When she first connected with Here Tomorrow last May, KT’s world felt heavy. She had been hospitalized at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville after experiencing a mental health crisis, and wasn’t sure what the next step would be.
On her second day there, a Here Tomorrow team member visited her. “He pulled me into a room and asked how I was doing. I said I was fine, and he called me out. He said, ‘You don’t have to be so professional with me. I’m here just to talk.’” That moment of honesty made KT feel seen in a way she hadn’t in a long time.
Finding the Right Support at the Right Time
Before leaving the hospital, she agreed to try Here Tomorrow’s program. She was introduced to Melissa M., her suicide prevention specialist, who would walk alongside her from Day 1 to Day 365. “She was someone I could say anything to. She had so much knowledge, and if I mentioned one little thing, she had a resource,” KT said.
They set goals together, starting with rebuilding her social circle after losing touch with friends. Melissa helped her brainstorm ways to connect with people in a way that supported her as an introvert. They talked through coping skills, worked on reading exercises when she felt overwhelmed, and developed a plan for her to join workout classes as a way to feel healthier and meet new people.
KT came to Here Tomorrow after learning that she has bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. Dually diagnosed, she found comfort in her specialist, who has bipolar disorder and ADHD, herself. “Melissa helped me learn how to live with it. She didn’t judge. She just listened and supported me.”
Growing Stronger, One Step at a Time
Over the next year, KT began to see changes in her life. She was promoted at Starbucks, reconnected with old friends, and started to believe that hope was possible. “Melissa shared small things about her own struggles, and now she’s doing so well that she’s helping other people. That gives me hope that maybe someday I can do that too.”
In moments of overwhelm, Melissa was there to guide her through coping skills and grounding exercises. In moments of progress, she was there to celebrate. “I definitely know now that there are people who care, even when I feel like they don’t.”
Nominating Here Tomorrow for a Neighborhood Grant from The Starbucks Foundation
By the time KT reached her one-year milestone with Here Tomorrow, she wanted to give back. Through her job at Starbucks, she learned about The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grant program, which allows employees to nominate a local nonprofit organization for funding.
“The first thing I thought of was Here Tomorrow. I’ve been using their resources for almost a year, and I knew the money could help,” she said. During a meeting with other store managers in her district, she shared her story and encouraged them to vote for the organization.
Her nomination was among fewer than six percent selected for funding, resulting in a $1,000 grant for Here Tomorrow.
A Grant with Nationwide Impact
The grant is part of The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, a partner-led initiative that has awarded more than 16,000 grants totaling over $25 million since 2019. In 2025, Here Tomorrow was one of just 3,200 organizations selected from more than 56,000 nominations across the U.S. and Canada.
“When I got the email that they got [the grant], I was super happy. I printed it out and put it up in my store. It just felt really good,” KT said. She also shared Here Tomorrow’s resources with her coworkers, knowing firsthand the difference they can make.
Inspiring Others to Reach Out
KT’s story has already made an impact beyond the grant. She has encouraged others to reach out for help and continues to speak about her experience to let people know they are not alone.
If someone asked her what Here Tomorrow is, she would describe it as “a suicide prevention nonprofit with plenty of resources for anyone who needs help with mental health.” But to her, it is more than that. It is the first place where she felt truly heard, the place that helped her start over, and the reason she is looking ahead with hope.
Support Here Tomorrow’s Mission
Thanks to KT’s voice and determination, Here Tomorrow has another resource to keep offering safety planning, goal-setting, and personalized suicide prevention support to others on their own recovery journeys. To learn more about Here Tomorrow or support our work, visit HereTomorrow.org.
The Starbucks Foundation
The Starbucks Foundation strengthens humanity by transforming lives across the world, with a focus on enabling community resiliency and prosperity and uplifting communities affected by disaster. Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law. Learn more at About Starbucks.