A Note From Jenn: A Friendsgiving Thank You

by Jennifer Winton, Founder and Executive Director of U!Shine

Be on the lookout for pictures from Friendsgiving posted on our Facebook site! ​

We are so thankful for the generosity and support that you have shown over the past several weeks. As we continue to receive gifts towards our year end fundraising goal of $100,000, we have raised almost $78,0000 to help further our mission to bring awareness, education and hope to university campuses!

The Friendsgiving event was a night full of great food, friends (old and new), and beautiful stories of hope, healing and redemption through art.


Thank you so much to the Oklahoma Christian Academy students, Oklahoma Christian University students and alumni, and the children at Integris Mental Health Spencer for contributing such lovely works of art.  


And thank you to everyone who provided desserts for the dessert auction. We even had a sweet battle over a huge cinnamon roll that sold for $200!

We also enjoyed the musical talent of OC students, Jesse Garner (OC Freshman), and JD Martin (OC Sophomore)-- thanks for entertaining us, you guys!

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Because of your generosity and support we will continue striving to improve the state of mental health on university campuses and work to open up the conversation surrounding mental health.

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The money raised over the past few months will go to support projects such as:

• Expanding our UShine programs to reach more students on more campuses
• Validating the effectiveness of our Health Brain, Healthy Mind program
• UBlewIt!: a story-telling night to share struggles and embrace failure
• Fostering relationships with students
• Breaking ground on a UShine Bible study project focusing on who we are in Christ.

Because of your generosity and support we will continue striving to improve the state of mental health on university campuses and work to open up the conversation surrounding mental health.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. Have a blessed holiday season!

-- Jenn Winton and The U!Shine Team

Author

As someone who has dealt with anxiety and depression throughout her life, Jennifer personally knows the darkness that can come from mental illness. On the bright side, she also knows the hope and healing that can come through a holistic approach to mental health.  She loves sharing her story of hope with others and is passionate about teaching university students and young adults their potential for becoming more mentally resilient. She also loves helping break the unfortunate stigmas that often come with mental illness, by sharing stories of the many beautiful, creative, and successful people who live full and amazing lives despite a diagnosis of mental illness.