The holidays are often described as a season of joy — gatherings with loved ones, warm traditions, and moments of gratitude. For many, this is true. But for countless others, this time of year brings a complex mix of emotions. The season can highlight who or what we’ve lost, magnify mental health struggles, or deepen the pain of addiction and grief. Even in rooms filled with celebration, people can feel alone.
This is why support matters. Not just gifts, traditions, or decorations, but real, steady, compassionate support from people who understand.
At Elevate, we see how much that support can mean. We meet parents who are quietly holding their families together while worrying about a child’s substance use. We talk with teens who feel overwhelmed by expectations, loneliness, or pressures they don’t know how to express. We hear from grandparents, siblings, and friends who carry their concern silently, unsure of how to help or what to do next.
During the holidays, these feelings don’t disappear. In fact, they often intensify. The contrast between what the season “should” feel like and what someone is really going through can be incredibly heavy. A single tough night can feel even tougher when the world seems to be celebrating all around you.
In these moments, having someone who listens — someone who doesn’t judge, who offers understanding, and who can guide you toward hope — makes all the difference.
Support helps people feel seen.
It helps them breathe again.
It reminds them that even in the darkest seasons, light still exists.
That’s the heart of what Elevate offers: a place where people can reach out and not feel alone. A place where they can find someone to talk to, someone to walk beside them, someone to remind them that what they’re feeling is real, and that healing is possible.
But this year, the need for that support is growing. With recent state and federal funding freezes affecting nonprofits across the country, including several of Elevate’s programs, our community faces new challenges. Families who are already struggling may find it even harder to access help when they need it most.
As you move through this holiday season, we invite you to keep those individuals and families in your heart. And if you’re able, consider helping Elevate continue offering the support that means so much during this time of year. Together, we can make sure no one has to face the season alone. https://elevateyou.org/get-involved
