About HEARTS
Our Story: HEARTS was founded from a place of profound compassion by the Newbery family, who personally experienced the devastating impact of suicide. Rather than allowing loss to have the final word, they transformed pain into purpose—building an organization committed to preventing youth suicide through resilience education, empowerment, and community engagement.
Our Vision: We envision a future where:
Suicide rates decline dramatically.
Young leaders thrive with strength, character, and purpose.
Communities proactively engage in mental health education and support.
Every youth has access to the tools, connections, and confidence they need to build a resilient future.
Our Core Beliefs:
The 7 Cs of Resilience are teachable and life-changing.
Prevention must happen before crisis.
Communities, not individuals alone, hold the key to lasting mental health support.
Every young person matters—and every contribution to their journey matters too.
Meet Our
FOUNDER
Alicia Walker founded HEARTS: Helping Empower Adolescents Reject Thoughts of Suicide in 2018 following the devastating loss of her youngest brother, Joseph Newberry, who died by suicide in 2010. In the years that followed, Alicia wrestled with overwhelming grief, emotional pain, and unhealthy coping mechanisms as she searched for healing and purpose. Through her faith, she experienced God's healing and began to recognize that her family's tragedy could become a source of hope for others.
Led by God's calling, Alicia established HEARTS to ensure that young people know they are seen, valued, and never alone. What began as a personal journey of healing has grown into a mission dedicated to suicide prevention, youth mental health, and resilience-building through the CREW (Connection, Resilience, Empowerment, and Worth) Program. Today, HEARTS continues to be faith-led, community-driven, and committed to equipping young people with the confidence, coping skills, and meaningful connections they need to overcome life's challenges and thrive.