SpeakUp 5K Tampa January 22,2022
Representing Love IV Lawrence were Carlos and Charlie Dinkins, Board Member Ian Lieberman, and Marques Moore
Mental Health First Aid class
This is a graduation photo of the first Mental Health First Aid class conducted entirely in Spanish!
19 new First Aiders were certified in Tampa on May 14, 2021, by Instructors Gloria Kochalka, Jimmy Taylor, and Maritza Novoa-Hadley.
Art of Healing show presented by the Ruth and J O Stone Foundation
Thank you for watching The Art of Healing virtual event. While we missed gathering with our friends and family, it was great to be able to learn virtually about 5 art therapy programs making a difference in the lives of Tampa Bay residents, and hear from Cory Richards about his journey toward mental wellness. In case you missed it, click the link below to watch the program in its entirety, including the audience choice winner of the 2020 Waves of Change $10,000 grant from Love IV Lawrence.
$5,000 Winners
Wilmot Gardens at the College of Medicine, University of Florida
C.R.E.A.T.E. Program at Metropolitan Ministries
The Red Tent Women’s Initiative: Sewing Hope
Directions for Living: Theraputic Storytelling
Waves of Change $10,000 Winner
USF Contemporary Art Museum: Breaking Barriers
Mallory Dimmitt, Love IV Lawrence Board Member and Tim Mariani representing the Ruth and J O Stone Foundation
presented the check at the end of the evening.
watch event here
Reeling in Stigma | November 11, 2020
SOARING INTO STENGTH | OCTOBER 22 , 2020
Southeastern Guide Dogs Breakfast | February 13, 2020
Love IV Lawrence board members Adam Cohen, Ian Lieberman, Vevie and Lawrence Dimmitt present a grant to CEO Titus Herman, VP for Philanthropy Andy Kramer, and guide dog owner Morgan Watt, Senior Airman, US Airforce, RET. (With pups Astro and Foley)
Reeling in Stigma | October 12, 2019
Nearly 400 guests gathered on a Saturday evening for conversation, education, and to participate in awarding grants to 5 bay area nonprofits each with a program that aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Rogers Behavioral Health, Speak Up 5K, The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, and, Warrior 2 Warrior each received $5,000 and To Write Love On Her Arms was selected to receive the $10,000 grand prize.
Mountainfilm On Tour presented a variety of short films curated from their annual film festival in Telluride, Colorado. One featured film, Akuna, documented Will “Akuna” Robinson’s journey to healing through hiking after experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following his service in the U.S. Army during the Iraq War. Mr. Robinson discussed his experiences hiking the Appalachian, Pacific Coast, and Continental Divide Trails.
Will “Akuna” Robinson via Mountainfilm
thank you to our sponsOrs
Directions University | July 12, 2019
Love IV Lawrence co-sponsored Directions for Living's annual "Directions University" on July 12, 2019. As part of the day-long program of events, board members Vevie Dimmitt and Marty Borell conducted a breakout session titled: From Grief to Healing: A Formidable Journey. Both Vevie and Marty shared their personal stories of losing a child who suffered with mental health. They discussed their children’s struggles, how they dealt with them as parents, and how their deaths impacted them, their families, friends, and the community. And, for the first time in a public setting, they also shared their personal journeys toward healing – and their commitment to engage in the field of mental health to help reduce stigma and support mental health professionals in their critically important work. Vevie and Marty ended their sessions by opening the dialogue to the audience for questions and conversation. When a client dies, their case is closed and therefore the counselor has no opportunity for follow up involvement. This workshop gave much needed insight into the community left behind. One attendee said afterwards, "This was the best professional development workshop I have ever attended."
Vevie Dimmitt and Marty Borell
Launch Party | May 11, 2019
Friends, family, and board members were welcomed to Dimmitt Chevrolet for the official launch of the Love IV Lawrnce Foundation. It was an evening of shared conversation, memories, love, grief, and, vision for what could be accomplished by working together to change these saddening statistics:
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-24 years.
Every day, approximately 20 US veterans, die by suicide.
Suicide takes the lives of over 30,000 Americans every year.
Disability from serious mental illness costs $193.2 annually.
Depression is the leading disability worldwide.
8.4 million Americans are caring for a loved one with a diagnosed mental illness.
The average delay from onset of a mental health challenge to treatment is 10 years.
(Source: Center for Disease Control)