When Families Heal, Youth Thrive

The wellbeing of the youth in our community has always been paramount to Marin Charitable.

And in recent years, mental health has become one of the most significant areas where our youth are struggling.

A 2024 youth-led survey through Marin County’s AIM Ideas Lab found that nearly 90% of local teens report anxiety among their peers, while more than 86% report high stress or burnout. More than 70% identified depression or low self-esteem as major concerns among youth.

It’s no surprise, then, that one of the most meaningful ways to support youth is to begin with family.

That’s why we’ve chosen to award the largest single gift in Marin Charitable’s 65-year history to the Community Institute for Psychotherapy (CIP). Thanks to a generous bequest from John Wilhelm, we are introducing the inaugural Wilhelm Grant, a new, periodic initiative designed to support transformational opportunities in our community.

This year, the Wilhelm Grant will provide CIP with $25,000 to launch a new whole-family therapy program.

Mental health experts increasingly recognize that when families receive support together, outcomes for youth improve significantly. Through this grant, approximately 30 families will receive nearly 555 hours of therapy…roughly 18.5 sessions per family…through CIP’s new counseling initiative.

CIP was founded in 1977 to provide quality, low-cost mental health services to individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to professional care. They’re still doing that today. For nearly five decades, they have quietly helped our community heal, one patient and one family at a time.

That kind of focused dedication mirrors John Wilhelm’s own quiet approach to giving; thoughtful, humble, and deeply rooted in meaningful impact rather than recognition.

We are honored to partner with CIP in this grounded and community-centered endeavor. In many ways, this work feels transformational — not only for the families who will directly benefit from these services, but also for Marin Charitable as we continue to evolve the ways we support youth in our community.

Because when families heal, youth thrive.