August 22, 2008 - Erase the Stigma Conference
2nd annual Erase the Stigma Conference at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. For more information or to register for the conference please email: ksf@karlasmithfoundation.org
US Accenture Volunteer Service Award Recipients 2007 * Kevin received the St. Louis award and a $1,000 donation for
his work with KSF * Received August 2007
Southern Illinois Association of Priests ICTHUS Award * Annual Ministry Award * To be received October 21st
National Association of Catholic Family Administrators
(Region 7) * Ministers of the Year, Tom and Fran Smith on behalf of KSF
* Received April 2007 in Rockford, IL
LOSS (Loving Outreach Suicide Survivors) * Annual Rev. Charles E. Rubey Award for suicide prevention and
survivor support * To be received April 2008 in Chicago, IL
What People Are Saying about KSF
1/19/08 - "The support group helped me understand that I was not alone in dealing with a loved one with mental health problems; MANY other people face similar (if not worse) challenges. Sharing experiences gave me confirmation that I did not have to be isolated in this confusing world of mental illness. The collective "head nod" when someone would explain how a loved one reacted to a situation or something they said/did was very comforting."
8/12/07 - “Thank you for this website, for all your efforts on behalf of the mentally ill. Today I am 64, retired from 21 years of teaching English (creative writing included) at Tulsa Community College (even at the peak of my illness), and have returned to school and become a Spiritual Director in my retirement. My first client was a young woman with bipolar disorder. Ironically, having a spiritual director weekly for three months was her turning point. She was so much like Karla that reading your writing and Karla's writing gave me chills. If I did nothing else in my lifetime, my three months with her were a grace for both of us. I jumped inside her illness with her and was able to speak her language because of my own suffering. Just that connection became her lifeline. All this is to say that sharing your feelings, your history with Karla, indeed can be a saving grace for others.”
7/2/07 - “Talk about positive mental health...you all are great and surround yourselves with such positive people.While what you do daily cannot be measured in dollars, I know the good God above is planting rose after rose in people's hearts and heaven is expanding with roses as we speak.”
12/19/05 - “Congratulations on a wonderful article in the Belleville paper! I hope it influences many people who would find your organization to be a blessing, as I have. You have planted a powerful seed -- I know it will continue to grow.”
