Zach's Story
Our Endowment
Zach's Story
All who knew Zach remember his smile, sense of humor and kindness. Zach had just turned 19 and graduated Baker High School. He was headed to Virginia Tech and accepted into the prestigious Corps of Cadets, US Army ROTC. Military service was his lifelong dream. He excelled in the Civil Air Patrol having completed their rigorous Ran
All who knew Zach remember his smile, sense of humor and kindness. Zach had just turned 19 and graduated Baker High School. He was headed to Virginia Tech and accepted into the prestigious Corps of Cadets, US Army ROTC. Military service was his lifelong dream. He excelled in the Civil Air Patrol having completed their rigorous Ranger School as well as Winter Mountain Rescue. Sadly, Zach unexpectedly took his life on the morning of August 16, 2019.
Unfortunately, Zach's story is not unique. Signs of depression in teens and young people often go unnoticed, especially if they do not reach out for help in times of crisis.
Our Mission
Our Endowment
Zach's Story
Our mission is to build awareness, support effective treatment programs and reduce the prevalence of suicide among young people in our communities. We raise awareness through a variety of community events and speaking engagements. In addition to our endowment at the Upsate Foundation, we help fund local programs of the American Foundat
Our mission is to build awareness, support effective treatment programs and reduce the prevalence of suicide among young people in our communities. We raise awareness through a variety of community events and speaking engagements. In addition to our endowment at the Upsate Foundation, we help fund local programs of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other local organizations committed to reduce suicides, especially among young people.
We are a 100% volunteer charitable organization.
501(c)3 TIN# 85-0535325
Our Endowment
Our Endowment
Our Endowment
The Zach Helfrich Memorial Endowment at the Upstate Foundation supports Upstate Medical University's Psychiatry High Risk Program (PHRP) which is a highly effective outpatient treatment center for adolescents and young people at high risk of suicide. The PHRP treats teenagers 14+ and young people, many of which had multiple attempts.
The Zach Helfrich Memorial Endowment at the Upstate Foundation supports Upstate Medical University's Psychiatry High Risk Program (PHRP) which is a highly effective outpatient treatment center for adolescents and young people at high risk of suicide. The PHRP treats teenagers 14+ and young people, many of which had multiple attempts. Their nationally recognized outpatient program is phenomenally successful and saved many young lives.
Please help us expand their life saving mental health programs for teens and young people.
The Zach Helfrich Memorial Fund also supports the Elmcrest Children's Center's Mental Health Respite Program. Located in Syracuse and opened in 2023, the Respite provides immediate 24-hour residential care for children suffering a mental health crisis.
