Art for Mental Health Brings Creativity, Connection and Community Together
On September 17, friends and supporters of Heartland Mental Health gathered on the rooftop of Carla Madison Recreation Center for Art for Mental Health, an evening filled with creativity, connection, good food, and a shared commitment to mental health and community. And thanks to everyone who joined us, sponsored the event, donated, and helped bring the evening to life, Art for Mental Health raised $25,542 to support Heartland’s mission and programs for adults in Denver!
But the evening was about more than fundraising. It was an opportunity to spend time together, get creative, celebrate some of the people and organizations making a difference in our community, and share more about the work happening every day at Heartland.
Starting the Evening with a Little Creativity
The evening began with our Create & Connect Experience, led by local artist and social worker Haley Abrams, LCSW.
With a background in both fine arts and mental health, Haley believes that art is for everyone and uses creativity as a way to encourage connection and emotional well-being.
Using Haley’s hand-cut stencils and metallic paints, guests created colorful greeting cards to give to someone in their lives. No artistic experience was required. It was simply an opportunity to play with color and pattern, try something new, and connect with the people around the table.
Thank you, Haley, for sharing your creativity with us and creating such a welcoming experience to start the evening!
Dinner, Conversation, and Connection
As the main event began, guests gathered for drinks, conversation, and an Ethiopian dinner catered by Konjo Ethiopian Food. The evening included updates from Heartland, reflections on the impact of our programs, and an opportunity to celebrate the people and partnerships that help make our work possible.
Throughout the evening, guests were also invited to take part in another creative project that required quite a few hands.
Our collaborative mosaic was divided into 80 individual squares, and guests added drawings, doodles, words of encouragement, and messages about mental health to their pieces. As the squares came back together, they began to reveal one larger image.
A few final squares are being completed by members of the Heartland community, and we look forward to sharing the finished piece soon.
The project was a fitting reflection of the evening itself: each person brought something different, and those individual contributions became something bigger when brought together.
Welcoming New Members of the Friends of Heartland Honorary Council
One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was welcoming Ren McIntire-Baugher and Denver Family Institute as the newest members of the Friends of Heartland Honorary Council.
The Honorary Council recognizes community leaders and supporters whose commitment helps Heartland expand access to mental health services and strengthen connection in our community.
Ren McIntire-Baugher
Ren’s relationship with Heartland began in 2024 as a service-learning student. She went on to volunteer, complete an advanced internship in clinical and counseling work, and serve as Secretary of Heartland’s Board of Directors.
During her time at Heartland, Ren facilitated groups focused on psychological flexibility, mindfulness, values-based action, and social connection while using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches. She continues to volunteer with Heartland and serve on the Events Committee.
Ren graduated magna cum laude from MSU Denver in 2026 with degrees in Clinical and Counseling Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. She is beginning work with Soar Autism Center and preparing to apply to graduate programs in clinical and developmental psychology.
We are grateful for the many ways Ren has shared her time, talents, and commitment with the Heartland community.
Denver Family Institute
We were also proud to welcome Denver Family Institute (DFI) to the Honorary Council.
Founded in 1982, DFI works to strengthen relationships in our community through marriage and family therapy training and services. Its work addresses access to mental health care from two directions: providing affordable, community-based services and preparing the next generation of mental health providers.
Through its community mental health clinic, DFI provides low-fee and sliding-scale care, including Medicaid services, while its accredited postgraduate Marriage and Family Therapy Training Program and advanced clinical programs prepare relational, equity-centered therapists.
We’re honored to recognize DFI for its commitment to accessible mental health care and a stronger, healthier community.
$25,542 Raised for Heartland
Thanks to the generosity of our guests, donors, and sponsors, Art for Mental Health raised $25,542 to support Heartland’s work.
We are especially grateful to Betty Bona and Philip Pearlman, who generously offered to match donations made in connection with the event dollar for dollar, up to $7,500.
Funds raised through Art for Mental Health help Heartland continue providing accessible therapy, peer support, and community programs that help adults find connection, support, and a place to belong.
If you weren’t able to join us but would still like to support Heartland, we’d be grateful to have you be part of this work.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are incredibly grateful to the sponsors and community partners whose generosity helped bring Art for Mental Health to life.
A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Colorado Access, for their continued support of Heartland and our work in the community.
Presenting Sponsor
Empowerment Sponsors
Community Sponsors
Connection Sponsors
Anonymous
David & Hannah Caplan
Randi Smith
Danelle Bowles
Friends of Heartland
Diana Roca & José Lara
Holon Health
Neisen Borth Insurance
Your generosity helped bring people together for an evening centered on creativity, connection, and mental health. The impact of your support extends well beyond the event itself.
It Takes a Community
And a big thank you to our board members, volunteers, and Events Committee members who helped bring the evening together. From planning and preparation to welcoming guests and pitching in throughout the event, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Thank You for Being Part of It
To everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, volunteered, created art, shared a meal, or helped behind the scenes: thank you.
At Heartland, we believe everyone deserves opportunities for connection, support, and belonging. Art for Mental Health was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when people come together around that belief.
We’re grateful to have you as part of the Heartland community, and we look forward to creating more moments of connection together.