MARIUS MAXIMUS FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH INC

The Marius Maximus Foundation (MMF) is a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, mental health support, substance abuse recovery, and homelessness prevention. The foundation was born out of the tragic loss of Marius Maximus, who took his own life at the age of 17. This loss has since fueled the organization's mission to provide comprehensive support to individuals and families, ensuring that mental wellness and recovery resources are accessible to all. MMF's philosophy is grounded in compassion, lived experience, and inclusive care, creating a supportive community that fosters resilience and provides pathways to recovery.

Mission and Vision
The mission of the Marius Maximus Foundation is to prevent suicide, promote mental health, and combat substance abuse within the community. MMF provides support through innovative programs, compassionate care, and strategic partnerships. The foundation works to offer hope, foster resilience, and create pathways to recovery, empowering individuals and families to lead fulfilling lives. MMF envisions a community where mental wellness and recovery are accessible to all, and it strives to expand its reach through inclusion, awareness campaigns, and partnerships with other local organizations.

Utilizing Individuals with Lived Experience
MMF believes in the power of lived experience and employs individuals who have personally navigated the challenges of mental health struggles, substance use, homelessness, or other adversities. These individuals bring unique insight and empathy, creating an environment where clients feel understood and supported on their journey to recovery.

The foundation employs Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS), who play a vital role in day-to-day operations and support services. These specialists are individuals who have lived through similar experiences and have undergone specialized training to guide others in their recovery journey. This peer-driven model ensures that those seeking help can relate to the people guiding them, fostering trust and mutual respect.

Low-Barrier Employer
MMF operates as a low-barrier employer, meaning it removes unnecessary hurdles for potential employees, especially those from marginalized or underserved communities. By adopting this approach, the foundation creates employment opportunities for individuals who might otherwise face discrimination due to their history with mental health issues, substance use, homelessness, or involvement with the justice system. MMF believes that those who have experienced such struggles can become empowered when given a second chance, contributing meaningfully to society while also aiding in the foundation's mission.

The foundation employs peer specialists, social workers, counselors, and other team members who bring diverse backgrounds to the organization. This inclusivity extends to individuals with past justice system involvement, those in recovery, and individuals with varying educational backgrounds. MMF ensures that all staff members, including those in leadership roles, are trained in Crisis Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care, Suicide Prevention/Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, and Cultural Sensitivity Training. This comprehensive training equips the team to handle the complex needs of their clients with expertise and compassion.

Programs and Services
MMF offers a range of services to support individuals and families, particularly those in vulnerable populations such as youth, veterans, the LGBTQIA+ community, older adults, and those experiencing homelessness. Through a holistic approach that combines peer support, mental health services, and housing stability, the foundation helps clients regain control of their lives.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Initiatives
Suicide prevention is a cornerstone of MMF's mission. The foundation conducts QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) and CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) trainings to educate community members on recognizing the warning signs of suicide and effectively intervening to prevent tragedies. MMF also offers Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) groups for youth and individuals, helping them develop emotional regulation skills, coping mechanisms, and interpersonal relationships to improve their mental health.

MMF's awareness campaigns have gained significant traction, particularly through events like Youth Night, held at Segra Stadium, which drew 150 youth and their families. These campaigns aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, encouraging open conversations and seeking help.

Homelessness Prevention Programs
The Youth Homeless Prevention and Stability Program targets youth up to age 24, including single parents and unaccompanied youth. The program provides services such as employment readiness, financial literacy, resume building, and social-emotional regulation sessions. MMF's partnerships with local organizations, such as Cape Fear Valley Health Systems, Broken Chains BCJC, and Digital Connect to the Digital World, provide in-kind services, including mental health assessments, case management, and housing navigation.

This program places a strong emphasis on peer support, guiding participants through milestones at 3, 6, and 12 months. Participants receive support such as rental assistance, utility deposits, and daycare, with additional support extended for those with substance use disorders. The program is tailored to meet HUD guidelines and prioritizes individuals in shelter or domestic violence situations, aiming to place 85% of participants into stable housing and 15% into employment or educational programs.

Street Outreach Services
MMF's Street Outreach Program connects individuals experiencing homelessness with housing, shelter, peer support, and mental health services. The outreach efforts are strengthened by partnerships with local organizations, including the Path Program, Veterans of the Carolinas, Cumberland HealthNet, and Cape Fear Valley Health Systems, who offer essential services such as mental health and housing support. These partners also provide essential items such as food, hygiene kits, and outreach materials to support individuals living on the streets.

Collaborations and Partnerships
MMF collaborates with numerous local partners to enhance its services and expand its impact. Key partners include Cape Fear Valley Health Systems, which provides in-kind support for mental health and substance use disorder assessments, and Broken Chains BCJC, which offers peer support for individuals in recovery. Kingdom Impact and Christy Conaway provide Biblical counseling, while Digital Connect to the Digital World (DC2DW LLC) assists with housing navigation and case management for the foundation's homeless prevention program.

MMF also collaborates with partners like Alliance Health, Wellcare, and Cape Fear Community Paramedics to support its broader mental health initiatives. These partnerships are instrumental in reducing wait times for mental health services, improving referral systems, and providing continuity of care for individuals discharged from hospitals or inpatient facilities.

Community Involvement and Awareness
The foundation places a strong emphasis on community involvement. MMF's goal is to increase participation in awareness campaigns by 15% and strengthen partnerships with local organizations. As part of this effort, the foundation organizes events such as Youth Night and the Suicide Awareness Run/Ride, engaging hundreds of participants and raising awareness about suicide prevention and mental health challenges.

Since the start of one of its grant cycles, MMF has increased its partners from 4 to 40 within two months and aims to add 15 more by the end of the grant period. This rapid growth reflects the foundation’s commitment to fostering collaborative efforts that broaden its reach and deepen its impact.

Commitment to Inclusivity
Inclusion is a core value of the Marius Maximus Foundation. The foundation is deeply committed to expanding suicide prevention and mental health services to underserved and stigmatized populations. LGBTQIA+ individuals, older adults, veterans, youth, and ESL (English as a Second Language) communities are specifically targeted through culturally competent care, peer support services, and collaboration with organizations like Cape Fear Valley Health Systems and Broken Chains BCJC.

The foundation also advocates for the inclusion of individuals with justice system involvement, empowering them to rebuild their lives and make positive contributions to society. MMF works to create pathways to employment, education, and personal growth for these individuals through partnerships with programs like the FTCC HOPE Program and Life Net Services.

Sustainability and Future Growth
The Marius Maximus Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of its programs through a multifaceted approach. The foundation continually pursues grant applications to support its expanding services, alongside developing and selling merchandise to raise funds. In addition, MMF engages in various fundraising efforts and actively seeks private foundational grants to secure long-term financial stability. As part of its commitment to the community, MMF is also a member of the Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team (CFORT) and will be providing essential services at the new Cumberland County Recovery Center as well as the Fayetteville Cares Day Resource Center.

Through these ongoing initiatives, MMF ensures that its life-saving programs continue to grow, evolve, and serve the needs of vulnerable populations across North Carolina and beyond.

The Marius Maximus Foundation is a beacon of hope and resilience, drawing strength from its roots in lived experience to help others navigate the challenges of mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness. By providing peer support, mental health services, housing stability, and educational opportunities, MMF empowers individuals to reclaim their lives and achieve lasting recovery.