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Naples, Fl – David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider serving children, adults and families, has received several significant philanthropic gifts to close its successful 2023 fiscal year (which ended June 30, 2023) and launch into the new year.

As the organization looks toward providing more needed treatment in the near future, after experiencing several years of explosive growth, DLC is relying more than ever on community support for both its general operations and specific programs and services.

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation (RMSFF) has awarded a $250,000 grant to DLC in support of its Youth Suicide Prevention Program, its translation and interpretation services, to fund a vital case management transportation vehicle and to further support key staff at its Immokalee location.

“It is an honor to continue our partnership with RMSFF,” said DLC CEO Scott Burgess. “This most recent gift represents seven consecutive years of deeply appreciated support from RMSFF, and we are blessed by their investment in DLC’s programs and in the lives of those we serve.”

According to DLC Vice President of Advancement Kimberly Dye, each year, DLC faces a gap in funding needed for operations, including hiring, retention and staff resources. This gap is the difference between the cost of treating the skyrocketing number of Collier County residents in need of behavioral health services and insufficient funds from the government and insurance companies. Recognizing this staggering need, community leaders Michael and Shirley Benson have gifted $100,000 to DLC to launch its new fiscal year.

“Our family has seen first-hand the life-saving and life-changing graces of David Lawrence Centers,” said Benson, Managing Partner of Benson Blackburn. “The county’s emergent population growth, combined with the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, requires DLC to serve an ever-growing number of people with the world-class care they deserve—care that is simply not funded currently. That’s why Shirley and I knew we had to take the lead with our support for DLC’s upcoming year.”

Benson added that their gift will hopefully inspire others to support DLC at this critical juncture of the organization’s history.

Joining the Bensons, Richard “Dick” Levi, owner of the Ft. Myers based Diversified Yacht Services and President of Levi, Ray & Shoup of Central Illinois, gifted $25,000 to support DLC’s annual operations.

As one of DLC’s six Centers of Excellence, the Emergency Services Center has faced a 12% year-over-year increase in the average number of clients served daily. To help offset staffing costs in both the adult and children’s crisis stabilization units, the Clark Family Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to DLC. The Naples Foundation supports organizations dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of children.

“We are beyond grateful for all of these loyal supporters, specifically for their ardent belief in the mission of DLC,” said Dye. “As we talk about filling the gap in our operations funding—while simultaneously looking toward our need to raise funds to support the new Collier County Behavioral Health Center and future campus renovation within the next couple of years—we warmly welcome those who desire to help us provide solutions for our community’s mental health and substance use crisis. All these gifts will go a long way toward filling that looming gap.”

Burgess noted that during its 2023 fiscal year, DLC provided nearly 30,000 more services to children and adults than the previous year. “This illustrates the pressing need in our community for mental health and substance use services and support. We are incredibly thankful to all our generous funding supporters and partners for investing in DLC’s vital mission, and helping ensure that we can continue to meet the high demand for services in our community.”

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions, available for children, adolescents and adults. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, DLC serves 9,000 people through over 341,000 treatment sessions. To join forces with these inspiring donors, please reach out to the DLC Advancement Team at donorcare@dlcenters.org or by calling 239-354-1451.