Support the Williamson County Mental Health Task Force Sub-Committee "ALAN'S HOPE"

To make a donation to Alan's Hope in order to help us offset the costs of our annual National Suicide Prevention Week event, go to this link: 
Donate to Alan's Hope

Many suicide prevention organizations research and collect data and then provide important and useful statistics (we are glad that they do!).  Pick With Austin, however, does not do that.  Instead, we are more focused on hands-on implementing of outreach programs in the community.

While much of our outreach takes place within Williamson and Travis Counties, Central Texas, we have participated in national and international platforms (including guitars for children in an orphanage in Africa).

Below you will find a listing of some of our outreach programs.

Juvenile Services

• We provide guitars and musical instruments to individuals who are in the juvenile justice system  (they can go home with the  teens when they leave).
• We provide guitars for the Justice Center (these guitars stay resident).
• We meet with teens to discuss guitars and music and promote creative outlets as alternatives to depression.
• We provide guitars and other musical instruments to children and teens who are in the Juvenile Services system.

Alan's Hope Committee

• Williamson County Mental Health Task Force Sub-Committee
• This is a cross-functional committee consisting of County Commissioners, Justices of the Peace, Law Enforcement, and Mental Health Professionals.
• The Committee works toward goals of strengthening the reliability of  county suicide data and statistics.
• The Committee seeks community outreach programs and events to promote suicide prevention awareness.
• The Committee plans a yearly Suicide Prevention Week agenda and event(s).
• Please visit the Alan's Hope Project mural on May's Street in Round Rock, Texas.
• Visit and LIKE or FOLLOW  the  Alan's Hope Committee Facebook Page

• Pick With Austin recognizes the bond between owner's and their pets (dogs in particular).
• Our Therapy Dog program helps individuals work toward a goal of obtaining an emotional support animal.  
• Our own emotional support therapy dogs are available to meet with young people and their families who are deciding if this is a direction that they wish to go.

Online Support Groups

• Peer-to-Peer Support Groups are a powerful method for bringing people with "lived shared experiences" together. 
• Please contact us directly for a list of recommended Suicide Prevention Support Groups that we help Admin on Facebook.

Pick Across America

• Although we primarily serve Williamson County and parts of Central Texas, our message is universal, regardless where you are located.
• Pick Across America sends free guitar picks to musicians who are located anywhere in the USA in order to promote what we do and to get the word out.  It is our goal to see either our own expansion to a greater geographic demographic, but also to inspire others to deploy similar programs in their own communities.
• If you're a guitar player and want a few of our free Pick Across America guitar picks, send us an email with a mailing address.

• Pick With Austin is a partner with other non-profit  organizations in this program and under the leaderhip of Bluebonnet Trails Community Services.
• Developed an educational training program geared toward teens using Jason's Foundation course.
• Empowering youth to identify warning signs of suicide and teach them how to respond when peers may be at risk.
• Train trainers that can provide education to teens to meet above goal(s).
• Conduct training classes for teens through youth groups, schools, and various other community organizations.
• Visit and LIKE or FOLLOW  the WilcoTeens4Teens Facebook Page

• Pick With Austin takes part in local  non-profit networking sessions, and mental health task force meetings in order to maintain a prescence in the community.
• Pick With Austin representatives speak to youth groups, at events, colleges, ministries, and at other opportunities where a community voice can be heard.
• Pick With Austin distributes literature (both hard copy and digital online) designed to make people aware of resources available for suicide prevention and when seeking help in crisis or for related mental health or crisis services.
• Pick With Austin maintains a relationship with local and national music stores and manufacturers in order to spread awareness through their customer base.
• Pick With Austin's founder, Jeff Curley, is available to speak at events and is also available to news and media inquiries.

• Youth are referred to our program by psychiatrists, case managers, counselors, local youth groups, hospitals, teachers, psychiatric hospitals, as well as by individuals.
• Pick With Austin has donated guitars and other musical instruments to hundreds of youth in the Central Texas area since 2010, averaging 150 instruments that we give away free every year. 
• Guitars and related services may be requested using our available request form (download PDF from this page)