ROCK HILL  — In response to the growing youth mental health crisis, a new initiative is underway in Sullivan County that aims to provide specialized care for adolescent girls. 

EverGreen Meadow Academy, spearheaded by local advocate Stacey Millman and a team of directors, therapists and educators, is developing a residential treatment and middle school campus in Rock Hill to serve young girls facing trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

“We couldn’t find the mental health services our daughter needed when she was in middle school and struggling,” explained Founder and President Stacey Millman. “We had to send her out of state to get the specialized care she required. That was incredibly difficult, and it showed me just how much families here are lacking support.”

This experience inspired Millman to help create a resource that hadn’t previously existed: a therapeutic academy which focuses on healing, empowerment and family support.

EverGreen Meadow Services began offering programs that were community-oriented back in 2023. These took place in local middle schools and other spaces. In the span of a year, the team had reached more than 100 girls and their families via empowerment sessions and therapeutic outreach.

Nowadays, their sights are set for even greater horizons: a residential campus set on 34 acres of land donated by The Center for Discovery.

This Rock Hill-based location is meaningful as it was once the place where The Center’s first residential program called home. This new development is planned to include academic and therapy buildings, outdoor trails, a kitchen garden, and animal-assisted therapy.

These are all designed to foster healing and growth through nature, movement and community.

If approved, construction will start this fall on the North Campus, which will be the first phase of the build-out. 

The entire campus will feature four cottages which are dedicated to mental health programming, administration, as well as arts and movement.

Funding support has been critical to the project’s momentum. Former Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther secured $250,000 in state support for two years, and Assemblywoman Paula Kay has since taken the lead in championing the cause. Governor Kathy Hochul also awarded $1.9 million in seed funding to jump start the Academy’s development.

“We are currently building a coalition of government and private sector supporters to raise the funds necessary to make the Campus and Academy a reality,” detailed Millman. “We’ve really struck a chord in the community. Nearly everyone knows someone—or has a family member—who has struggled with mental health challenges. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong support from our neighbors, local schools, legislators, and community organizations.”

Services will remain active as construction gets underway. Families in need can access support through Evergreen’s family navigator. This tool helps parents connect with appropriate care for their daughters.

“EverGreen Meadow has a solid case for support, sound financial planning, and a host of supporters, but are raising the money now to build the Academy,” stated Millman.  “We welcome gifts of any level and encourage anyone who can support our program to reach out or visit us at www.evergreenmeadowacademy.org/donate.

“[My vision] is to create a safe space where young girls can heal and learn in a nurturing and safe environment at no cost to New York State families, and we are well on our way!”