SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Seasons Counseling of Michiana, a local non-profit mental health agency, announced on Monday that it’s been awarded a three-year grant from the Valihnos Foundation, which will help fund Seasons' free mental health counseling for Michiana youth and families.

The Valihnos Foundation is a private family foundation with the stated goal of improving the mental health and overall well-being landscape for youth, families, and communities across the state.

Seasons partners with area schools and youth-serving non-profits to provide free individual counseling, curriculum-based group counseling, and education services for students, families, faculty, and staff.

Officials say counseling is offered on-site at partner agencies and at Seasons Counseling’s offices in South Bend.

“Early intervention matters,” said Alexandra Sobieski Nicolini, Executive Director of Seasons Counseling of Michiana. “By addressing barriers that often prevent families from seeking care - like cost, transportation, and scheduling challenges - we are helping more youth and families access the help they need, often before mental health needs turn into moments of crisis. We are grateful for the Valinhos Foundation’s commitment to improving the lives and wellbeing of our regions’ youth and families.”