Rural Resilience

07/08/2026

For the Love of Park County, GIVE A HOOT for Rural Resilience!
Resilient Educators. Thriving Students. Stronger Communities. Support us today:
https://mtyc.co/ya5ovf

07/07/2026

🎉 Please join us in welcoming our newest Board Member, July Hardesty! 🎉

Rural Resilience is excited to welcome July Hardesty to our Board of Directors!

Born and raised in Livingston, July has a deep love for our community and a passion for helping others build secure and meaningful futures. As a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones and an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ professional, he works closely with individuals, families, retirees, business owners, and those navigating significant life transitions to create thoughtful, long-term financial strategies.

But beyond his professional expertise, July is someone who believes in investing in people and strengthening the community he calls home. Alongside his wife, Alejandra, and their daughter, Zayla, he is committed to making Livingston an even better place for future generations.

When he’s not serving clients, you’ll likely find him enjoying time with his family, exploring Montana’s outdoors, golfing, reading, or rockhounding along the Yellowstone River.

As Rural Resilience continues to expand access to behavioral and mental health supports for rural youth, families, and educators across Park County, July’s financial expertise, local perspective, and heart for service will be an incredible asset to our organization.

Please help us give July Hardesty a warm Rural Resilience welcome! We are grateful for his willingness to serve and look forward to the leadership and vision he will bring to our mission.

💙 Welcome to the team, July!
StrongerTogether RuralMentalHealth

07/07/2026

💙 Welcome to the Rural Resilience Team, Brenda Stephani, LCPC! 💙

We are excited to introduce Brenda Stephani, LCPC, who joins Rural Resilience as a contracted therapist dedicated to serving the youth and families of rural Park County.

Brenda first discovered both the joys and challenges of rural living while earning her undergraduate degree in Natural Horsemanship from the University of Montana Western in Dillon. Her passion for helping young people led her to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Prescott College with the goal of providing equine-assisted therapy to youth.

Her journey has taken her from Montana to the Seattle area, where she worked in residential treatment specializing in problematic technology use, before returning home to Montana in 2020. Since then, she has served youth from preschool through high school in Livingston’s schools and community, primarily at East Side Elementary, where she worked as both a therapist and school-based program manager.

With more than 10 years as a licensed clinician, Brenda brings extensive experience in trauma-informed care, strengths-based therapy, skill building, and helping young people develop a positive relationship with therapy. She believes meaningful change happens through teamwork, listening, creativity, and strong partnerships with families and schools.

When she’s not supporting youth, you’ll likely find Brenda spending time with horses, reading fantasy novels, baking cookies, kayaking the Yellowstone River, or searching for the perfect rock along the shore.

Brenda’s experience, compassion, and commitment to rural communities make her an incredible addition to our growing team. We are honored to have her helping expand access to high-quality behavioral and mental health services for students and families across Park County.

Please join us in giving Brenda a warm Rural Resilience welcome! 💙

07/07/2026

We are so proud to serve Gardiner Public School! GIVE A HOOT for Youth Mental Health, support Rural Resilience! https://www.give-a-hoot.org/organization/ruralresiliencemt

Why should you GAH about our students? NYEF collaborates with Rural Resilience to bring a licensed mental health therapist and a behaviorist to our rural school. We are raising funds to continue our support for these crucial positions. Remote schools face higher levels of stress, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, as shown in the state's 2024 Personal Needs Assessment. Gardiner students, unfortunately, had some of the highest numbers in the county and state. Make a donation today!
https://www.give-a-hoot.org/organization/nyef

07/06/2026

Summer is in full swing, and so is our Summer Trailblazer Program! ☀️🌿

Led by our incredible Family Peer Support Liaison, this program provides children with opportunities to build confidence, strengthen friendships, develop resilience, and create lasting memories through fun, engaging activities in a safe and supportive environment.

At Rural Resilience, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive, connect, and discover their strengths—and that’s exactly what our Summer Trailblazers are doing each day.

If you’d like to invest in the future of our youth and help us continue offering meaningful programs like this, now is the perfect time to give. Through Give a Hoot, every donation receives a partial match, meaning your generosity goes even further to support children and families across our community.

Together, we can continue building stronger, healthier, and more resilient futures—one child at a time.

💙 Donate today and help our Trailblazers keep growing!

https://www.give-a-hoot.org/story/zgh3kf

07/06/2026

GIVE A HOOT- Change a Life! Support Park County Youth Mental Health!

07/01/2026

Some investments change lives for a moment. Others change the future.

At Rural Resilience, we’re investing in what matters most: the mental health and well-being of our rural communities.

💚 We support youth by providing access to mental health services, building resilience, and creating safe spaces where they can grow and thrive.

🌞 Through our Summer Trailblazers program, children gain confidence, develop healthy coping skills, build friendships, and create lasting memories in an environment designed to strengthen their well-being.

🍎 We invest in educators by supporting their mental health, professional development, and retention—because when teachers are supported, entire classrooms and communities benefit.

🤝 We partner with families, providing resources, guidance, and support so they never have to navigate life’s challenges alone.

Every child deserves hope. Every educator deserves support. Every family deserves access to care. Together, we’re building stronger, healthier rural communities—one relationship, one family, and one future at a time.

Your support during Give a Hoot helps make this possible. Every gift, every share, and every conversation brings us one step closer to ensuring that no child, family, or educator has to face these challenges alone.

Together, we’re not just meeting today’s needs—we’re creating a brighter future for the next generation.

Partial match for every donation! Link in Bio ⭐️
https://www.give-a-hoot.org/organization/ruralresiliencemt

06/26/2026

☀️ Summer Trailblazers is in full swing, and what an incredible summer it has been! 🌿💙

Our Rural Resilience Trailblazers have been learning, exploring, creating, building friendships, and making memories that will last a lifetime. The smiles, laughter, and growth we’ve seen have made this program so special—and we’ve enjoyed every minute right alongside them!

There’s still time to join the fun! We have just a few weeks of camp remaining, with programs being offered in Gardiner and Shields Valley.

If you’re interested in enrolling your child or would like more information, please reach out today. We’d love to welcome your family to an unforgettable summer with Rural Resilience! 🌞🌲💚

06/24/2026

Early Giving Starts Now for Give a Hoot!

At Rural Resilience, we believe strong communities begin with healthy, supported children, educators, and families. Today, we’re excited to kick off Early Giving for the annual Give a Hoot campaign!

This year, supporters can choose to make an impact through one of three meaningful initiatives:

💙 Rural Youth Mental Health
Helping children and teens access vital mental and behavioral health services, build resilience, and thrive in school, at home, and in their communities.

🍎 Educator Well-Being & Retention
Supporting the dedicated educators who show up for our students every day through wellness resources, professional support, and programs that help retain exceptional teachers in rural communities.

☀️ Summer Resilience Program
Providing youth with enriching summer experiences focused on social-emotional learning, connection, confidence-building, and fun.

Every dollar stays local and helps strengthen the well-being of children, educators, and families throughout Park County.

Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient future for our community.

Choose the cause closest to your heart and give today!

https://mtyc.co/7t4c8f

TeacherRetention SummerResilience ParkCountyMT CommunityStrong MentalHealthMatters SupportLocalKids GiveLocalLiveLocal

06/10/2026

Sending out a big THANK YOU to July Hardesty at Edward Jones for his generous sponsorship of the 2026 GIVE A HOOT Matching Pool.

Raised in Livingston and a Park High graduate, July is Livingston's only accredited wealth management advisor (AWMA), helping families and business owners grow and protect their wealth. Next time you’re downtown take a second to stop by his office at 115 W Callender to thank him for supporting Park County nonprofits!

GIVE A HOOT, County Community Foundation's month-long giving challenge in July 🎆, celebrates the spirit of generosity in Park County. The Matching Pool inspires the whole community to support their favorite local nonprofits who qualify for partial matching funds. Learn more at https://www.give-a-hoot.org.