COMMUNITY
Nonprofit fights for mental health services for first responders
The Sodality Foundation has raised over $43,000 to provide support services for first responders and their families
鈥淔irst responders, they are the ones that go out, and they live everyone鈥檚 worst day every day鈥� said Ashly Key, the founder and president of the Sodality Foundation.
The Sodality Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2024 whose mission is to provide funding for first responders and their families to receive valuable training, peer support classes and clinical services to strengthen their mental health.
Key was inspired to start the foundation after her brother became a police officer in a small town in Idaho, and she watched him navigate his job as a first responder in a rural community that lacked mental health resources.
鈥淵ou know, I just started thinking, 鈥業 wonder if our New Mexico first responders are dealing with the same thing?鈥欌�� Key said.
Every member on the board of directors is a volunteer.
鈥淥ur board of directors is a dedicated group of individuals who share a deep passion for supporting the mental well-being of first responders,鈥� Key said.
Board members aren鈥檛 the only ones who share the passion for supporting first responders, as much of the foundation鈥檚 funding comes from donations.
Grants are also a large part of the foundation鈥檚 fundraising process, and according to its 2025 impact report, it raised $43,763.25.
鈥淔or being a nonprofit for only a year and a half, I feel like we鈥檝e been able to create changes and impact so many different lives,鈥� Key said.
Key stressed that we should all take a moment to thank a first responder to let them know that they are not alone.
鈥淲hen we care for those who care for us, our entire community becomes stronger,鈥� Key said.
Isabella Campbell is an intern with the New Mexico Local 近距离内射合集 Fellowships and Internships Program, which places emerging journalists in newsrooms across New Mexico. Learn more at http://www.newmexicolocalnewsfellowships.org. She can be reached at icampbell@abqjournal.com.
