In 2022, 109,680 people died of drug overdoses in the U.S. 68% of those deaths are linked to illicitly manufactured Fentanyl.

In Mesa County, we lost 32 individuals due to substance use, but there is hope and help for individuals struggling with addiction.

Our work is more important than ever as individuals and families continue to struggle with substance use issues. Illicit Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs in overdose deaths, and now kill over 150 people every day in the U.S. In Mesa County, to date, there have been nearly 100 court cases involving Fentanyl, and 113 involving drug felonies. Programs supported by the Brownson Memorial Fund help in education and prevention efforts for our youth, increased counseling, peer support, and treatment options for recovery, and increasing public awareness and harm reduction efforts in the community – your help is needed in the fight.

The important work of the Brownson Memorial Fund continues the mission of Bridge House, founded in 1964 by local leaders to assist people struggling with alcohol addiction. Since then, the Fund has distributed over $490,000.00 to local organizations to continue this work. This year, with your continued support, we were able to give $34,500 to 10 different organizations, all working to provide education, prevention, treatment…and most of all hope to individuals struggling with addiction.

2023 Brownson Memorial Fund Grant Recipients

  • Counseling and Education Center; Addiction and Substance Use Counseling for Individuals
  • Girls on the Run of the Grand Valley; Heart and Sole Programming for Middle School Girls
  • Good Samaritan Clinic of Western Colorado; Clinic Substance Use Disorder support
  • Grand Valley Catholic Outreach; La Mariposa
  • HomewardBound of the Grand Valley; Recovery Living Programs
  • Karis, Inc.; Safe-R Peer Outreach Development Group for Youth Clients
  • Marillac Clinic, Inc.; Behavioral Health Screening at 12th St Clinic
  • Mesa Youth Services, Inc dba Mesa County Partners; Substance Abuse Prevention Education Classes, and Drug Threat Oversight Committee – Share and Care Family Support
  • Riverside Education Centers; Substance Abuse Prevention Education for Youth
  • Western Colorado Area Health Education Center; MCORG Events and School Awareness Campaigns

BMF ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Lynn “Gus” Brownson (Co-Chair)
Joe Higgins (Co-Chair)
Barbara Bowman
Robert “Sandy” Brownson
Jane Quimby
Dan Robinson
Mary Rogers
Mary Pat Larson
Mary Watson

To donate to the Brownson Memorial Fund, click HERE