When we talk about healing, we’re not just talking about individual journeys—we’re talking about the power of a collective will to care, to listen, and to grow. At the Matthew Perry Foundation, we believe that real change happens together—in community centers, in classrooms, across kitchen tables, and inside support groups that remind us we are never alone.
This April, we were lifted up by some incredible moments of connection—of learning, convening, and building for the future—because recovery isn’t just a possibility. It’s a promise we keep together.
The Grassroots Grantee Convening: Building a Family of Care
We welcomed our inspiring inaugural group of Grassroots Grantees from across California to our first Grantee Convening. This was more than an event—it was a homecoming of sorts. A room full of courageous hearts and changemakers, all gathered to share, reflect, and strategize for the future.
As Lisa Kasteler-Calio said in her opening remarks:
We listened, we learned, and we left stronger together. These organizations are not just recipients of grants. They are teachers, innovators, and show us what it looks like to serve with dignity and resilience. We left with a deeper understanding that healing happens in connection, that recovery is rooted in belonging, and that dignity must be the foundation of any system that hopes to serve.
These organizations are not simply recipients of grants. They are teachers, innovators, and everyday revolutionaries. They show us what it looks like to lead with compassion, to break down stigma with every interaction, and to build communities where recovery isn’t just possible—it’s celebrated.
Grantee Spotlight: Sitike Counseling Center
In this edition, we’re honored to spotlight Sitike Counseling Center, a powerful reminder of how compassion and culture walk hand-in-hand toward healing.
The name Sitike is an Apache word that means “a group of non-blood kin present in a time of crisis.” And that’s exactly what they are—a family formed by empathy, meeting people where they are, especially when times are toughest.
Since 1988, Sitike has provided community-based counseling for those affected by addiction, violence, and mental illness. Their approach is deeply rooted in the belief that healing is holistic—embracing harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive services.
Thanks to a grant from the Matthew Perry Foundation, Sitike has been able to expand access to care, providing vital services to hearing impaired clients, undocumented individuals, and others left behind. They shared that the Grassroots Grants empowered Sitike to hire peer counselors, including a former graduate of the program—proof that recovery breeds leadership, and healing can come full circle.
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: A Commitment to Lifelong Learning
We believe that to lead well, we must continue to learn with humility and purpose. That’s why our Executive Director, Lisa Kasteler-Calio, and our Chief Mission Officer, Karen Gaines, recently attended the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy—the nation’s premier institution for the study and practice of giving.
At Lilly, they joined a community of professionals dedicated to advancing equity, deepening impact, and transforming how we support one another. From groundbreaking research on underrepresented communities and faith-based giving, to the world’s first professional doctorate in philanthropy, Lilly is shaping the future of how we give with intention and integrity.
We are proud to carry that knowledge forward—to make our Foundation’s work even more thoughtful, inclusive, and effective in the years ahead.
Expanding the Ways to Give: Crypto, DAFs, and Stocks
You asked, and we listened. Supporting the Matthew Perry Foundation is now more flexible than ever.
You can now make tax-efficient gifts through:
• Cryptocurrency (including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 100+ others)
• Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
• Appreciated Stocks
These new giving options help us reach more people in need, in more sustainable ways. When you give in these ways, you’re not only supporting recovery—you’re investing in a future where no one has to struggle alone.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, consider sharing this newsletter with someone in crisis and becoming a monthly donor. To learn more about how to give, visit matthewperryfoundation.org.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Foundation Events
Social Impact Summit | June 3–4 | San Francisco
This June, we’ll come together with change makers at the Social Impact Summit—because when we move with purpose, there’s no challenge we can’t overcome.
MPF Salon | June 25 | New York City
We’re gathering with influential friends and fierce leaders in the substance use disorder community—because real change starts with courageous conversations.
NEXUS Summit | June 26–28 | New York City
At the NEXUS Summit, we’ll lift up bold voices and big ideas, forging partnerships that turn hope into sustainable change.
Together, We Are the Work
This month reminded us of something we know in our bones: we are the movement we’ve been waiting for. Every story, every act of generosity, every person reached through our grantees is another step toward healing a deeply hurting world.
Thank you for joining us—one day at a time, one transformative act of care at a time.
With gratitude and purpose,
The Matthew Perry Foundation Team
