Carmel Catholic High School continues to strengthen its commitment to student wellness thanks to the support of Megan Butz Legacy of Hope, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting youth mental health and suicide prevention.
In September, Carmel Catholic hosted its bi-annual Wellness Day, a signature event focused on the social, emotional, and spiritual well-being of students. The day began with an inspiring all-school presentation by motivational speaker Darryl Bellamy, who challenged students to confront their fears with courage and embrace life’s challenges with confidence. Bellamy’s dynamic message set an uplifting tone for the day, encouraging students to recognize their inner strength and build resilience—a theme that aligns closely with Carmel Catholic’s mission to educate the whole person in mind, body, and spirit.
Wellness Day featured a variety of sessions designed to help students develop healthy coping strategies, strengthen relationships, and reflect on their overall well-being. The program exemplifies Carmel Catholic’s proactive approach to nurturing student mental health, an area that has been recently bolstered by a $23,000 grant from Meg’s Legacy of Hope.
The grant—part of more than $170,000 awarded this year by Megan Butz Legacy of Hope to Chicago-area nonprofits—will help expand Carmel Catholic’s mental health curriculum, providing new educational opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. The funding supported September's all-school presentation from Darryl Bellamy, and provided Mental Health First Aid training in August for all faculty members.
Meg’s Legacy of Hope was founded by Larry and Mary Jo Butz in memory of their daughter Megan “Meg” Butz, a 2012 Carmel Catholic graduate who passed away in 2020 at age 26. Since its founding in 2023, the organization has provided over $300,000 in grants to support mental health programming for at-risk teens and young adults.
“Evidence-based suicide prevention measures must be prioritized within our public health framework,” said Larry Butz. “We believe the most significant impact comes from supporting local programs with additional funds to increase their reach to young people.”
Carmel Catholic is proud to honor Meg’s legacy through continued efforts to promote mental wellness, education, and hope among its students—ensuring that every young person knows they are supported and valued.
About Meg’s Legacy of Hope
Meg’s Legacy of Hope is a 501(c)(3) based in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. The nonprofit supports mental health services for teenagers and young adults through funding initiatives, education, and community partnerships. For more information, visit https://megslegacyofhope.org/.