Adel family plans to give scholarships in honor of son who died by suicide – KCCI

 

Community Initiative Addresses Mental Health and Educational Gaps in Adel, Iowa

In response to a family tragedy, a community-led initiative in Adel, Iowa, has been established to address critical gaps in mental health services and educational opportunities. The Caelen Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund, created by the family of Caelen Peterson, aims to generate positive outcomes from their loss by supporting key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, education, and community partnerships.

Aligning with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Responding to a Youth Mental Health Crisis

The initiative was founded following the death by suicide of 14-year-old Caelen Peterson on February 8, 2023. His parents, Lindsey and Dale Peterson, believe the act was a rash decision linked to bullying. The family’s experience underscores the urgent need to address youth mental health challenges and promote well-being, a core target of SDG 3. By sharing their story, the Petersons aim to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies, contributing directly to SDG Target 3.4: to promote mental health and well-being.

Promoting Mental Health Services and Suicide Prevention

A primary objective of the foundation is to increase access to and awareness of mental health resources. This is achieved through several actions:

• Engaging local mental health agencies to be present at all community events.
• Directing families to appropriate resources through the Caelen Peterson Memorial Foundation.
• Promoting the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) as an immediate support system.
• Fostering a future workforce in mental health through dedicated scholarships.

Fostering Opportunities in Line with SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work

The Caelen Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund

The fund directly supports SDG 4 by providing pathways to quality education. Its central component is an annual $5,000 scholarship for a graduate of Adel DeSoto Minburn High School who intends to pursue a career in the mental health field. This scholarship not only facilitates access to tertiary education (SDG Target 4.3) but also strengthens the future workforce needed to achieve SDG 3.

Future Support for Diverse Educational Pathways

The foundation has outlined future goals to broaden its educational support, aligning with SDG 4 and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). These plans include:

• Providing financial assistance for students pursuing GED certificates.
• Offering support to students entering trade schools, including help with purchasing necessary tools.

This strategy recognizes diverse educational and career paths, including vocational training, which is critical for developing relevant skills for employment and decent work (SDG Target 4.4).

Building Community Resilience through SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Community Fundraising and Engagement

The initiative exemplifies SDG 17 by forging strong community partnerships to achieve its objectives. A series of fundraising events are scheduled to mobilize local support:

1. Summer Block Party: To be held on Saturday, July 19, from noon to 10 p.m. at the Community Stage and Pavilion in Adel. The event will feature food trucks, family activities, and music.
2. Poker Run: Scheduled for Saturday, August 2, this event involves a motorcycle ride through Dallas County, with food and live music. All street-legal vehicles are welcome.

Financial and Organizational Support

The operational success of the fund relies on a partnership with a local financial institution and contributions from the public. Support for the Caelen Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund can be provided through the following channels:

• Direct, tax-deductible donations can be made at any Lincoln Savings Bank location.
• Electronic donations are accepted via Venmo at the handle @cpscholarship.

Through these collaborative efforts, the Peterson family and the Adel community are transforming a personal tragedy into a sustainable initiative that actively contributes to global goals for health, education, and resilient communities.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s central theme is the tragic suicide of a 14-year-old, Caelen Peterson. The family’s response focuses on suicide prevention, raising awareness about mental health, and providing access to mental health services, all of which are core components of SDG 3.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The primary initiative discussed is the Caelen Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund, which aims to support students pursuing careers in the mental health field, those seeking GED certificates, and those entering trade schools. This directly relates to providing financial support for tertiary and vocational education. The underlying issue of bullying also connects to the need for safe and inclusive learning environments.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article states that Caelen’s parents believe he died after “experiencing bullying at school.” Bullying is a form of violence against children, and addressing it is essential for creating peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, as outlined in SDG 16.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The Peterson family is collaborating with friends, the local community, local mental health agencies, and businesses to raise funds and awareness. This multi-stakeholder partnership, involving civil society and public/private entities, is the essence of SDG 17.

Identified SDG Targets

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
  
  Explanation: The article directly addresses this target by focusing on suicide prevention. The family’s efforts to “spread awareness about suicide prevention and the importance of mental health services” are aimed at promoting mental well-being and preventing premature deaths like their son’s.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
  
  Explanation: The Caelen Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund is explicitly designed to support this target by providing a “$5,000 scholarship annually” for a student entering the mental health field. The future plan to also “support students obtaining their GED certificates and those going into trade school” further reinforces the commitment to accessible vocational and tertiary education.
• Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
  
  Explanation: The article links the suicide to bullying at school. This highlights a failure to provide a safe and non-violent learning environment, making Target 4.a highly relevant. The family’s awareness campaign implicitly advocates for safer schools where such tragedies can be prevented.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
  
  Explanation: Bullying is a form of psychological violence and abuse against a child. The article identifies bullying as the suspected cause of Caelen’s rash decision, directly connecting the story to the need to end all forms of violence against children.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
  
  Explanation: The entire initiative is a model of a civil society partnership. The Peterson family and friends created the foundation and are mobilizing the community through fundraising events. The article mentions that “Local mental health agencies will be on the scene at both events,” demonstrating a partnership between civil society and local service providers to achieve a common goal.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Official Indicator 3.4.2 (Suicide mortality rate): The article is a response to a death by suicide, and the stated goal of the fund is “suicide prevention.” The ultimate measure of success for such initiatives would be a reduction in the youth suicide rate.
• Implied Indicator (Number of people connected to mental health resources): The article states the foundation will “help direct them to the proper resources” and that mental health agencies will be present at events. An indicator of progress would be the number of individuals and families who are successfully connected with these mental health services through the foundation’s efforts.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Specific Indicator (Annual scholarship provision): The article provides a clear, measurable indicator: “a $5,000 scholarship annually to a graduate of Adel DeSoto Minburn High School who plans to go into the mental health field.”
• Specific Indicator (Number of students supported in vocational/trade school): The future plan to “support students obtaining their GED certificates and those going into trade school” provides another measurable indicator of the fund’s impact on education.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Implied Indicator (Prevalence of bullying): Since bullying is cited as a key factor, an implied indicator of progress would be a reduction in the prevalence of bullying within the school and community, which could be measured through surveys or official school reports.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Specific Indicator (Amount of funds raised): The article details multiple fundraising efforts (block party, poker run, direct donations to Lincoln Savings Bank and Venmo). The total amount of money donated to the “@cpscholarship” is a direct indicator of the community partnership’s success.
• Specific Indicator (Number and type of partnerships established): The collaboration with “Local mental health agencies,” community event participants, and local businesses (“Grems Pit Happens BBQ”) can be counted as a measure of the partnership’s reach and effectiveness.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.4: Promote mental health and well-being and reduce premature mortality.	Suicide mortality rate (Official Indicator 3.4.2). Number of people connected to mental health resources via the foundation.
SDG 4: Quality Education	4.3: Ensure equal access to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education. 4.a: Provide safe, non-violent and inclusive learning environments.	Provision of a $5,000 scholarship annually. Number of students supported for GED or trade school. Implied: Reduction in school bullying incidents.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.2: End abuse… and all forms of violence against… children.	Implied: Reduced prevalence of bullying among youth.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	Total funds raised for the scholarship fund. Number of partnerships formed with local agencies and businesses.

Source: kcci.com