Community-Minded Enterprises Launches Hands Across Spokane, A Citywide Mental Health Awareness Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22nd, 2025

Spokane, WA — Community-Minded Enterprises is proud to announce the launch of Hands Across Spokane this fall, a citywide campaign aimed at making mental health and recovery visible, accessible, and grounded in community connection.

Running through September and culminating in a public Resource Fair on Friday, October 10th, World Mental Health Day, the campaign invites individuals, businesses, and organizations across Spokane to join hands, both symbolically and literally, to stand for connection, care, and access to support.

At a time when many face mental health challenges in isolation, Hands Across Spokane offers a simple, powerful message: when we make support visible, we make it possible.

Hands Across Spokane builds on the legacy of Hands Across the Falls, an event where people linked hands across the Monroe Street Bridge to honor those impacted by substance use disorder, and those lost to it. This year, CME is expanding that idea into a full citywide campaign, with a broader focus on mental health, equity, recovery, and connection to services.

Throughout September and into October, we’re calling on organizations, businesses, and individuals across Spokane to share photos of joined hands using #HandsAcrossSpokane. It’s a public, citywide message that says “you’re seen, you’re supported, and there is a path forward.” This campaign builds toward our Hands Across Spokane Resource Fair on October 10th, a free, family-friendly event featuring food, music, and activities alongside local providers coming together to offer resources, support, and connection.

Organizations that provide behavioral health, recovery, or other support services are invited to sign up to table the October 10th event as vendors. Our goal is to help the public make direct, stigma-free connections with trusted local resources.

CME is also welcoming businesses and funders who want to take a visible stand for mental health and recovery in Spokane. Sponsors will be recognized on campaign materials, signage, and the Hands Across Spokane website, and will help expand outreach, accessibility, and impact.

How the Community Can Participate

1. Share a photo of joined hands with the hashtag #HandsAcrossSpokane: Whether it’s with coworkers, friends, clients, or community members, one photo can carry a message of hope and visibility.

2. Attend the Resource Fair: Show up, learn, connect, and take part in the collective hand-joining and moment of silence.

3. Help spread the word: Talk about the campaign, share share stories and information, go to our website for our campaign guide, and encourage others to participate. 

4. Support Hands Across Spokane: We welcome both individual donations and sponsorships from businesses and organizations. Every contribution helps expand outreach, increase access, and make this campaign more visible and inclusive.

Hands Across Spokane is a visible reminder that care still exists, that connection still matters, and that the people of this city are willing to show up for one another. When support is visible it becomes possible, when connection is public it becomes powerful, and when people see a community willing to stand for mental health, they begin to believe they belong in it.

We know that stigma doesn’t disappear on its own, and access doesn’t expand by chance. It takes collective effort across systems, communities, and experiences. This is our chance to show what’s possible when a city chooses to stand together. Join us in building something Spokane can be proud of.

Learn more at HandsAcrossSpokane.org

Media Contact:
Madi Allen
Communications Manager
Community-Minded Enterprises
Direct: (509) 666-4183
MadiA@community-minded.org

About Community-Minded Enterprises
Community-Minded Enterprises is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering families and individuals through a range of programs in early learning, recovery support, and family services. CME works to improve the quality of life in Central and Eastern Washington and surrounding areas by providing essential resources and services.

Mission
Community-Minded Enterprises transforms communities in Washington State while advancing diversity and inclusion of marginalized populations, so that all people have an opportunity for equitable health, education, and safety.