Spokane, WA. – Angella Southerly had a dream of reaching children who are struggling to cope.
“Children that are dealing with feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety, you just never know where they’re at…how close are they to a moment of danger,” Angella said.
Her dream became her nonprofit: Light A Lamp.
“This was an idea from the heart,” Angella said. “I had no idea in 2014 that Light A Lamp would be where it’s at today now serving 28 schools.”
Those 28 schools, which include Mead, Spokane Valley, Cheney, and now Tekoa and Rearden schools, all receive some of Angella’s ‘mental health kits.’ These are bags filled with goodies like bracelets that say ‘never give up,’ and mugs that say ‘this is a we thing, not a me thing,’ and also with journals that include a custom sticker on the inside listing local support resources like counseling services, or stickers listing the suicide hotline contact.
“This is all prevention from harm,” Angella said. “On average we are looking at about 900 to 1,300 (mental health kits) in one full school year.”
Hundreds of kits that are packed by Light A Lamp volunteers, then delivered to counselors at local elementary, middle, and high schools so those counselors can give the bags full of goodies and health resources to students they feel could benefit.
“It’s so important, I feel moreso today, we have so many mental health issues,” said Shadle Park High School counselor Christy Jackson. “I’ve had so many kids say that (the mental health kits) helps them so much. I have kids that are really excited about the journals because that’s one way they can get their thoughts and feelings out. It’s been a great resource at our school.”
Angella feels the contents of the bag help break down barriers and spark difficult conversations.
“Our goal is being met for these mental health packs to be a tool not only for the counselors when they have a student coming in with high blood pressure to calm them down, but also for parents to be able to talk with their kids as they go through the resources in there and learn to write feelings down in the journals.”
Angella’s mission to support students’ well-being takes a village of support, too. In addition to volunteers helping create and deliver the bags to 28 Spokane-area schools, local businesses help donate items or sponsor the more than 800 bags she makes each year, as her mission continues to grow and reach more children.
“This year Light A Lamp launched our ‘parent family resource packs,’ Angella said. “We’re going further out rural.”
Angella said anyone interested in learning more about her nonprofit’s work or getting involved should come to their 6th Annual ‘Light Up The Night’ silent auction. Their biggest fundraiser will take place Friday, June 19th at Barrister Winery beginning at 5:30 p.m and will include appetizers, live music, and keynote speakers leading to the auction. More information and tickets for the event can be found at lightalamp.org
“Don’t be afraid to accept help and look into resources in our community,” Angella added. “Advice I’d give to parents…is… you’re doing a good job. It’s okay. We live in a different world than when we grew up.”
A world that Angella is trying to change in the best way she knows how: helping children who could use some light to guide them.