NEW YORK, NY (JUNE 5, 2019) – In tribute to the one year anniversary since the passing of the company’s founder and namesake, Kate Spade New York announced today the completion of its 1 million dollar pledge to support mental health organizations.
The Kate Spade New York Foundation is donating $200,000 to The Jed Foundation (JED), an organization that works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for teens and young adults by partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their programs and systems, and by developing educational and awareness campaigns. In addition, the brand will match public donations made to JED starting on June 5th through June 12th, up to the amount of $100,000. Donations during this time can be made through jedfoundation.org/katespade.
“Protecting the emotional health of teens and young adults is vital to helping them grow into healthy adults,” said John MacPhee, Executive Director and CEO at JED. “Kate Spade’s generous support will allow us to expand our programming and impact to help ensure that more young people get access to the resources and support they need to navigate life’s challenges.”
This follows donations to the Crisis Text Line in June 2018, to Fountain House in February 2019 and to Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in May 2019. Fountain House is a community-based non-profit program that works to improve the lives of people living with serious mental illnesses. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services provides free mental health, substance use disorder and suicide prevention services.
“Kate Spade brought so much beauty and joy into the world, and now more than ever, we are committed to carrying on her legacy,“ shared Anna Bakst, Brand President and Chief Executive Officer of Kate Spade New York. “Through our continued support of mental wellness organizations, we hope to encourage more conversation, education and research around mental health to help those suffering.”
In addition, as part of the company’s commitment to wellness programming and education, Kate Spade New York established an ongoing series, Mind, Body, Soul, for employees in corporate and regional offices around the globe. The brand’s objective through this program is to raise awareness about wellness, create a community of support and share available resources to give employees the tools they need to be successful in all areas of their lives.
ABOUT KATE SPADE NEW YORK FOUNDATION:
The Kate Spade New York Foundation inspires women to be the heroines of their own stories. The Foundation gives away $1 million annually to causes that support women’s economic empowerment, access to opportunity and pathways to mental wellbeing to underserved communities of women in NYC, and beyond.
ABOUT KATE SPADE NEW YORK:
Since its launch in 1993 with a collection of six essential handbags, Kate Spade New York has always stood for optimistic femininity. Today, the brand is a global life and style house with handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, gifts, home décor and more. Polished ease, thoughtful details and a modern, sophisticated use of color—Kate Spade New York’s founding
principles define a unique style synonymous with joy. Under the vision of creative director Nicola Glass, the brand continues to celebrate confident women with a youthful spirit. Kate Spade New York is part of the Tapestry house of brands.
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Learn more at jedfoundation.org. Check out our programs including: JED Campus (jedcampus.org), Set to Go, ULifeline (ulifeline.org), Half of Us (halfofus.com), Love is Louder (loveislouder.com), and Seize the Awkward (seizetheawkward.org).
Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
Manuela McDonough
Director, Media Relations
202-812-5290
manuela@jedfoundation.org
If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone right now, text, call, or chat 988 for a free confidential conversation with a trained counselor 24/7.
You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.
If this is a medical emergency or if there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.
