Workshops and one-on-one sessions with teens to support mental health provided by Easterseals Michigan will be expanding this year with a $34,000 donation from a group of local students.
Key2Finesse, a student-led group of teenagers from multiple districts founded in 2015 by Esha Ghosalkar and Chintan Maheswari, chooses one cause each year to support. The students raise money from friends, family members and local businesses over eight months, culminating in a speech competition. Registration fees for the competition are also added to the donation pool.
Students from different school districts across Oakland County, part of a nonprofit group founded by students called Key2Finesse, raised more than $30,000 this year to support mental health in teens.
Ghosalkar and Maheswari are in college now, but the mantle of the organization has been taken up by six younger students said Vidhi Ghosalkar, Esha Ghosalkar’s mother. She said in her years coaching the group, she’s watched students learn to be more grateful for what they have in life by helping others.
“They learn that life is not just about them and their goals. All of these kids come from good school districts, they learn to count their blessings and realize how much they do have that they don’t value,” she said. “If we can send them out like this before they head to college, they’ll always keep working for the community.”
Key2Finesse includes students from the Troy, Northville, Novi and Farmington school districts.
In 2017, Key2Finesse students raised $37,500 to feed 375 children through Blessings in a Backpack, every weekend for the entire school year.
Students from different school districts across Oakland County, part of a nonprofit group founded by students called Key2Finesse, raised more than $30,000 this year to support mental health in teens.
Easterseals was chosen this year after a member of the group found out about their teen mental health mission. The agency operates the program in four districts currently: Pontiac, Waterford, Clarkston, Holly and Grand Blanc. Teen workshops are held to help manage anxiety, depression, stress and suicidal thoughts. One-on-one support is also given, according to Stephanie Saville, director of development.
“These students are from schools all over the county, coming together for one common cause and doing this in their extracurriculare time. It’s a big amount they’ve raised, it’s not something small that was done in a classroom,” Saville said. “It’s really amazing.”
Easterseals is already in talks with other districts to start up the teen mental health programs there. Districts are chosen based on need of the student population, statistical analysis of that need and interest from parents.
Key2Finesse will present the check to Easterseals on Friday, Jan. 25 at Easterseals Michigan in Southfield.
