Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Real Eyes Truth Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 801 W. Main St.
City: Hyannis
State: Massachusetts
Postal Code: 02601
Main Phone: 508-225-1755
Main Fax: 508-310-4944
Organization Website: www.realeyestruth.org
Employer ID Number: 88-0595871
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: February 12, 2025
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title:
Project Description:

Working with families in this community there has continuously been statements around "there is no mental health treatment for kids on the Cape"…"I try with other places and they’re overworked and don’t know what to tell me"…"I don’t know what else to do to get the help my kid needs". These are some direct quotes of parents within the community that feel left lost on how to navigate the support for their children and many times we have heard of stories of children that didn’t get the help they need and are now struggling with substance use or have completed suicide. The rates for substance and suicide have continued to increase within the past few years on Cape Cod. Recently the Children’s Behavioral Health Needs Assessment from the Barnstable County Human Resources Department completed a widespread 14 month research of data collection throughout the Cape to identify the needs of young people. The underlying contributing factors to mental health and substance use in youth were identified as: Trauma and adverse childhood experiences, Parenting and family dynamics, Social media and technology, Bullying, Peer pressure, Body image, Academic pressure, School environment, Social isolation, Economic factors, and Stigma. A main factor that contributes to these issues is "The limited number of behavioral health providers and services available in Barnstable County poses a foundational barrier to addressing the growing behavioral health needs of young people". The urgency of this matter is exactly why we have focused on group therapies, family workshops, and community events in order to provide more access to therapeutic healing spaces for young people and their families.

The Family Restoration Projects would have two aspects: individual trauma and mental health therapy for children and community workshops for family restoration resources. For marginalized populations that do not have therapy or have insurance discrimination due to masshealth disparities, we would provide free individual therapy to children and their parents. The funding would allow to pay highly skilled professionals to ensure that marginalized populations are not negated from quality care.

The community project activities would psycho-education seminars, children’s art therapy, family restoration workshops, teen support groups within schools, and community gatherings to foster a sense of inclusion. All parts of the projects would be free and accessible to anyone.

There would be several series throughout the Barnstable County that are in conjunction with high focused youth areas–elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, DCF offices, Cape Cod Healthcare facilities, and other local non-profits such as To the Moon and Back who focus on families healing from NAS and the Town of Harwich Youth and Family Services. Real Eyes Truth has already been establishing working collaborations within the community to create these opportunities and funding would provide an incentive for local agencies to continue the collaboration in order to pay for facilitators.

Total Project Budget: $49,440

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Opioid Abatement Funding; Towers Foundation;

Project Duration: 1 year
Geographical Area Served: Cape Cod with priority to Barnstable County
Age Group To Be Served: 4-19

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Raja
Contact Last Name: Sinjab, PhD
Contact Title: Co-founder/Clinical Director
Contact Phone: 774-400-0437
Contact Email: real.eyes.truth.inc@gmail.com