to support the new scholarship at Skyland Trail because we wanted clients to know that all they have to worry about right now is getting better – that they have the time and permission to focus on caring for themselves. We will always be grateful for the care and support Skyland Trail has provided to our family, and we hope others are able to find the same outcomes with the help of the scholarship.“
Leigh Scott, alumni parent
Madison Scott, alumna
Georgia
“Thank you Skyland Trail and all who work and volunteer to support these wonderful people who so desperately need help. We credit you with saving our son’s life – perhaps not his physical life, but definitely his life – the one that most of us take for granted each day – waking up and enjoying a day, being able to meet challenges without being completely derailed, simply being able to sleep and to get up each day.
We are contributing to the Alumni Family Endowed Scholarship in the hope that many alumni families will also contribute generously so that there are several scholarships available.
We were so blessed that our insurance paid for most of our son’s stay, and with your wonderful help he was able to turn around quickly. No one should be limited because they are not similarly blessed. “
Ginny and Mark, alumni parents
Connecticut
Giving Highlights
ASSOCIATES FUND GREENHOUSE RENOVATIONS
Horticultural therapy is an important part of Skyland Trail's holistic treatment program. Led by Libba Shortridge, MA, HTR, clients learn how to use nature as a tool for recovery. The greenhouse on the Charles B. West Campus recently received a few upgrades thanks to charitable donations from the Skyland Associates, a women's auxiliary group. Improvements were made to the floor and roof, and new tables and stools were installed.
SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND TREATS FOR OUR TEAM
Thank you to the many board members, families, and donors who supported our staff and clients with words of encouragement and special treats. Your support reminded all of us that we are part of a special community.
Virtual Benefits of Laughter Raises More Than $1 Million for Mental Health Treatment
In October, Skyland Trail hosted the first virtual Benefits of Laughter, which raised more than $1 million. While thanking supporters during the event, event chair Jenny Pruitt said, “Despite the circumstances this year, I am thrilled that we can still be together tonight sharing our passion for Skyland Trail. Your continued support gives Skyland Trail the necessary resources to help families in need now and in the future.”
$3.03M
Total giving in 2020
>500
Households tuned into virtual fundraising events in 2020
174
Number of new donors
in 2020
175
Grateful families made a charitable gift, a 27% increase over 2019
2020 Financial Highlights
Revenue
LEAP and Vocational Services were not offered as outpatient or add-on programs in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expenses
2020 in Words and Photos
Thank You To Our 2020 Event Sponsors
Thank you for being part of our healing community!
Learn more about how to support our work.