Atrium Health Receives $2.08 Million Grant from The Leon Levine Foundation

Atrium Health Receives $2.08 Million Grant from The Leon Levine Foundation to Expand School-Based Therapy to Rural NC Counties

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 28, 2025 – Children living in rural areas of North Carolina will now have greater access to mental health care through a $2.08 million grant from The Leon Levine Foundation to expand Atrium Health’s School-Based Therapy Program to serve K-12 students in five rural counties.

With support from The Leon Levine Foundation, the program will address unique barriers to mental health care experienced by residents in rural communities, including students in Title I schools who come from lower income families. This critical development within the program reflects Atrium Health’s deep commitment to all patients and families in our service area.

Compared to urban areas, rural communities have fewer options for both primary and mental health care services, a challenge compounded by negative stigmas associated with mental illness and a lack of behavioral health support resources. Atrium Health’s School-Based Therapy Program aims to fill these critical gaps in mental health care and community education.

“Through Atrium Health’s School-Based Therapy Program, I have seen firsthand the impact of providing high quality care in schools for the students and the communities we serve,” shared Donnie Mitchem, director of outpatient therapy for Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte. “We are so grateful for organizations like The Leon Levine Foundation for recognizing the need and helping us help others.”

Currently providing care in two states, 11 counties, and more than 206 schools, Atrium Health’s School-Based Therapy Program works with local school systems and is powered by 33+ licensed therapists who offer more than 8,500 in-person and 12,000 virtual therapy sessions each year.

As North Carolina continues to rank above the national average for prevalence of mental health illness, support from The Leon Levine Foundation will help Atrium Health meet a critical need for behavioral health services in Charlotte and surrounding communities.

“Children deserve access to world-class behavioral and mental health care services, regardless of where they live or the resources of their family,” said Tom Lawrence, President and CEO of The Leon Levine Foundation. “We are not only supporting a program that improves access to care – we are investing in the health of our rural neighbors.”

Through The Leon Levine Foundation’s generous commitment, students will have essential access to virtual and in-person therapy and educational sessions that prioritize early medical intervention and treatment, provide a supportive environment to boost students’ coping skills, and ultimately support students’ academic success.

Contact:

Kirstin Ashford

(704) 907-3778

kirstin.ashford@advocatehealth.org

About Atrium Health Foundation

Founded in 1959, Atrium Health Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in Charlotte. As the point of contact for all contributions benefiting Atrium Health in the Charlotte region, the Foundation inspires transformational giving to improve health, elevate hope, and advance healing – for ALL. Through its current Giving Hope Campaign, Atrium Health Foundation is supporting Atrium Health’s efforts to create the learning health system of the future by building healthy communities, outstanding education programs, preeminent research, and exemplary facilities.

About Atrium Health

Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is the health system’s academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. It is ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation. With a commitment to redefine care for every community it serves, Atrium Health provides nearly $3 billion in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.

 

About The Leon Levine Foundation

Established in 1980 by Leon Levine (Founder and Former Chairman of Family Dollar Stores, Inc.), The Leon Levine Foundation pursues its mission of “Empowering underserved Carolinians to be self-sufficient and strengthening our Jewish community” by supporting programs and organizations that align with its four core mission areas: education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish values. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the Foundation invests in nonprofits across North Carolina and South Carolina with strong leadership, a track record of success, and a plan for financial sustainability. Learn more online at www.leonlevinefoundation.org or follow TLLF on Facebook @LeonLevineFdn and LinkedIn at theleonlevinefoundation.

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