"In my work, I kept seeing people feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, and alone even in a crowd. What would it look like to create spaces for connection before a breaking point?" - Carolyn Collins, Founder and Mental Health Therapist
Meet Our Founder Carolyn Collins is a mental health therapist and health coach whose work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that each person holds the innate ability to understand their own healing needs.
Through her clinical practice, Carolyn witnessed the quiet crisis of disconnection playing out across generations and communities, and people feeling overwhelmed and alone, even in a crowd. With loneliness now recognized as a public health epidemic, she knew that community-based connection wasn't just meaningful. It was necessary.
That belief led her to found the Be Healthy Within Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing mental health awareness, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection. The Foundation creates spaces for connection through community events, strategic partnerships, and grants that fund initiatives, making every gathering count for lasting impact.
Through her clinical practice, Carolyn witnessed the quiet crisis of disconnection playing out across generations and communities, and people feeling overwhelmed and alone, even in a crowd. With loneliness now recognized as a public health epidemic, she knew that community-based connection wasn't just meaningful. It was necessary.
That belief led her to found the Be Healthy Within Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing mental health awareness, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection. The Foundation creates spaces for connection through community events, strategic partnerships, and grants that fund initiatives, making every gathering count for lasting impact.
Our Mission
To bring people together through community events, support programs, and partnerships that advance mental health awareness, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection.
Our Vision
A world where every community fosters connection, supports emotional well-being, and advances mental health awareness to create lasting positive change.
Our Pillars:
To bring people together through community events, support programs, and partnerships that advance mental health awareness, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection.
Our Vision
A world where every community fosters connection, supports emotional well-being, and advances mental health awareness to create lasting positive change.
Our Pillars:
- Connection — Loneliness is a community problem. We create spaces where people belong.
- Creation — Art heals. Movement restores. Mindfulness centers. We bring people together through creativity in all its forms, turning shared expression into shared belonging.
- Collaboration — We partner with nonprofits, volunteers, and donors to multiply our impact.
What We Do
The Be Healthy Within Foundation connects people and creates a ripple effect of well-being through two core strategies:
The Be Healthy Within Foundation connects people and creates a ripple effect of well-being through two core strategies:
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Community Experiences
Our community events are designed to spark connection, support mental health awareness, and foster genuine human interaction. More than events, they are connection in action. Join us for Wellness in the Park on Sunday, August 16th, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Oz Park, Chicago — a free community event dedicated to building connection and well-being. We create opportunities for play, joy, and meaningful human connection, turning the park into a place of belonging. Children's Avenue * Wellness Avenue *Music * Yoga/Movement * Chalk Art |
Strategic Grantmaking
As a grantmaking organization, BHW Foundation funds individuals and nonprofits advancing mental health awareness, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection. All members of the BHW community can nominate organizations for funding, driving collective giving and collective impact. Funding What Matters Mental health * Emotional well-being * Connection |
