Attitudes In Reverse (AIR), a Princeton-based nonprofit, 100-percent volunteer organization whose mission is to save young people’s lives through mental-health and suicide-prevention education, was selected to receive a $50,000 grant from Microsoft’s Upgrade Your World USA program, a New Jersey Hero Award from First Lady Mary Pat Christie and a Centennial Award for Social Responsibility from the Princeton YMCA.
AIR has been selected by Microsoft to receive a $50,000 grant through its Upgrade Your World USA program. Microsoft requested votes from people worldwide to help local nonprofits making a difference in their communities be selected as Microsoft partners in their noble missions.
First Lady Christie and The Drumthwacket Foundation Board of Trustees will present the New Jersey Hero Award to Tricia during an artists’ reception and private viewing of a fine art photography exhibit, Inspire: Everyday People Changing New Jersey, at Drumthwacket on October 20, 2015.
AIR Co-Founder Tricia Baker was named the 37th New Jersey Hero by First Lady Christie. She and her husband and AIR™ Co-Founder Kurt Baker will be honored by the Princeton Family YMCA with a Centennial Award for Responsibility during its annual awards and fundraising event on October 22, 2015 at its facility at 59 Paul Robeson Place in Princeton.
Attitudes In Reverse (AIR) was established by Tricia, Kurt and Katelyn Baker of Plainsboro, in 2010, soon after their son/brother Kenny died by suicide following a long battle against severe depression and anxiety. Their mission is to save lives by educating students about mental health, related disorders and suicide prevention. Since January 2011, they have presented to more than 20,000 students in middle and high schools and colleges in New Jersey, New York and Vermont. AIR™ recently began offering Youth Mental Health First AID instructions. AIR™ includes the AIR Dogs: Paws for Minds™ program, bringing dogs into schools to help students de-stress and engage in the conversation about mental health. In addition, displaced dogs with the ability to serve as Emotional Support Dogs, are matched with individuals who have mental health disorders or developmental disabilities, thereby saving two lives with each match. For more information about AIR™, visit attitudesinreverse.org or call (609) 945-3200.
