The Community Leaders of Color Mental Health Project Has (Thankfully) Returned

Presented by Future Front in partnership with Colors of Austin Counseling, The Community Leaders of Color Mental Health Project is an ongoing resource for Black, Indigenous and non-white leaders of color pursuing racial justice in creative, community, business and work settings.

Since 2020, we have provided 175+ pro bono therapy sessions in Austin, Texas to 40 community leaders. We are incredibly lucky—and grateful—to bring this resource back with 30 sessions available for six leaders for 2022.

Keep reading for more details on how to request support or make a donation to this project.

WHY DOES THIS PROGRAM EXIST?

☺ We know that BIPOC founders and leaders show up for our communities in times of crisis—often while managing their own trauma and sense of safety.

✰ We also know that BIPOC folks step up to represent their communities in big ways—and that act of collective care can be overwhelming.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Through this fund, we seasonally grant women and LGBTQ+ community leaders of color up to five sessions each of culturally appropriate crisis therapy with a therapist at Colors of Austin Counseling. We primarily help emerging leaders without insurance find the practical and emotional tools they need to navigate discrimination-based crises and conflicts within their work.

Because we envision a world where equitable access to mental health is normalized.

We envision a world where our communities are fiercely cared for—and racial justice work is followed by restoration.

We envision a world where BIPOC leaders in many community settings—from independent small business owners to grassroots nonprofit directors—receive the support they deserve, too.

HOW CAN YOU REQUEST SUPPORT?

No. 1 — Ensure you are eligible to apply.

You must be based in Austin, Texas.
You must identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of color.
You must identify as a woman, trans, gender-non-conforming or LGBTQ+.
You must be leading or a part of a creative project, community project, work project or business that furthers racial justice.

No. 2 — Submit your request with our form.

This resource has been brought forward due to the organizing work of Colors of Austin Counseling’s Director of Equity Sandra Olarte-Hayes (she/her/ella)—a bilingual LCSW, therapist, and circle keeper in Austin, Texas—in collaboration with fellow Black, Indigenous and POC colleagues and therapists from the Colors of Austin Counseling staff. Once you apply for a session, you will be considered for placement with an available therapist in their network. Your request is entirely confidential.

Responses to your request may take five to seven business days.

submit your request