Barron Collier Jr. Foundation awards $5,000 grant to David Lawrence Centers to support Veterans’ Services Programs

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider, has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Barron Collier Jr. Foundation to support its Veterans’ Services Program.

DLC’s Veterans’ Services Program provides compassionate, personalized care for individuals experiencing behavioral health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and co-occurring substance use challenges. Funds from the grant will be used to help veterans in need of inpatient, outpatient and community-based services receive clinical and psychiatric support, care navigation, case management, clinical supervision and other services. In fiscal year 2025, DLC cared for 215 veterans, providing 7,462 services to them.

“This investment from the Barron Collier Jr. Foundation strengthens our ability to serve veterans and their families with the care and resources they deserve,” said Kimberly Dye, vice president of advancement at DLC. “Through our Veterans’ Services Program, we work alongside families to help veterans thrive at home, in educational settings and in their careers. With this funding, we can reach more veterans in Collier County and provide the support they need for long-term success.”

Through case management services, veterans also receive peer-to-peer support and access to DLC’s Veteran Peer Access Network, an industry best practice that prioritizes hiring veterans as system navigators to connect other veterans in need to resources that will help.

“Supporting organizations such as David Lawrence Centers is part of our responsibility as a company with deep roots in Collier County,” said Blake Gable, CEO of Barron Collier Companies. “The Veterans’ Services Program provides critical support for those who have sacrificed so much for our country. We are honored to help ensure these services remain available to the men and women who have served.”

DLC continues to see a growing need for services to support veterans suffering from behavioral health issues, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and co-occurring substance use challenges that are common among combat veterans returning from deployment. Specialized case managers help veterans identify their goals related to medical, substance-use recovery, mental health, housing and more.

For more than 55 years, DLC has been committed to ensuring behavioral health care is available to everyone in need through education, prevention, intervention and treatment. DLC delivers care throughout the community through six distinct centers of operation, including mental health, addiction recovery, emergency services, awareness and prevention, virtual care, and children and young adults.

To learn more about the lifesaving and life-changing services and programs offered by David Lawrence Centers, visit DLCenters.org.

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions, available for children, adolescents, and adults. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, DLC serves 8,000 people through over 331,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, visit DLCenters.org or call 239-455-8500.

Barron Collier Companies is one of Florida’s largest diversified companies, dedicated to the responsible development, management, and stewardship of significant landholdings in Southwest Florida. Led by the Collier family for more than 100 years, the company’s enterprises span agriculture, land development, and mineral management.

Founded in the 1970s, the Barron Collier Jr. Foundation reflects the company’s enduring commitment to community investment. The Foundation supports education, children’s healthcare, environmental stewardship, and local charitable initiatives throughout Southwest Florida, honoring the legacy of Barron Gift Collier Jr. and strengthening the region for generations to come. For more information, visit www.barroncollier.com or call 239-262-2600.