Dylan Souza, who grew up in El Dorado County, is raising mental health awareness and supporting students through a fundraiser and scholarships inspired by his late mother. “I was wanting to bridge the gap between the community and the schools,” Souza said. Souza’s efforts began after tragedy struck his family three years ago. “In 2023, I lost my mom unfortunately to mental health illness. It was very acute and fast onset,” Souza said. To honor his mother, Souza started “Walk for Jenna’s Joy,” a fundraiser walk aimed at raising mental health awareness. “After she passed away, I was like that’s a perfect way for her to live on and give joy to other people, just like the joy she gave me throughout my entire childhood,” Souza said. Souza also created a scholarship fund for high school students, motivated by his own challenges in accessing therapy. “After my mom passed away, I went through my personal insurance and I waited eight months for them to reach back out to me for therapy,” Souza said. The scholarship fund includes vouchers to help students explore mental health support. “We also give away a $200 therapy voucher so that students can go try therapy if they have never tried therapy,” Souza said. Souza said his work is driven by a desire to ensure no one feels alone during difficult times. “It just brings me so much joy to see the community coming together to support a good cause,” Souza said. Souza is already planning next year’s “Walk for Jenna’s Joy,” scheduled for April 24, 2027 in Placerville. Students can apply for the scholarships by writing essays about mental health awareness.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. —
Dylan Souza, who grew up in El Dorado County, is raising mental health awareness and supporting students through a fundraiser and scholarships inspired by his late mother.
“I was wanting to bridge the gap between the community and the schools,” Souza said.
Souza’s efforts began after tragedy struck his family three years ago.
“In 2023, I lost my mom unfortunately to mental health illness. It was very acute and fast onset,” Souza said.
To honor his mother, Souza started “Walk for Jenna’s Joy,” a fundraiser walk aimed at raising mental health awareness.
“After she passed away, I was like that’s a perfect way for her to live on and give joy to other people, just like the joy she gave me throughout my entire childhood,” Souza said.
Souza also created a scholarship fund for high school students, motivated by his own challenges in accessing therapy.
“After my mom passed away, I went through my personal insurance and I waited eight months for them to reach back out to me for therapy,” Souza said.
The scholarship fund includes vouchers to help students explore mental health support.
“We also give away a $200 therapy voucher so that students can go try therapy if they have never tried therapy,” Souza said.
Souza said his work is driven by a desire to ensure no one feels alone during difficult times.
“It just brings me so much joy to see the community coming together to support a good cause,” Souza said.
Souza is already planning next year’s “Walk for Jenna’s Joy,” scheduled for April 24, 2027 in Placerville. Students can apply for the scholarships by writing essays about mental health awareness.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel