Marking 36 years of consecutive giving with Advocate Health Care, Jamerson and Bauwens Electrical (JBE) is pledging an extra special gift of $30K over the next three years to enhance Advocate Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Behavioral Health Services.
“Really meaningful and genuine good work is being done within the Advocate organization, and we’re so incredibly grateful to be part of Advocate’s growth and expansion of their programs,” said Kenneth Bauwens, Chief Executive Officer at JBE.”
JBE’s Vice President of Operations Bill Heneghan feels his company has continued to rally resources to help Advocate because of its purpose-driven care of the community – helping all people live well.
“Every one of us at JBE might have a story to tell about an extraordinary care experience,” Heneghan said. “Advocate just feels like home – living and breathing their mission to help all people live well. Most of our employees have an Advocate site right in their neighborhood. Some have family and friends who work for Advocate, and we all know someone who has received their care. Once you experience the love shown at Advocate, you want to find out what you can do to continue to give and help.”
With a lifetime gift of over $320,000, JBE has invigorated a host of Advocate care areas such as women’s health, robotic surgery, cancer care and more. And now the company wants their three-year, $30K commitment to Advocate Children’s Hospital to help the increased need for behavioral health services – ensuring children have the support when and where they need it.
Advocate Children’s is investing in the prevention and treatment of mental and behavioral health conditions across the continuum of care. Bauwens and Heneghan believe their assistance will help enhance access to resources and lower the stigma around mental health.
“Many families, both at home and at work, are touched with some sort of behavioral health issue,” Bauwens explained. “We recognize a gap in this kind of care that we want to help fill. Being able to support resources to help balance the minds of children, is truly heartfelt, especially since this is a taboo topic that many are fearful to talk about.”
“I have young members of my family who struggle with mental health issues – this topic hits close to home,” Heneghan said. “I would love to see other children not go through what my family has gone through, and what many families go through.”
JBE would like their contribution to be just the start of philanthropic support for pediatric behavioral health services from the community.
“We hope our gift is only a pebble in the ocean of all donations Advocate receives toward this profound cause,” Bauwens said. “It's a small token to support behavioral health needs in our neighborhoods. We hope that through magnetic attraction additional community stakeholders will also give, enabling Advocate Children's to do even more.”
To learn more about Advocate Children's Hospital's pediatric behavioral health program and how you can make an impact, contact Jackie Pufundt at jacqueline.pufundt@aah.org.