Your Presence Is the Gift.

I have spent a lot of time thinking about what remains after someone is gone.

My mother died on May 31st at the age of 92. As I reflect on her beautiful life, I am reminded once again of the importance of small moments that bring joy, security, and love between a parent and child. Although she had ten children, I never once felt deprived of attention, nor did I feel smothered by it. I grew up in a family that valued independence and self reliance, yet always made room for laughter, games, conversation, and connection.

As we approach the second anniversary of Owen's death, I find myself grateful for those same kinds of moments. Amid the hustle of traveling to wrestling tournaments, college visits, and everyday life, Owen and I developed our own road trip traditions: a carefully curated playlist and a stop at the convenience store for a Diet Mountain Dew and a Slim Jim. We enjoyed real conversation—dreaming about the future, but also laughing about the past. Owen genuinely enjoyed hearing the funny stories of my childhood, but along with Izzy and Charlie, often insisted on calling Grammy to verify the truth. My mom always answered my call, assuring the kids, sometimes wink wink, “yes, your mother really did do that.” She wholeheartedly supported my theatrics that are often required when a parent has to keep things interesting.

Many of you know that The Goldfinch Foundation was founded a few months after Owen's death in honor of his life. Some people assume it was created because of his struggles. While those experiences shaped our journey, the deeper inspiration was the way in which Owen lived. He had an extraordinary ability to make people feel seen, valued, and heard. He understood something that is becoming increasingly rare in our distracted world: the gift of being fully present.

As Elie Wiesel once said, "The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference."

One of the most painful things to experience as a human is indifference- not insults, not hatred, but complete indifference. At Goldfinch, we spend a great deal of time talking about mental health, resilience, and wellbeing. Yet beneath all of those topics lies something even more fundamental: human connection. Have you ever made time to talk to someone who is staring at their phone the whole time?

Research consistently shows that social connection is not only a nice addition to a healthy life, but also one of the foundations of health itself. Strong relationships are associated with better mental health, greater resilience, and even longer life expectancy.

My mother did not need a scientific study to understand this concept. Neither did Owen. Both intuitively understood that we, as people, want to feel seen. We want to feel heard. We want to know we matter.

The relationships we build today become both the memories we cherish tomorrow and the support systems that sustain us through life's hardest seasons.

As summer progresses, I hope you'll join us in a simple challenge: create one meaningful moment each day. Call a friend. Take a walk with someone you love. Eat dinner without your phone. Sit on the porch a little longer while watching the sunset. Listen more than you talk.

The gift is your presence.

TEEN AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHT

Cole Morgan's Eagle Scout Project:
A Bird Feeder in Honor of Owen Willers

One of the things we admire most about Cole Morgan is his quiet commitment to serving others. As a member and chair of the GFF Hospitality Team, Cole helps create a welcoming environment for new members and guests at our events. This spring, he completed his Eagle Scout Project by building and installing a goldfinch bird feeder on the MBA campus in honor of Owen Willers and The Goldfinch Foundation.

Why did you choose the GFF and a bird feeder specifically for your Scout Project?

"I chose the GFF and a bird feeder for my Scout Project because I already wanted to make a bird feeder, and it only made sense to make one for goldfinches and dedicate it in honor of Owen. I also thought it would be a meaningful addition to the campus and the GFF community."

What have some of your favorite moments been this year with the GFF?

"Some of my favorite moments this year with the GFF have been Illumination, listening to all the artists perform, and the end of the year party swimming at the Willers' pool."

What do you hope your bird feeder project inspires others in the community to do?

"I hope my bird feeder project inspires others to look toward the GFF as a source of inspiration and community involvement. I also hope it adds to the beauty of the MBA campus while helping support the wildlife around it."

Thank you, Cole, for your leadership, service, and friendship. Like Owen, you have a special way of making people feel welcomed, included, and valued. We are grateful for all you do for the GFF community and congratulate you on earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

MEET OUR SUMMER INTERNS

MALAK TALIB

Hi GFF community! My name is Malak Talib, and I am so excited to be joining The Goldfinch Foundation as a summer intern.

I am a rising junior at Vanderbilt University studying Psychology and Anthropology. I grew up between Dubai and Alexandria, Egypt, and that upbringing has always shaped the way I see the world. The GFF's commitment to finding ways to flourish and build something meaningful within a community is something I hope to carry back home with me.

After spending the last few months working with the organization, I have watched this community grow firsthand and could not be more eager to see the continued impact and development the Goldfinch Foundation will bring. Outside of my studies, I am an avid reader and a self-proclaimed movie geek, and I love traveling, a good workout class, and hunting down the best coffee shops wherever I go.

I am so grateful to be part of this team and cannot wait to see what this summer brings!

AUDREY HENDERSHOT

Hi everyone! My name is Audrey Hendershot, and I am originally from Boulder, Colorado. I am a rising sophomore at Vanderbilt University studying Economics and Human & Organizational Development with a minor in Business, and I am so excited to be working with The Goldfinch Foundation this summer.

I really connect with its mission and the way it approaches mental wellness through connection, creativity, and hands-on activities. In the past, I have worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations, and my favorite part has always been getting to see the real impact they have on people’s lives. In the short time I have been with The Goldfinch Foundation, I have already seen how meaningful and unique its work is, and I am so excited to continue being a part of it.

Outside of school, I love being outdoors, playing volleyball, trying new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I am so grateful to be part of the Goldfinch team this summer and can’t wait to continue getting involved!

EMILE BROZAITYTE

Hi! My name is Emile Brozaityte, I am an international student from Vilnius, Lithuania, and I am very excited to be working with Goldfinch this summer.

I am a rising junior at Vanderbilt double majoring in Economics and History and minoring in Biology. I grew up in Vilnius, Lithuania and attended an international high school in Japan. Getting to live in different places and getting to know people from all over grew my interests in nature, building community, and interpersonal understanding. I am very excited to build on these interests and see some amazing plans come to life while a part of the Goldfinch Team this summer. I appreciate the approach that The GFF takes to some of the most complex issues of our time and I am very grateful to be able to contribute to this movement.

In my free time I love hiking and camping, wakeboarding, traveling and exploring new places and I have a goal to visit as many national parks as I can while in the U.S.

I'm very excited for this summer!

HOW FULL IS YOUR TANK?

Resilience doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through the everyday habits that help us stay healthy, connected, and grounded. The Goldfinch Foundation’s TANK Quiz is a quick and engaging way to discover how well you're filling your TANK through Tech, Activity, Nature, and Kinship. Based on your results, you'll receive personalized insights and simple ideas to help strengthen your wellbeing. The quiz is part of GFF's Fill Up the TANK framework, which focuses on building resilience before life's challenges arise.

Take the quiz and see where you're thriving—and where you might need a refill:

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!

Are you looking for a way to make a difference, build leadership skills, and connect with other motivated teens? Apply to become a GFF Teen Ambassador for the 2026–2027 school year! As a Teen Ambassador, you'll have opportunities to develop real-world leadership experience, contribute ideas that impact your community, participate in events and wellness initiatives, and build meaningful friendships along the way. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to get involved and make a positive impact.

Applications are due July 1. Learn more and apply here:

REMINDER: Support Heather's 350-Mile Run for Owen

Heather Krajl’s incredible 350-mile run in honor of Owen is underway, and there’s still time to support her mission. Every mile helps raise awareness and support for youth mental health while demonstrating the power of one person choosing to make a difference.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed. If you'd like to support Heather and The Goldfinch Foundation, please consider making a donation or sharing her story.

Lockton’s Grit & Grace

At Lockton’s Grit & Grace event in Houston, Dr. Liz Willers had the honor of speaking about The Goldfinch Foundation’s mission and the importance of mental wellness and connection. Her presentation explored how the Foundation’s message can be applied within the workplace, emphasizing that while grit and performance are often celebrated, it is equally important to recognize grace and the ability to prioritize ourselves, create boundaries, and make space for wellbeing. e Goldfinch Foundation welcomed its patrons for an intimate evening celebrating Nashville's emerging young artists and musicians, and reflecting on a year of meaningful impact.

Ceramic Souls

On Saturday, May 16, Ceramic Souls, in partnership with the Goldfinch Foundation and Nashville Psych, hosted a free open studio pottery event for the community. The event created a welcoming space where people could be creative, connect with others, and enjoy an afternoon together. At the Goldfinch Foundation, we believe creativity is more than self-expression. It is connection, healing, and community, and we are so grateful to everyone who attended and donated in support of our mission.