Bard College Mental Health and Wellness Initiative Grant

Recipient Institution: Bard College, Hudson River Valley, New York

Connection to JKBF: Jamie Bernard, JKBF co-founder's son, was a Bard College student (Class of 2010, received posthumous degree). The foundation honors his memory through support for mental health initiatives and scholarship at his alma mater.

Mental Health Programming

• Mental health awareness and advocacy workshops
• Speaker programming on mental health and suicide prevention
• Support for student-led Active Minds chapter on campus
• Peer health and wellness education programs
• Body Fest: Annual interactive event on health, wellness, and body activism
• Crisis intervention and counseling outreach (Let's Talk program)

Creative Expression & Writing

• Writing workshops exploring mental health and personal narrative
• Partnership with TMI Project (The Most Important Project) for storytelling and stigma reduction
• Creative workshops facilitating students sharing personal stories about mental health
• Connection between creative writing and mental health advocacy

Library & Facilities Enhancement

• Expansion of library resources and student collaborative spaces
• Library cafe upgrades with comfortable seating, coffee tables, and creative tools (typewriter)
• Student group work spaces with wireless AV capabilities
• Purchase of electronic text collections (Digital Loeb Classical Library)
• Take-a-Break kits and wellness activities (therapy dog visits, community coloring)

Scholarships

• Bard College Class of 2010 Scholarship Fund: Provides scholarships to rising seniors unable to complete education due to financial hardship
• Fund honors memory of three Class of 2010 members who died before graduation
• Initial JKBF grant: $42,000 matched dollar-for-dollar with class fundraising efforts

Speaker Programming

• Guest speakers on mental health, suicide prevention, and personal recovery
• Past speakers: Andrew Solomon (Noonday Demon), Kay Redfield Jamison (clinical psychologist)
• Active Minds speakers bureau engagement (e.g., Stacy Pershall, Kai Roberts)

Historical Grants

• 2010: $42,000 to Class of 2010 Scholarship Fund (JKBF's first grant)
• 2011: $15,000 for Let's Talk program, Active Minds chapter support, peer counselors, and cemetery maintenance
• 2018: $22,995 combined ($12,995 facilities + $10,000 health/wellness)
• 2020: Funding for TMI Project writing workshop and virtual support groups

JKBF Appreciation

JKBF values Bard's commitment to mental health and wellness, particularly its integration with creative expression and peer support—reflecting Jamie's interests as an avid reader and creative writing major.

Institution: Bard College, bard.edu | James Kirk Bernard Foundation, jameskirkbernardfoundation.org