By STU CLAMPITT
The Chris Center’s mission is to assist teenagers with their emotional wellness through connecting them to nature. To help raise money for their mission, they are holding an all-female charity golf event called Divot Divas.
Chris Center Chief Marketing and Development Officer Adele Smith told The Reporter the 18-hole event will begin at 11 a.m. on June 25 at Wood Wind Golf Course, 2302 W. 161st St., Westfield.
“We would really like to have 50 golfers,” Smith said. “All the money will go to the Chris Center and our mission of making a difference in promoting the mental and emotional wellbeing of teenagers, specifically in central Indiana by connecting them with nature and the healing power of human-animal interaction.”
According to FAIR Health, an independent nonprofit that collects data for and manages the nation’s largest database of privately billed health insurance claims, in 2021 mental health claims among teens doubled during the pandemic.
“Even before the pandemic the American Surgeon General announced that his main focus for the country going forward was helping address the fact that teens were in crisis,” Smith said. “Obviously when COVID hit that made it all the worse. According to the CDC’s 2019 pre-pandemic data, greater than one-third of high school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Approximatively one in five students have seriously considered suicide and almost one in 10 has attempted suicide. The isolation and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic have profoundly worsened the state of adolescent mental health with increased rates of anxiety, depression and intentional self-harm.”
The Chris Center’s programs are based on research demonstrating the health and wellness benefits of interacting with animals and participating in farming activities. These benefits include improved self-esteem and mood, increased social interaction, and decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression.
One way the Chris Center tried to help is through the Alpaca Adventure Program, which helps adolescents through alpaca-assisted activities. You can read more about that at this link.
Funds raised at Divot Divas will help them continue their work to help youth struggling with several mental and social issues.
It all begins at 11 a.m. on June 25 with pop-up tents, giveaways and goodies. Tickets include a round of golf, a box lunch, two drink tickets, and an 8 percent discount in the pro golf shop. After registration, golfers are welcome to bid on items in the silent auction.
There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start to the golf scramble. Lunch and water will be provided on golf carts. Drink tickets can be redeemed on the course.
From 5 to 6 p.m., the 19th hole reception around the firepits will include for drinks and prizes.
Click here to sign up for a day of golf and giving.
No alpacas will be present on the course, but every entry will aid in the effort to bring these beautiful beasts closer to troubled teens who need to know nature can help heal the stress, suffering and social isolation in our weary world.