Sanford, ME – One of the reasons why Partners Bank is so in tune with the community is that we listen to the people who know the community the best: our employees. Every month, an employee is chosen to select a meaningful charity or organization to receive a $1,000 donation from Partners Bank. In March of 2024, the chosen employee was Alison Fitting, who selected the organization Yellow Tulip Project (YTP).

Yellow tulips are a sign of hope. When we’re struggling mentally or emotionally, hope feels incredibly unobtainable and asking for help can feel like the most challenging thing to do. Shame, guilt, fear – perhaps a mixture of all three – can engulf our bodies and cause us to recoil instead of reaching out. Based in Portland, ME, YTP is a non-profit organization on a mission to smash the stigma associated with mental illness and to remind people that there is help and hope for those living with mental illness.

Fitting said, “Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many young lives lost by suicide in my life, both close to me and within the community. YTP is trying to bring support to all those who have seen or felt the weight of the world bring someone down.”

With the help of her mother, Suzanne Fox, the founder Julia Hansen was inspired to create YTP after tragically losing her two best friends to suicide when she was in high school and was simultaneously dealing with her own depression.

Today, YTP has several programs to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. They offer Program Packages for Schools, photo exhibits that showcase what mental illness “looks like” in young men and women, mental health workshops, youth ambassador programs, hope gardens, and more.

“I chose the Yellow Tulip Project for the donation because my son is an ambassador at [his school]. He helped me select the recipient for this honor,” Fitting explained. “It’s so important to bring awareness to mental health at a young age, so kids can feel comfortable reaching out when they are struggling and know how to support their friends as well.”

Partners Bank is pleased to support an organization that promotes hope. The conversation around mental health should be never-ending as reaching out could save many lives. YTP continues that conversation, reassures struggling individuals that it’s fine to speak up, and shows them that they are not alone.

For more information on the Yellow Tulip Project (YTP), visit theyellowtulipproject.org.

About Partners Bank:

Partners Bank was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Sanford, Maine, with additional Maine branch locations in Springvale, South Sanford, Limerick, Buxton, Waterboro, Wells and York, as well as New Hampshire branch locations in Portsmouth, Rye, and Kingston. Partners Bank is a mutual savings bank that operates solely for the benefit of its deposit and loan customers and is focused on giving back to the communities where it serves. Deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Partners Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Housing Lender. For more information, please visit their eBranch at partners.bank, Facebook page at Facebook.com/PartnersBankOnline or call 1-888-226-5747.