Ashlee: Making Space for Mental Health

October 10, 2026

On World Mental Health Day, we’re celebrating the community partners who help Girl Scouts create spaces where girls can learn, lead, and care for themselves and others.

Ashlee, from The Kim Foundation, has partnered with Girl Scouts across Nebraska on mental health programming covering everything from healthy friendships and coping skills to social media and mental health, self-regulation, and building Calm Kits.

But the experience that has stayed with her most was mentoring a Girl Scout named Helen as she worked toward her Gold Award.

Helen wanted to focus her project on mental health outreach and creating safe, welcoming spaces in her community. Together, she and Ashlee talked through ideas, explored what would help people feel comfortable, and found ways to make mental health education feel approachable rather than intimidating.

Helen went on to host events at locations around Omaha, inviting Ashlee to speak about mental health and well-being. She thought through every detail—from the space and marketing to activities, resources, fidgets, snacks, and even setting up the AV.

It was clear to Ashlee that Helen wasn't simply completing a project for an award. She genuinely cared about how people felt when they walked through the door and wanted them to leave feeling supported.

Even after Helen completed her Gold Award, she was already thinking about what could come next and how she could continue making an impact.

“Watching her take an idea and turn it into something that brought people together reminded me how powerful the next generation of girls are.”

We’re grateful to Ashlee and The Kim Foundation for believing in Girl Scouts, investing in girls, and helping create spaces where mental health conversations can feel a little more approachable.

Because sometimes, giving girls a space to lead means giving them the chance to create that space for someone else.

100 years. Countless stories. One lasting legacy.