We want to give a huge thank you to everyone who came out to support our mission this Saturday at LTP Daniel Island. With the help of all 102 tournament players, vendors, and passionate pickleball spectators, we raised over $2,500 to support our mental health peer support groups at both the College of Charleston and The Citadel. Thanks to everyone who donated, played, and supported our mission.

A special thank you to Let’s Play Pickleball and their amazing community leaders, Morgan Pugh, Hap Heimel and Robert Mitchell for co hosting this tournament with us.

Huge shout out to Charleston Custom Cabinetry for sponsoring this amazing event.

Auction

Due to the incredible support from our community, we are extending our online auction through June 14th.

If you haven’t had a chance to place a bid yet, there’s still time to support Quest and our mission of strengthening the mental fitness of students and young adults.

AUCTION

Join Quest

If you are interested in serving on our Board of Directors this coming year to help us continue growing our mental health programs for more college students, please email us: pratham@questinrecovery.org & luke@questinrecovery.org

We are currently looking to fill roles in Marketing, Operations, and Programs.

Tournament Recap

Photos

• hellosydneylynn - Click Here

• haleyphotoss - Click Here

• christa.clear.photography - Click Here

• thesireengallery - Click Here

Please be sure to tag and credit the photographer when sharing any photos on social media. We greatly appreciate their time and talent in capturing the event.

Donate or Learn More

Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

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This May we are walking to Bridge the Gap between mental health awareness and action. Check out some of last year’s highlights!

Did you know?

Almost half of adult Americans with any mental illness did not receive treatment in 2024 (SAMHSA 2025) and the most common reason reported for not seeking help: believing they should handle mental health struggles on their own.

One third of full time college students reported the presence of any mental illness in 2024; of those, only about one fourth received treatment.

How do you Bridge the Gap?

It all starts with one step: talking. And this is why we need you.

This May we are asking you to share your story over our month-long walk challenge. Sharing your story doesn’t just help raise awareness: you create the space for others to do the same.

May 1st two of our Quest Ambassadors, Miles Eriksen and Amanda Oberhaus, kickoff Bridge the Gap with a 5pm group Bridge Walk.

05/01 Sign up here!

How it Works:

• Pick a mileage goal to walk for the month

• Create a fundraising page to share your story with us and invite others to walk with you!

• Tag us on Instagram any video, photo, or answer to our weekly Quest Questions!

• Our top fundraiser for the month will win… 7 DAY STAY IN COSTA RICA!!!

Other ways to support:

Join our once a week virtual calls with our team of Bridge the Gap Ambassadors who will lead group discussions based on our weekly Quest Questions!

Share another walker’s story on your social media!

Host an event for Quest to create more spaces for young people to gather and support one another: email pratham@questinrecovery.org

Donate or Learn More

Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

Almost one week ago we gathered to lift each other up through music, community, and storytelling. Together, over 400 community members from Charleston came out to support one another. Most importantly, we honored the 70 lives lost to suicide in our county last year.

With the help of volunteers and vendors, performers and poets, Quest on Campus students and passionate community members, our combined voices created a symphony that sang out one simple reminder: you’re not alone.

When we share our struggle, we share strength. When we keep our battles inside, we all hurt. No one person can carry the weight of the world alone, and this is why we chose to create Quest.

Community creates the doorway for one person to ask for help. Because when one person asks for help, they become a light for others to do the same. And where two or more gather for strength, there is no struggle we can’t overcome, together.

So from the bottom of our broken open hearts, thank you for sharing your most precious life with us. To everyone who made it, supported, and to those no longer here your love is never lost.

LOVE IN LOSS

Honoring the 70 lives lost to suicide in Charleston County in 2025.

Mary Hannah Burwell, Photo Project Lead: This installation is a visual and emotional exploration of the love that remains after loss. Through a series of 70 portraits of local community members, we honor the lives lost to suicide in Charleston County last year. Each featured individual offers a message to someone they’ve lost, to someone who may be struggling, or to a version of themselves that needed support. Together, these images and words create a collective space for grief, remembrance, and connection–reminding us that even in the dark, we are not alone. This project invites viewers to slow down, bear witness, and reflect on the weight of what we carry, and the power of speaking it out loud.

Student Testimonies

Jaymason, Citadel Quest on Campus President: “I saw how much people are affected by mental health here in Charleston, and it was eye opening to see it talked about in such a different light, a light that I’ve never seen before. It’s important for me to raise mental health awareness because it’s not talked about enough at The Citadel, and it’s a really real issue that affects a lot of people.”

Mary, CofC Quest on Campus President: “Sound of Mind was such a beautiful experience because I was able to be vulnerable, sing, laugh, and even cry without any judgement. The event was not only a reminder of how many people struggle with mental health but also a reminder of how many people understand and care.”

Ryan Kennedy, Quest Marketing intern and project manager of 70 Photos of Love in Loss: “To me Sound of Mind was a chance to talk and be vulnerable with people in the community I don’t often see. I want to continue working with Quest because of all the opportunities it presents me with. From forming new meaningful friendships, to building onto my portfolio. I hope people take away how important community is. Getting involved in your community, in any way shape or form.”

Audrey, CofC Quest on Campus Marketing: “Events like Sound of Mind are a perfect springboard for growing mental fitness in our community. Open conversations about mental health do not usually happen this plainly. They are often softened or redirected before they can fully take shape. Here, they were allowed to exist as they were. As the night went on, I started noticing the feeling building between people in the space. There was a shared openness to it, a kind of collective energy that reminded me of collective effervescence—that feeling that emerges when people come together and become part of something larger than themselves. It made me think about how important friendship and community really are for mental fitness. There is a difference between being alone with your thoughts and being surrounded by people who make those thoughts feel less isolating. More than anything, I felt grateful. Grateful for Quest, for the people who showed up, and for the care that moved so naturally through the night. Sound of Mind did not answer all of my questions, but it changed the way I was holding them. I want to continue to work with Quest on Campus because it creates the kind of space people genuinely need. It does more than talk about mental health. It gives people something real to step into. What draws me back is the way community actually forms in these spaces. People show up, return, recognize each other, and start to feel a little less alone. That matters to me. Mental fitness is not built entirely on your own. It is strengthened through connection, consistency, and care. That is why this work feels important to me. I do not expect people to have left Sound of Mind with everything figured out. That’s not the point. What I hope they took away is the feeling that they are not alone. I hope they leave with a better understanding of how important friendship, community, and honest conversation can be for mental fitness. Spaces like this do not solve everything, but they interrupt isolation and make connection more possible. More than anything, I hope people leave feeling a little more grounded, a little more connected, and a little more open to coming back.”

The music, the energy, the moments, the conversations, none of it comes together without a community.

To the artists, the team, the volunteers, and everyone who gave their time, talent, and heart, thank you. You didn’t just perform, you created something people felt.

And to everyone who came out, thank you for being part of it.

For listening, for feeling, for being present.

We are grateful for every single one of you.

This is what community looks like.

Final Ask

We do have one final ask. We are close to our goal, but still about $12,000 short. If this mission resonates with you or anyone you who wants to support what we are building, we would be grateful if you shared it with them, and help us continues to make an impact in the community.

Donate Here

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

TICKETS

With that, we are honoring the 70 lives lost in Charleston County last year to suicide. Because at the core, many of those people just wanted to be heard.

Come be part of something meaningful.

Something you can feel proud of.

Something that helps us break the stigma around mental health and remind people they’re not alone.

Most importantly, come be part of this, because this is for you.

Convernation Lounge at Limbo The Refinery

The Conversation Lounge at Sound of Mind is a space where people can connect with therapists, life coaches, and health coaches.

Guests will have the chance to spend a few minutes with each professional, ask questions, and learn about the services and resources they offer. It’s meant to be a simple, welcoming place for open conversations and learning about different kinds of support.

1. Tara Wooten, LPC: owner of Grounded Counseling, LLC, has over a decade of experience in working in the mental health field. She strives to provide a compassionate, collaborative, and safe environment for individuals to receive evidence based treatments for anxiety, OCD and related disorders.

2. Wes Bishop: founded Mindful Men Coaching in 2025. As a Certified Professional Life Coach and Recovery Coach, he partners with young adults and men to help them understand where they are, envision where they want to be, and break through the barriers holding them back. Wes’ coaching blends practical wisdom, curiosity, accountability and compassion to help men discover genuine transformation from the inside out.

3. Dr Barron Short: is a Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he has served as Medical Director of the Brain Stimulation Service since 2010. A meditator for over 30 years, he co-founded Zendo the world's first bioelectronic headband backed by peer-reviewed research, designed to deepen meditative experience. Today, outside of his academic work, Baron is focused on bringing Zendo to wellness communities as a tool for mental fitness because meeting the challenges of our time starts with learning to cultivate our minds.

4. Jessa Frances: Jessa Frances De La Rosa is a shadow work coach, memoir writing guide, and clean label alcohol-free beverage consultant who sits at the intersection of storytelling, somatic healing, and conscious living. A trauma informed yoga teacher with 700+ hours of training, Air Force veteran, author and speaker she brings the full weight of a lived and examined life to everything she teaches. She is the founder of The Caim Circle, a holistic online community and Untoxicated, an alcohol-free beverage consultancy.

5. Lexi Sorbara: Lexi has experience working with diverse populations who face complex trauma for almost a decade. She has experience supporting folks in community mental health, private practice, school-based programs, behavioral health hospital settings and medical settings. She integrates somatic art therapy with trauma modalities EMDR and IFS to facilitate a reconnection to self and others after difficult life experiences.

6. Mimi Rose: is a yoga therapist and teacher who has been guiding others since 2006. Her journey began in the late 1990s as a martial artist, where she was drawn to practices rooted in discipline, strength, and deeper purpose. That search led her to yoga a path that continues to shape her life.

Big thank you to our sponsors

1. Parmar Accounting Service

2. James Island Yoga

3. Mex 1 Coastal Cantina

4. Basic Kitchen

5. Huriyali

6. Llewellyn Sinkler Inc

7. Poogan’s Hospitality Group

8. Objectivity Squared

9. Trey Harrell Law Office

10. Big Work Fitness Factory

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

Only 9 days left until Sound of Mind, a music concert to raise suicide awareness and honor those we have lost.

SOUND OF MIND - MARCH 29th - THE REFINERY - $30 GA

TICKETS

What is Sound of Mind?

Sound of Mind is Quest's flagship fundraiser and music event to share with the community our mental health nonprofit, student testimonies, and the inspiration we get when we gather to lift others up.

Conversation lounge at the Limbo

The Conversation Lounge at Sound of Mind is a space where people can connect with therapists, life coaches, and health coaches. Guests will have the chance to spend a few minutes with each professional, ask questions, and learn about the services and resources they offer. It’s meant to be a simple, welcoming place for open conversations and learning about different kinds of support.

Run of the show

4:00 PM – Doors Open

4:15 PM – Five Door Sedan

5:20 PM – Marcus Amaker

5:40 PM – Leffty

6:30 PM – River Whyless

8:00 PM – Show Ends

4:00 PM – Doors Open

About Quest

Quest mission is to strengthen the mental fitness of students and young adults through community, peer support, and recreational activities.

This event helps raise funds to support Quest on Campus programs at the College of Charleston and The Citadel, creating real spaces where students can be seen, heard, and supported.

Quote

Pratham Parmar: Sometimes the only thing we need to get back into life is community, music, and people who love us and we can talk to.

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

We are hosting a A special evening supporting Sound of Mind concert and student mental fitness.

VIP TICKETS

Why attend Quest’s VIP Sound of Mind VIP Auction?

We don’t know your connection to mental health, but we do that every student story, every opportunity to connect, every space and chance for us to gather in community can create ripple effects of change that can last a lifetime.

By joining our student leaders, select sound of mind artists, and our community for this specialty event, you create the opportunity for more students to strengthen their mental fitness by empowering the next generation of leaders.

Event highlights.

• A curated aperitivo menu of Baba’s favorites, paired with wine, beer and mocktails.

• Insight and a powerful conversation with Quest Founder (Luke Shirley) on why strengthening student mental fitness matters in our community now more than ever.

• Live Auction of Curated Local Goods & Experiences. Bid on hand selected products, services, and unique Charleston offerings, all supporting Quest’s mission to strengthen student mental fitness.

Event Timeline

Please arrive at Babas on Wentworth at 6 PM.

Location: 115 Wentworth St (free street parking available)

• 6:00 PM Event Start

• 6:20 PM Welcome from Quest Founder

• 6:40 PM Quest on Campus acknowledgment

• 7:00 PM Sound of Mind Artist feature

• 7:30 PM Auction

• 7:50 PM Closing remarks

• 8:00 PM Event End

Dress code: We kindly request that guest dress in semi formal attire.

What’s included in my ticket?

• A beautiful storytelling & music experience curated by Quest on Campus at CofC and The Citadel alongside Custom Vows by Casey

• A curated aperitivo menu of Baba’s favorites paired with wine, beer and mocktails

• A “thank you gift” from Quest on Campus and local florist, Lori DeNicola

What we strive for:

We believe our greatest resilience to adversity comes from forging community.

We strengthen the mental fitness of young adults by providing free group recreation, community building on college campuses, and service campaigns in the community to combat loneliness, suicide, and addiction.

Our Impact

In 2025 we were able to Impact more than 2500 people, and this was all made possible with the help of community and local supporters we were able to raise $123,000.00. With this help we were able to grow to expand our Quest on Campus mental health programing to The Citadel.

Our Vision

To cultivate a nationwide network of more than one million students, participating actively in our college campus mental health initiatives while extending acts of service beyond the confines of our campuses

Upcoming Events

March 5th at 5:30PM – Rooftop Yoga and Sound Healing Led by Zach Pritchett and William Brandt

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

March 29 we’re turning up the volume for something bigger than a concert.

Sound of Mind is Quest’s flagship music fest and fundraiser a night where live music, real student stories, and community come together to support mental fitness on campus and beyond. This year’s theme, Love & Loss, holds a simple truth: “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us” - Helen Keller

TICKETS

Join us at The Refinery with River Whyless, Five Door Sedan, Marcus Amaker, and Leffty for a night that’s equal parts powerful and unforgettable. Every ticket and donation helps Quest continue providing free mental fitness resources, peer support, and community programming for college students.

RUN OF SHOW

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Doors open

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Five Door Sedan

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | River Whyless

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Closing Remark

Upcoming Events

March 5th at 5:30PM – Rooftop Yoga and Sound Healing Led by Zach Pritchett and William Brandt

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

This weekend, students from our Quest on Campus at The Citadel took initiative in response to a recent student suicide. Walking in solidarity gives students the chance to gather in support: to share stories, resources, and insights, but most importantly, a chance to carry the unavoidable burdens of life together, never alone.

Suicide is one of the hardest of losses for a family, a friend, or anyone to comprehend. What we do know is isolation keeps those struggling in the dark. Isolation can be both the cause and result of despair; both the means and the end. And while we may never know what another person is going through, we do have the chance to share what we are going through. This is why Quest chooses to build communities through student-led peer support programs:

By showing up, sharing stories, sharing in life’s burdens, we get to be that person who can say, “I see you, I hear you, and I’m here for you.” If not us, who?

The sad truth is that suicide has become almost commonplace in modern society.

Just stop and think: How many headline articles, social media posts, and instances of suicide have you heard about in this last year alone?

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young adults. Current reports show that our county of Charleston had a total of 69 accounted for suicides in 2025. While we may not have the answers for those left in this tremendous wake of grief, we know how important it is to gather, to share, and to create more opportunities for those to feel less alone. If not us, who?

This is why we are gathering our community together for our second music event for mental health awareness, Sound of Mind. This year's theme of Love & Loss will allow students from Quest, community members, and artists from around the country to share on why this matters. If not us, who?

As of now, we are in dire need of your support. This week, we are looking to cover our three lower level sponsorships to get this event off the ground:

• $2,000.00 Marketing Sponsor: Covers Cost Of Marketing Promo

  • Includes:

    • 2 VIP Auction Spot

    • 20 GA TICKETS

• $3,000.00 VIP Auction Sponsor: Covers Cost of 03/22 VIP Auction

  • Includes:

    • 4 VIP DINNER SPOTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    • 25 GA TICKETS

    • Logo on event poster

    • Logo on event merch

    • Special mention in social media promo videos

• $5,000.00 Opener Sponsor: Cover Cost of Opening Band

  • Includes:

    • 6 VIP DINNER SPOTS

    • 25 GA TICKETS

    • Logo on event poster

    • Logo on event merch

    • Special mention in social media promo videos

    • Individual post on social media and newsletter

2026 Sound of Mind Full Sponsorship Deck

Can’t sponsor but still want to support?

• Click here for our Sound of Mind donation page to donate in honor of someone (include their full name to be mentioned in this year’s Live Artist feature.)

What’s new this year?

• If you’re a LPC, life coach, or counselor in the area who aligns with our mission, we invite you to join our Conversation Lounge to share your work and give live, in person support to those who attend this year’s event! Click here to learn more.

Last but certainly not least, a message of hope from one of our Citadel Quest on Campus student leaders, Cadet Laney

With Love and Admiration,

Luke Shirley

Quest Founder & Chairman

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

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Today is a day for remembrance; a look back into our nation’s history of race struggles and reform to center ourselves in today’s world of ongoing struggles and change.

On February 4th, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. preached a beautiful sermon titled, The Drum Major Instinct, recounting a Biblical narrative of James and John looking to Jesus for favoritism. The speech was given to his hometown congregation, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where just 20 years before he was officially ordained as a minister. At this point in his career, King had already delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, received a Nobel Peace Prize, and witnessed the passing of both the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. The church itself was a chrysalis for his moral ideals, formative youth and young adulthood years, and a bedrock for his family, faith, and fight for a more just society. Ironically, the speech he gave that day ends with King envisioning his funeral: “life’s final common denominator–that something that we call death.” The point is a salient one: of all the things to be recognized or respected for, all he asks is to be remembered as one who “tried to give his life serving others.”

Question: What more could any of us ask for from this one wild and precious life?

King highlights that the same instinct of the Drum Major beats in the heart of every man, woman, and human alike–no matter how differently our society may sort them. That same instinct–the Drum Major in us all–can drive one to a “tragic race prejudice” just as surely as it can drive another to humble servitude. As King so brilliantly put it, Jesus “reordered priorities,” to allow James and John to “Keep feeling the need to be important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be first in love.”

Question: How can I be first in love for this moment, on just this day?

It’s a beautiful lesson–to remain life’s humble servant–shared with us from the heart of a man who led a beautiful if troubled life of devotion and service. Are we not all capable of the same: both the “good” and the “evil;” the just as well as the unjust instinct; the need for being first, the need for being first in love. As King concludes the sermon–delivered, ironically, just two months before his assassination – he centers himself at the heart of his own Drum Major Instinct: “Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

Question: How will you decide to use your precious Drum Major Instinct?

We hope that today allows, if nothing else, a small window of time for you to reflect on this very important question. We want to reflect and thank three amazing people from our community who inspired the initial march of our very own Drum Major Instinct, and take time to recognize them for the amazing work they have done and continue to do in our community:

• Stephanie Harvey from MAD PARK

• Stephanie Dasher and Warrior Surf Foundation

• Justin Riccio of Awaken Church

Watch our first Quest produced film, The Gift of Recovery

Thank you all for your support and continued inspiration. Let us celebrate a healthy, happy, mentally fit MLK Jr. day, together.

With Love,

Quest Team

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Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

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With the end of the year upon us, we want to share with you where we’ve been, and with as much transparency and foresight as possible, where we hope to go.

2025 Highlights

MARCH - Music For Mental Health Awareness

• Inaugural Sound of Mind @ The Refinery

• Raised over $78K

• Over 20 community partners and sponsors

• Impact 700+ people

MAY - Mental Awareness Month

• Bridge the Gap a Walk for Mental Fitness Campaign

• Raised over $5K

• Impact 300+ people

SEPTEMBER - Recovery Awareness Month

• Row for Recovery Awareness @ The Citadel

  • Launch of Quest on Campus at The Citadel!

• Raised over $10k

• Impact 400+ people

• Founded Citadel Quest on Campus exec team

NOVEMBER - Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

• Men’s Mental Health Panel @ The Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity & Saint John

• Raised Over $10K

• Impact 500+ people

YEAR END - General Donation

- Raised over $20K

- Impact 500+ people

Total Raised more than $123K for 2025

Total Impact more than 2500 people in 2025

Why We Reflect

This time of year is a time for pause; stillness; silence: moments where we can reflect and draw energy inward in order to reach and expand outward. We take lessons from everything, but perhaps the hardest lesson for a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the mental fitness of others is knowing when to ease off, to sit back, to let go.

To quote John Heider’s The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age:

“The…[person] who knows when to listen, when to act, and when to withdraw can work effectively with nearly anyone…”

So, in honor of this wisdom, we want to ask YOU to give us feedback and ideas for areas of growth we can become more aware of for 2026.

Quest Feedback Survey

And so we hope you too are able to use this time to sit, to listen, to act, and perhaps even withdraw inward when necessary. Your light is needed to shine bright, but as local Poet Laureate, Marcus Amaker writes in “Give Yourself Some Flowers:”

-

Treat your body
like a well-rounded planet
built for all seasons,

or pretend you are
an adaptable star:

Float in the black
and stay there
if you need to,

save some light
for yourself.

In other words,
rest like the sun does:

Schedule some time
to stay out of sight
when too many people
praise warm energy.

-

We Are Hiring

Quest is looking for a part time Marketing Director to grow our reach this year to our third college, SCAD, and to lead a student media team to share all things Quest from students themselves. Interested?

Apply or share our job listing here.

What We Are Raising Money For?

As this year ends, we’re excited to launch into a new year filled with big goals and aspirations. Our flagship fundraiser and music event, Sound of Mind, will be back at The Refinery to sound more student testimonies, community resources, and the healing practices of music and poetry from the stage.

2025 Sound of Mind Recap Video

Want to help us out?

Donate or Sponsor

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

The Holidays are here, anticipation is rising, and so too may be your levels of stress!

Why are times of year that we designate for rest, family, and tradition often among the most stressful? 

A study conducted in 2015 by the consumer health information company, Healthline, found 62% of their respondents reported their stress levels to be “very or somewhat” elevated during the holiday season (compared to just 10% reporting no stress at all.) Factors such as travel, financial demands, family dynamics and shifts in routine are clearly at play, but what does our mental fitness have to do with all of this?

Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute professor of psychology at Massachusetts General Hospital, refers to reading our minds for life-stressors as “shifting set.” This type of cognitive flexibility (mental fitness, if you will) calls for “updating or shifting cognitive strategies to respond to the changes in our environment.” The holidays happen to be a time of rapid and unpredictable change, both in terms of our inner and outer environment. How we navigate these transitions, no matter how challenging they may be, depends on our ability to remain cognizant of our own emotions. Luckily for us, there are simple tools and tips we can tap into in order to better navigate the holiday trials and tribulations of shifting set.

According to to Harvard professor and chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, J. Stuart Ablon, these times of challenging transitions are best navigated when we do five simple things:

1. Prepare

2. Allow extra time

3. Break things down

4. Make new routines

5. Provide a sense of control

This looks different for everyone, but the key takeaway for Ablon is that “they are all best accomplished by listening and engaging collaboratively,” a point that reminds us why communities like Quest on Campus provide students the needed tools, space, and support to handle things both on and off campus. The little practices matter and matter most during difficult times of shift and transition.

Another great reminder comes from one of our community partners and beloved yoga teacher and owner of James Island Yoga, Tymi Bender. As she often says in class, “The art of yoga is in the transitions.” Simple, daily practices such as yoga allow us the space to prepare for life stressors off the mat. “If the past decade taught me anything,” Tymi elaborates, “it is this: life, like yoga, is not defined by the poses we land in–it is shaped by how we move from one moment to the next. Transitions are where we wobble, we breathe, where we learn, and where we grow.” This comes as a welcome reminder entering what could be a difficult season for some. But these seasons of significant transitions are also, according to Tymi, “the secret to staying young–not simply in the body, but in the mind.”

And so we hope it is for you–our beloved Quest supporter, follower, friend, fellow community member. Stay young in the mind; embrace the wobbles; welcome the unwelcomed stress; breathe to create space in times that feel anything but spacious. It’s all for something, and perhaps that something is just preparation for our next pose, our next chapter in life, our next big adventure or that next big disaster. What it is doesn’t matter; how we choose to navigate through the transition does.

But don’t you worry, our Questsmas Auction is here! Not all Holiday gifts have to be so stressful to buy or receive. In fact, often the best gifts are the ones that keep on giving, and Quest has you covered there:

Auction Items:

1. $200 Big Works Fitness Gift Card

2. 18 Holes of Golf for 4 Players at Turtle Point, Kiawah

3. 2 Counseling Sessions w/ Megan Cannon Counseling

4. 45 Minute RAPID Neurofascial Reset with Scott Dawson Bodywork

5. 8 Sessions Personal Training Sessions at Ethos Athletic Club

6. Kathie Coaches - Life Coaching Care Package

7. 1 Year Membership of Primary Care Services at Access Healthcare

8. Poogans Hospitality CHS Music Hall/Farm: Dinner + Show for Two

9. Private Cooking Class for Two with Chef and Owner of Cramer’s Kitchen

10. 3 Months Unlimited Yoga at James Island Yoga w/ Manduka Mat

11. 2025 Individual Tax Return Preparation

Lastly, we hope this Holiday season fills your heart with gratitude for all that this year has brought into your life. The good, the bad, the difficult, the delightful, all for something. We hope our Quest can continue to create spaces for more young adults to feel safe, seen, and supported on and off campus by their peers, but we couldn’t do it without your continued support. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you and happy (if somewhat stressful!) holidays!

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

Today is a day to express our gratitude for all of the nonprofit organizations who give back to our community. For Quest, we could not do the work of building peer-support programs for college students without the support, inspiration, and collaboration with so many other amazing organizations in our area. Here are just a few we have partnered with to offer support, service opportunities, and continued connection to our community of young adults:

1. Warrior Surf Foundation

2. One80 Place

3. The Green Heart Project

4. My Sister’s House

5. Ben’s Friends

6. Givebutter

Giving is just as important as gaining in life, despite all the evidence to the contrary found in our consumer culture. Just reflect on some of your most fond memories: are they moments when you earned or took something from others, or moments where you found yourself contributing, or elevating someone or something else important to you? Why does giving–and not just in terms of fiscal support–feel good? Perhaps it’s because it does good, and good for the greater good at its best. Adam Grant–who we are extremely grateful for his past two years of book donations to Quest on Campus–examines the importance of giving in his book, Givers vs. Takers. As Grant reminds us of the good to be found in our work:

“You never know where somebody’s going to end up. It’s not just about building your reputation; it really is about being there for other people.”

What a simple reminder: be there for other people. Giving looks different for everybody, but at the end of the day, sometimes the best we can do is show up. Others really don’t need you to solve their problems, but your presence, your support, you being there matters. We all want the ability, the freedom, and the autonomy to solve problems ourselves; and we often do this best in communities where others aren’t afraid to show up to ask for help. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of humility, and it’s an opportunity given to others so that they can be on the giver’s side of the equation. Through compassionate communities of care, we realize giving allows the whole to be greater than the sum of our parts. And what a gift that can be.

Related News

In a recent article published in the Wall Street Journal by psychologist Jamil Zaki and postdoc Rui Pei, it turns out we’re quite bad at judging the kindness of others around us. The result is what is called an “empathy perception gap,” and its repercussions could be what creates more isolation among young adults. According to the Zaki and Pei,

“In 2023, 19% of young adults reported having no one they could count on, compared to less than 14% in 2006. When explaining this trend, it’s tempting to turn to stereotypes: phone-addled, self-obsessed kids these days have forgotten how to connect. “

Instead of labeling these students with all the various Gen-z stereotypes, they decided to ask students what they thought of this and their peers, and what they found was encouraging: “Undergraduates were near the top of the scale in empathy. Ninety-five percent said they would help peers who were feeling down, and nearly 90% wanted to befriend students they didn’t know.” Concluding that, perhaps not all that unlike the rest of the population, “Students vastly underestimated how empathetic, kind and friendly their average peer was.”

What happens when we don’t express our needs, how we feel, or even the simple, subtle acts of acknowledgement such as a “good morning” and a smile? We create--and perhaps add to our own--empathy perception gap. And in a world that is in dire need of more empathy, more connection, and more kindness, the answer could be “to first give them a chance to see others’ empathy and care” through daily acts of kindness. Truly, no act of kindness is unnoticed or too small. Students like our Quest on Campus president, Mary O. at CofC, constantly remind us of this message:

Mary O. Quest on Campus President at CofC: “I think that a really cool part of giving is how we don’t always see its effect, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. So many people have come up to me while tabling or at an event to express gratitude or share their story, but there are still others out there who we don’t realize we’ve helped.”

12 Days of Questmas Auction

Given the giving spirit of this generous Tuesday, we want to give YOU the chance to give back to Quest by paying forward a gift to someone else. Our 12 Days of Questmas Christmas Auction is live for the next two weeks so that you can give someone a very special holiday gift from businesses here in our amazing community. Don’t wait to bid–some of these items will go quick!

Thank you for giving us your time, your support, and your inspiration. Keep giving!

Upcoming Events

Dec 6 – Quest x Mindzero - Sauna & Cold Plunge Promo Code: Quest108
Dec 7 – Quest - ECHOES OF THE EARTH

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

As we wrap up our Men’s Mental Health awareness month, we want to take a moment to reflect on some quotes, share testimonies, and pose some important questions we found ourselves asking. By simply asking the question, “Why does men’s mental health matter to you?” our students opened up the space for amazing conversations, stories, and memories to be shared. Each and every person reminded us of our why as an organization. Here are some of our meaningful moments from the month (thank you to everyone who shared:)

Every minute, somewhere in the world, a man takes his own life, and that is 60 men per hour. That’s one men every 60 seconds.

Someone once told someone that personal growth can be measured by the number of difficult conversations you’re willing to have. Perhaps nothing could be more difficult, yet more important to talk about than suicide when someone, or yourself, is deeply struggling. Yet, every 60 seconds a man and far to often just a kid dies by suicide. These conversations are tough, but nothing compared to the pain of losing a friend, a brother, a child, or a father. The pain does not compare, but we have a choice. We can choose to start the difficult conversations. We can choose to be the example for others. It’s a choice.

Question: Why are we afraid to talk about suicide with each other?

Every time students and members of our community gather we are reminded of the importance of creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported; to talk openly and honestly about our vulnerabilities from a place of humility where true strength lies. When we talk about suicide, especially with someone we suspect is struggling with suicidal ideation, we often fear our speaking it will create the worst case scenario. But as licensed professional counselor, Ward Lassoe reminded us at our men’s mental health panel, nothing could be further from the truth:

“By asking someone directly whether they’ve thought about killing themselves, you give them permission to discuss a difficult topic in a forthright manner. If your question is off-base, they’ll let you know. But if they have had suicidal thoughts, a direct question can open the door for a meaningful and frank conversation. By raising the topic in a clear and compassionate way, you also help reduce the shame and isolation that often accompany, suicidal ideation.”

Events like these remind us that the words we use matter. What we speak, our words, carry an almost mythical, mysterious quality to them (hence the word spelling!) James Baldwin was an activist and writer who had a beautiful way of digesting the pain of the world into mythic-like words to speak truth to power. His writing reminds us that any large scale social, psychological, or moral change starts with that seismic shift from deep within. Psychological transformation (the word psyche comes from the Greek word for ‘breath,’ ‘life,’ or ‘soul’) was something Baldwin concerned himself with on both a personal and societal level, knowing full well that “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

And so it is with suicide: we must face the challenge; we must have the hard conversations and not be afraid to face our fear of speaking about it, because not talking about it could mean another life lost, every 60 seconds.

Question: What is a difficult conversation you have been unwilling to have with someone (or yourself?)  

Learning to listen to people’s stories--their truth--is a skill we have to cultivate. As Paul Tillich wrote, “The first duty of love is to listen.” Nothing feels better when you are struggling with the weight of the world than someone who can sit, open space, and deeply listen to your concerns. To do this, we must first meet our own selves with an open mind and open heart. We must learn to settle our busy mind so that our attention and intention can align. When we allow this space for ourselves, we can then give others the gift of our attention, but only when we are first intentional about being present. It’s a practice. It’s a gift to be present for each other, and one not easily earned. We have to remind ourselves as Hemingway did:

“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”

Question: How can I practice becoming a better listener? 

Savannah Emmerich - Secretary, Quest: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the mental health support Quest extends to college students. The dedication to promoting well being, providing accessible resources, and fostering resilience is invaluable. Thank you for the positive difference Quest continues to make."

Today, like all days, is a gift. It is a day to express our gratitude for life in all its tragic beauty. It’s a day that reminds us the simple things in life are worth our devotion, and that all devotion begins with our noticing. Seeing. Hearing. Listening.

As Annie Dillard wrote in her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, “The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”

What a necessary and vital task that is: to simply try to be there. For ourselves and others; for the good and the difficult; for the love and the loss. Life will deliver great joy as surely as it will great grief. As Chris Singleton said, “The closest we’ll get to Hell is here on Earth.” And if this holds true, perhaps the pain we endure merely leads us to an inexhaustible source of peace. So we go on stumbling like rolling stones slowly rounding themselves out the more they fall through life until, one distant day, they find themselves simple grains of sand–infinitley distinct, yet integrally part of the whole–one and the same. Perhaps pain is life’s permission for us to let go; our chance to free ourselves from ourselves to experience serenity: a deep sense of belonging; mere grains of sand. And if that is so, we suspect gratitude is one of our great instruments for us to sing and be sung into harmony. And so, we want to thank you for all of your support, time, and devotion to our Quest.

Question: How can I express gratitude in simple, unforgotten ways? How can I return home to myself?

Men’s Mental Health Speaker Event

We are deeply grateful for everyone who helped make this event possible. A special thank you to David Yarborough for donating $5,000 and David Albenberg for donating $1,000 toward this important cause.

We were honored to welcome Chris Singleton as our motivational speaker, and we’re thankful to Rev. David Dubay and the St. John-Holy Trinity Church community for hosting the panel and opening their space to us. And a big appreciation to Ward Lassoe for sharing his insight and expertise during the discussion.

Pictures from the speaker event

Video from speaker event

Community Event Highlight

• Financial Wellness Workshop led by Pratham Parmar & Savannah Emmrich.

• No Shave ROWvember w/ Holy City CrossFit with Miles Eriksen, Joe Richardson, Mike Stark.

• Quest x Sweat Sanctuary Pilates Class, with Franny Redake, Mary Anna Stisherm, and Sierrah Chapman.

  ---

Upcoming Events

Dec 6 – Quest x Mindzero - Sauna & Cold Plunge Promo Code: Quest108
Dec 7 – Quest - ECHOES OF THE EARTH

Donate or Learn More
Your contribution helps us continue to create spaces where young adults feel safe, seen and supported alongside peers

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

Join Quest and the community of St. John-Holy Trinity Anglican Church for an meaningful discussion centered on men’s mental health.

We’re honored to welcome Chris Singleton, a nationally recognized motivational speaker, who will share his story. Despite all the hardship he has faced, he continues to motivate others by showing what it looks like to move forward with courage and clarity after deep loss.

After Chris’s talk, Luke Shirley, Chairman of Quest, and Rev. David Dubay will lead a panel discussion to explore why men’s mental health matters, how grief impacts all of us, and what we can each do to build a more connected and supportive community.

Panel Speakers:
• Chris Singleton – Motivational Speaker
• Rev. David Dubay – St. John-Holy Trinity Anglican Church
• Ward Lassoe – Licensed Therapist, Ward Lassoe Counseling

Location: 18 Hanover St, Charleston, SC 29403 - St. John-Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Time & Date: 11/24/25 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

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Opportunity To Help Quest With This Event.

Your support helps people struggling with mental health feel safe enough to open up and begin healing. If you feel called to donate, these options will help us continue our work in the community.

Main Event Sponsor - 5,000

• Fully funds the event and allows Quest to offer this important mental-health program at no cost to students and the community.

Speaker Sponsor - 2,500

• Supports bringing Chris Singleton to speak and share his powerful message of hope, healing, and resilience.

Venue Sponsor - 1,000

• Helps cover the cost of hosting the event so our community can come together in a safe, supportive space.

November Events

Nov 20 – Quest x Sweat Sanctuary (Men’s Only), 7:30 PM

Donate to Quest
Your contribution helps us create safe spaces, raise awareness, and support young adults on their healing journey.

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

This November, we’re uniting to raise awareness for men’s mental health, by letting our beards grow, showing up for one another, and moving together in community.

Every hour, 60 men lose their lives to suicide around the world.

Men are often the silent sufferers, so this month we’re giving them the spaces to share, be seen, and feel supported through community, conversations, and movement.

Sharing Story

Help us put an end to the stigma, shame and isolation by sharing a 10-30s video tagging @questinrecovery on instagram answering the question

“Why does men’s mental health matter to you?”

We are also raising $5,000 to support programs that build mental fitness and community for young adults across Charleston.

Your donations help us make mental fitness easy access to everyone.

Donate

Message from Students

Earlier today, we were tabling at the Cougar Mall and had the opportunity to meet two incredible students who shared their stories with us. Both had experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide.

Event: No Shave “Rowvember” w/ Holy City CrossFit

We’re teaming up with Holy City CrossFit for a morning of movement, connection, and awareness.

Sign Up

Event Flow:

• Welcome & introduction

• Talk on Movember and why it matters

• 20-minute partner row

• Cool-down & group reflection

• Awards & community time

  Prizes:
  • 1st Place – Holy City CrossFit Trophy
  • 2nd & 3rd – Quest Gear

Why This Matters

• 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. will experience a mental health challenge this year

• 4 out of 5 suicides are men

• Every day, 90 American men die by suicide

• Every minute, somewhere in the world, a man takes his own life

Let’s show up for the men in our lives, our friends, brothers, dads, and teammates, and for those who don’t yet know how to ask for help.

November Events

Nov 5 – Financial Wellness Workshop @ Swain Boating Center, 5 PM
Nov 8 – Quest x East Bay Boxing Club @ East Bay Boxing, 4 PM
Nov 12 – Financial Wellness Workshop @ Beatty Center (Room 216), 6 PM
Nov 15 – No Shave “ROWvember” w/ Holy City CrossFit, 10:30 AM
Nov 20 – Quest x Sweat Sanctuary (Men’s Only), 7:30 PM

Donate to Quest
Your contribution helps us create safe spaces, raise awareness, and support young adults on their healing journey.

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

This past weekend, the Folly Beach County Park came alive for our annual Super Scary SUP Race, bringing together 51 amazing people and 21 paddlers for a morning filled with movement, laughter, and connection.

We also want to acknowledge that our 2025 Row for Recovery & SUPER SCARY SUP RACE campaign has reached $7,182 in donation so far, with a goal of $15,000. Donations will remain open until October 31 to help us continue building programs that support mental fitness and community connection.

Race & Costume Winners

• Men’s Elite: Austin Winkler

• Women’s Elite: Liz Doherty

• Men’s Novice: AJ Paolino

• Women’s Novice: Mary Obreiter

• Men’s SUP Surf: Max Connetta

• Women’s SUP Surf: Gina Brown

• Costume Contest: Hayden Hartley

Sponsors:

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our wonderful sponsors:

• Charleston SUP Safaris

• Dead Low Cafe

• Parmar Accounting Service

• Eric Farr

• Beth Mevers

• Harvest Cafe

• Lew Sinkler

Your generosity and support help us continue spreading awareness, building connection, and showing that healing happens when we move together.

Shoutout to our volunteers:

• Grace Jett

• Isaac Waters

• AJ Anostopoulo

• Ryan Kennedy

• Liv Shumbres

• Bridget Brickley

• Audrey Rosen

• Quinn Sullivan

• Nicole Chapman

• Matthew & Sam Herceg

Auction Items:

The auction’s still live until Friday, October 31, at noon, so there’s still time to grab something great.

• Bishop Board and Paddle (Manta SUP) - Bid starts at $500.00

• Gnarmaste Personal Training Gift Certificate - Current Bid $75.00

• Private Dinner or Cooking Class at Cramer’s Kitchen - Current Bid $110.00

• $200 Big Works Fitness Gift Card - Bid starts at $80.00

• 2 Counseling Sessions w/ Megan Cannon Counseling - Bid starts at $50.00

• 2025 Individual Tax Return Preparation - Current Bid $500.00

• 3 Night Stay - 2 Bed/1 Bath Folly Beach Apt - Current Bid $220.00

• 4 Bed/3 Bath Folly Beach Rental - Current Bid $900.00

• Anhinga Bird Photo by Bella Natale - Bid starts at $30.00

• Folly Tiki Boat Tour for Two - Bid starts at $60.00

• Kathie Coaches - Life Coaching Care Package - Bid starts at $75.00

• One Free Week of Yoga at The Flow Co - Bid starts at $30.00

• SUP Safaris Folly River 2hr paddleboard rental - Bid starts At $55.00

• Surf & Training Session w/ Charleston Surf Company - Bid starts At $60.00

• Watch Hills Wave Photo by Bella Natale - Bid starts at $30.00

Photos from Isaac Waters, Sam Herceg, Ryan Kennedy for social purposes. Thank you all again so much for your support, time, and dedicated effort!

Upcoming Events Summary

October 29, 7:00 PM - Stingrays Game for College Night

November 8, 5:00 PM - Quest x Eastbay Boxing Club, Boxing Training Day

November 20, 7:30 PM - Men’s Mental Health Month Pilates Class at Sweat Sanctuary (Mens Only) Palitia Class

Donate to Quest
Your contribution helps us create safe spaces, raise awareness, and support young adults on their healing journey.

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

Huge thanks to Dawn Lohr for opening her heart and sharing her story with us in honor of her son, Jon.

“Mental health is the silent killer that we don’t talk about.” What we’ve learned from all of our amazing storytellers is that talking is the first step towards any type of recovery. Pain, like our stories, can be that invisible thread that weaves through the heart of every individual, drawing us closer together, allowing our wounds to let light, love, and healing in. It was such an honor to have Dawn Lohr share with our group in memory of her son, Jon Lohr, who lost his battle to suicide. Dawn reminds us that pain has to find a way through, as does sorrow, joy, grief, and love. We have to transfigure the horrors of the heart into good for others and when we do, somehow, life opens up to us again and unfolds us in only more love. To Dawn and Jon, thank you for sharing your light and love with us.

To learn more about his and her journey, Dawn’s book, Love Beyond: A Mother’s Heart, a Son’s Courageous Battle, is out on Amazon.

Upcoming Events Summary

October 22 - Ruck for Soldier Suicide Awareness Walk W/ The Citadel College.

October 25 - SUPER SCARY SUP RACE at Folly Beach County Park 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

October 29 - Stingrays Game for College Night 7:00 PM.

Donate to Quest
Your contribution helps us create safe spaces, raise awareness, and support young adults on their healing journey.

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

SUPER SCARY SUP RACE - OCTOBER 25

SIGN UP & LEARN MORE

Quest is joining Charleston SUP Safari as they bring back Super Scary Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) race for mental health awareness!.

This Halloween themed event will bring together paddlers, community members, and local businesses to celebrate mental fitness and unity. Whether you’re racing, volunteering, or sponsoring, you’re helping build a stronger and more supportive Charleston.

SUPER SCARY SUP RACE - Auction Items

Bid on amazing local gifts and experiences all donated by generous partners to support Quest’s mission of mental health awareness and community connection.

1. $150 Gnarmaste Personal Training Gift Certificate

2. $200 Big Works Fitness Gift Card

3. 2025 Individual Tax Return Preparation ($1,375)

4. Anhinga Bird Photo by Bella Natale

5. Kathie Coaches - Life Coaching Care Package ($425)

6. Surf & Training Session w/ Charleston Surf Company ($225)

7. Two Tickets to Boogieman Halloween Music Festival ($110)

8. Watch Hills Wave Photo by Bella Natale ($60)

9. One Free Week of Yoga at The Flow Co ($30)

💬 FAQs:
❓ Do I need my own board?

• Nope! We’ve got rentals available.
  
  ❓ Do I need to dress up?

• No—but yes if you want to win the Scary Costume Contest! 🧛‍♀️
  
  ❓ Do I need to be an experienced paddler?

• Not at all! We’ve got both a serious race and a super chill division.

October Events Summary

October 8 - Quest x MINDZERO Sauna & Cold Plunge for free. 4:00 PM Promo Code Quest108.

October 10 - World Mental Health Day at Deadlow Cafe 7:00 AM

October 11 - Crossfit Day at Holy City Crossfit 10:30 AM. Free Crossfit Class.

October 11 - Quest for Yoga at James Island Yoga 4:30 PM Free Yoga Class.

October 22 - Ruck for Soldier Suicide Awareness Walk W/ The Citadel College.

October 25 - SUPER SCARY SUP RACE at Folly Beach County Park 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

October 29 - Stingrays Game for College Night 7:00 PM.

October reminds us that healing happens in community, through small acts of kindness, shared conversations, and the courage to keep showing up for ourselves and for others.

Every event this month is a step toward a stronger, more connected Charleston.
Thank you for being part of this movement and for believing in Quest’s mission to make mental fitness accessible to all.

With appreciation,
The Quest Team

Donate to Quest
Your contribution helps us create safe spaces, raise awareness, and support young adults on their healing journey.

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

It’s here, the final day of Row for Recovery.

Over the past 30 days, our community has shown what it means to come together for something bigger than ourselves. From sunset paddles to campus conversations, we’ve seen courage, compassion, and connection in action.

Hearing people open up reminded us that we’re all connected — that our stories, struggles, and healing are shared.

More than 180 people have joined us on the water, including over 80 students from The Citadel and College of Charleston. Together, we’ve built momentum, awareness, and a powerful sense of belonging.

“When we share our suffering, it becomes lighter. When we listen to another’s suffering, we help them make peace with it.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh

And here’s where we stand:
$4,127 raised toward our $15,000 goal.

Donate to Quest

Every dollar, every share, and every act of support helps ensure that no student or young adult feels alone in their journey.

Your support fuels:

• Student-led peer groups at the College of Charleston and The Citadel, where students open up honest conversations about mental fitness.

• Free community programs like yoga, paddleboarding, and breathwork that bring people together in healthy, grounded ways.

• Recovery-centered events that break stigma and give people the courage to speak, listen, and heal together.

This is our moment to finish strong. Whether it’s $10, $50, or $100, your donation today helps close the gap and ensures Quest can continue creating spaces where hope grows and healing begins.

The campaign will stay open through October — so if you’d like to give or share, there’s still time to be part of this movement.

This past Saturday, Quest on Campus at The Citadel shared our mission of mental fitness with cadets and families during Parent Weekend. Thanks to our advisor Major Emmrich’s paddleboard donation, we raised over $600 to support the launch of our student group.

A special thank-you to raffle winner Robert Stine for paying it forward to Citadel student Ryan Mollison, and to everyone who’s supported Row for Recovery.

We also dedicate this effort to David Maybank Warder and his family, who remain in our hearts.

Sneak Peek: To celebrate the close of Row for Recovery, join us for the Super Scary SUP Race on October 25, 8 AM – 12 PM at Folly Beach.

With appreciation,
The Quest Team

Donate to Quest
Your contribution helps us create safe spaces, raise awareness, and support young adults on their healing journey.

Follow Us: Instagram, Linkedin, Youtube, and Facebook.

We’re almost there. After 23 days of rowing, paddling, and raising our voices, we are down to the final 7 days of Row for Recovery.

This campaign has reminded us of the beauty to be found in any type of recovery journey, the gift of storytelling, and the importance of involving ourselves in compassionate communities of care. Recreational group activities like paddleboarding allow us to lighten up and loosen up so that we may learn to live it up. And while the little moments shared might not seem like much in the moment, the smallest acts of compassion can cast ripples of impact in the life of someone paddling upstream.

So far, 112 people have come out to paddle with us, including 25 students from The Citadel who joined to show their support. Each paddle stroke and every shared story has helped create momentum and awareness in our community.

And here’s where we stand: $4,012 raised toward our $15,000 goal. We’re grateful for every dollar, every share, and every story, but we still need a big push to make these last 7 days count.

Your support fuels real change:

• On campus peer support groups at College of Charleston and The Citadel where students lead the conversation on mental fitness.

• Free Community programs like yoga, paddleboarding, and breathwork that give people safe ways to connect.

• Recovery-centered events where voices can be heard without judgment or stigma.

This is our chance to finish strong. Whether it’s $10, $50, or $100, your donation helps close the gap and ensures that Quest keeps building safe spaces for young adults and our community.

• Already donated? Thank you — your belief keeps us moving. Please share the campaign with one more friend.

• Haven’t donated yet? This is the moment. 7 days left. Let’s do this together.

• Big thanks to Major Emmrich, our Quest on Campus advisor at The Citadel, for creating such an incredible opportunity to collaborate with their students.

The finish line is in sight. Let’s row forward with gratitude, courage, and determination — for each other, for our students, and for everyone still searching for hope.

With appreciation,
The Quest in Recovery Team

Donate to Quest In Recovery
Your contribution helps us create safe spaces, raise awareness, and support young adults on their healing journey.

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