The Heallist Foundation launches to expand proactive youth wellness

By AI, Created 9:44 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The Heallist Foundation has launched as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on whole-child wellness for youth and families across the U.S. Its first program, Mountain Rise, will begin in Pennsylvania as the organization looks to build early intervention models before children reach crisis.

Why it matters: - The Heallist Foundation is targeting a gap in youth support by focusing on wellness before children reach crisis. - The nonprofit aims to reach families who do not qualify for traditional assistance but still cannot afford services that support child development. - The Foundation is positioning whole-child wellness as a community-health strategy, not just a school or sports add-on.

What happened: - The Heallist Foundation launched as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit on April 28, 2026. - The organization is based in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, and plans to serve youth and families across the United States. - Christine Carey founded the Foundation after 25 years in media, brand strategy and philanthropic leadership. - Carey said the Foundation is building a proactive layer that supports and extends healthcare systems before children reach a point of crisis. - The Foundation’s first program model, Mountain Rise, will launch in the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania as a proof of concept.

The details: - The Foundation’s model centers on whole-child wellness, with an emphasis on resilience, focus and emotional regulation. - The organization integrates wellness practices into athletics and movement, using performance environments as a way to reach children where they already are. - The Foundation operates through four core program areas: grants to certified wellness practitioners serving underserved communities, youth programs that integrate wellness into athletics and movement, full-day youth wellness workshops, and training for educators, coaches and clinicians. - The leadership team includes Director of Wellness Programs Jodi Carey, a nationally recognized wellness practitioner whose background spans clinical, military and high-performance environments. - The sports programming is led by Carmen Mercadante, a 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier with more than 30 years of coaching experience. - The Foundation says its work is informed by the gap in access to wellness resources, athletic programming and mental health support for millions of U.S. youth. - The Foundation cites CDC data showing that more than 40% of U.S. high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. - The organization says the access gap includes working families who fall just outside qualification thresholds for assistance. - The Foundation is seeking philanthropic partners, corporate funders and institutional collaborators. - Partnership opportunities include training for educators, coaches and clinicians, access to community spaces and co-sponsored initiatives that fund access for children and families. - More information is available at theheallistfoundation.com. - The Foundation also lists its LinkedIn page at LinkedIn.

Between the lines: - The launch reflects a broader shift toward preventive youth wellness and away from crisis-only intervention. - By combining athletics, education and practitioner support, the Foundation is trying to build a model that can be replicated in other communities. - The proof-of-concept launch in Pennsylvania suggests the organization wants measurable results before expanding nationally.

What’s next: - Mountain Rise will serve as the Foundation’s first test case in the Pocono Mountain region. - The Foundation plans to expand into additional communities nationwide after the initial rollout. - The organization will look for outside funding and community partnerships to scale programming and subsidize access for children and families. - The Foundation says it wants to deliver measurable impact through training, shared spaces and co-sponsored programs.