Starting with Me Inc. is a non-profit organization founded by Nicarla Donato in Yonkers, New York. A first-generation American, Donato's parents were born in Haiti, and she was born and raised in New York. The organization was established in response to Donato's personal experience of mental health decline after becoming a victim of a crime. As a five-time suicide survivor, she struggled through school without the proper treatment. She encountered numerous barriers in her search for the right therapist, including transportation, high co-payments, and loss of insurance. Frustrated by the system, Donato began speaking with politicians to learn about programs available and what they were doing to support the community.
In 2016, Donato graduated from the University of Phoenix with an Associate in Science for Healthcare Management. A year later, she founded Starting With Me Inc. and began to hold peer groups and women's empowerment events. With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field, Donato's organization serves as a valuable resource for those struggling with mental health issues.
STARTING WITH Me Inc. has recently revitalized its mission in Frederick, Maryland. The organization seeks to not only offer therapy services but also collaborate with other non-profit entities to eliminate obstacles that impede patients from accessing and continuing treatment.
Breaking the chains for Change
our Mission
Breaking down the barriers to mental health is our organization's core mission and objective. Mental illnesses do not discriminate and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Regrettably, a pervasive stigma around these issues remains, which can deter people from seeking help. Our goal is to transform this narrative.
Our organization is dedicated to helping those who struggle with mental illness, especially those who have experienced physical or sexual violence. Through peer groups and professional counseling, we are working to dismantle the barriers that prevent people from accessing the care they need. We provide resources and support to help individuals heal and overcome the stigma surrounding their condition.
At the same time, we recognize that each person has unique needs, and that is why we endeavor to connect our clients with other non-profit organizations that can provide additional resources and support. Our primary objective is to help our clients find the right services that meet their specific needs, regardless of their insurance coverage or financial situation.
We take immense pride in bringing peer support services to Maryland and look forward to collaborating with other non-profits to promote mental health and well-being for all. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please don't hesitate to reach out – we are here to help.
Breaking the Chains for Change
healing through meditation
Team
Our
Board President
Esther Hendrickson
I possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Master's degree in Information Systems Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Illinois. With over 20 years of experience in Regulatory Affairs, my career began as an administrative associate before progressing to a regulatory affairs specialist role. Following the acquisition of the start-up company, I was offered a consulting position with a biotech company where I served as the manager of regulatory affairs. My responsibilities included updating their filing systems, amending IDE/IND, as well as writing and rewriting SOPs. Currently, I work as a consultant in regulatory affairs and quality assurance at a pharmaceutical company. In this role, I conduct internal audits of the cGMP, approve drug releases to clinical trial sites, ensure OSHA compliance, and write and review SOPs. My expertise spans across FDA/ICH regulations, FDA submissions, intellectual property management and watch, marketing, human resources, and Information systems management.
Board Member Multimedia
Jason Donato
·I was born and raised in New York. I have work in Supervised and provided counseling and leadership to children and young adults in groups of up to seven individuals between the ages of 4years to 16 years old. Supervised and trained all new staff, maintained logbooks, and ordered supplies and maintain database. I currently work as a supervisor of cabling construction company contracted with Verizon providing networking capabilities to various neighborhoods.
Members
Board
Board Member Vice Chair
Marlon Jeudy
He serves as lead contact for 8 years for various non-profit and community-based organizations in his marketing and outreach and enrollment program position. He works in the healthcare program and has experience with the various systems, and Medicaid insurance availability based on patients' needs. As a manager, co-director, and director of marketing of a well-known health center, he provides assistance to clients with filing for and obtaining Health insurance. He has done presentations to communities and leadership on community physical and mental health conditions. He is certified NY State Department of Health Application Counselor
Interpersonal communication
Board Member Client liason
Coleene Jeudy
Starting with Me, Inc.
wants to help people who are being hospitalized due to Mental Health Crises.
Many of these individuals don’t have outside support, and sometimes only the clothes on their backs or barely any clothes at all, especially in emergency lifesaving situations.
Although some hospitals have standard items to provide to new patients, they are limited in the Psychiatric or Behavioral Health units, especially clothing items.
We hope that the items will allow patients to be comfortable and have activities to do during their long stay.
Starting With Me, Inc. is currently fundraising for
We ask that Items being donated are on the list
due to patient safety and hospital regulations.
Let’s support people in Mental Crisis!
John Hopkins Bayview Hospital
P.O.Box 994 Mount Airy MD 21771
N.Donato@Startingwithmeinc.org
Please Donate Items to
Starting With Me Inc.
P.O.Box 994
Mount Airy MD 21771
Our hospital has given the green light to these family-approved gifts. Please ensure your donation of undergarments are brand new with tags or in original packaging.
Here's what's on the list:
- Loungewear, T-shirts, Underwear Sports bras (no underwire) all sizes for all ages
- Journals and Books of encouragement and inspiration
- Coloring books, crayons, coloring pencils
- Inspirational-positive Activity books
- Small Hair ties, scrunchies, bonnets or Turbans
For Help dial
988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
or
Text HOME to 741741
to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor
P.O.Box 994
Mount Airy MD 21771
Grants
Donations To Starting With Me will assist individuals seeking mental treatment with a grant covering the cost of at least three Therapy sessions. We hope to help them find cost-effective or state-funded insurance to continue Therapy. Our goal in the future is to help patients with transportation to their appointments if a tele-visit is not possible. We will work on behalf of the patient to assist with scheduling transportation with their local Dot or if that is unavailable we will work with a car service of their choosing to get them to their appointments.
The grants will be paid to the providers directly.
We hope to build a list of providers currently accepting new patients that we can work with to match them with a patient.
All Applications will are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Applications will be open for review as funds become available.
The grant is available for those in Carroll, and Baltimore Counties in Maryland.
Thank You for your continued Support!
