Veterans Bowl-a-Thon benefits The Speak Hope Foundation

The Speak Hope Foundation hosted a Veterans’ Bowl-a-Thon to support its mission to provide affordable, evidence-based mental health services to underserved communities, including veteran populations. 

Supporters of the nonprofit organization gathered at Maple Lanes RVC in Rockville Centre for two hours of bowling, food and fun. The Speak Hope Foundation also honored three veterans for their service to the community at the event, including Leroy A. Barnes, Pat Beckles and Neil K. Jordan. 

“We were very pleased with the turnout, and we were very appreciative of the generous support from attendees and our event sponsors for our vital mission to make life-changing mental health services accessible to everyone in the community,” Dr. Nicola Beckles, a licensed clinical psychologist, certified school psychologist and chair of The Speak Hope Foundation, said in a written statement.

Based in Rockville Centre, The Speak Hope Foundation was founded in 2021 by Clinton Clovis, president of The New Hope Mental Health and Counseling Services and Don Sinkfield, vice president and director of administration for The New Hope. Clovis and Sinkfield started the foundation after noticing that many individuals in their community were unable to afford mental health care due to rising copayments, coinsurance payments and deductibles.  

The foundation consists of a diverse group of mental health clinicians, educators and other community-minded individuals and strives to promote improved mental well-being for all individuals and families through education, supportive services and advocacy.

Among the sponsors of the Veterans’ Bowl-A-Thon were The New Hope Mental Health Counseling Services, Promotus Business Consulting Services, Greenwood Mental Health Counseling Services, Marks of Excellence Child Care, A&C Pest Management, All Boro Inc., Law Offices of Andrew Cohen, Art-of-Form Architecture and Marketing Works.