Our story begins with Hope
Bring Hope Now was created by people in our community who believed young people and families deserve more support, more connection, and more hope. What began as a local effort to strengthen suicide-prevention support in schools has grown into a long-term commitment to saving lives across Okaloosa County and Walton County.
Where we started
In 2019, local leaders came together in response to an urgent need: too many young people in Northwest Florida were struggling without enough accessible support. With community partners, they began building a stronger network of prevention, connection, and hope for students and families.
The early work focused on bringing peer-to-peer suicide-prevention support to local schools. Community donors and partners helped make that support available across Okaloosa County and, over time, expanded it to neighboring communities. The goal was simple: help young people recognize when a friend may be struggling and connect them with a trusted adult.
How we grew
As the work expanded, Bring Hope Now became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023. That transition created a dedicated local organization with a clear purpose: strengthen youth mental-health support, grow community partnerships, and build a sustainable future for this lifesaving work.
Where we are going
Today, Bring Hope Now is focused on two connected goals. First, we continue to support C.A.R.E. Crews in Okaloosa County schools—helping young people build connection, kindness, resilience, and the confidence to reach out early when a friend may be struggling.
Second, we are working to open a local Youth Mental Health Care Center: a place for local youth care, crisis respite and stabilization. We envision establishing a location in this area that is a supportive place where young people who need more immediate help can pause, feel heard, understand what may be driving strong emotions, and build practical tools to recognize when emotions are becoming overwhelming. The goal is to provide a safe environment to support youth and families to respond to big emotions in healthier ways, and, if needed, connect with the appropriate level of care.
Together, these efforts create a stronger circle of support—from prevention and early connection to compassionate help when young people and families need it most.
Help us bring hope closer to home
Your support helps strengthen school-based prevention, expand local mental-health resources, and build a safer, more hopeful future for young people and families in our community.
