Citing funding challenges, the SIMS Foundation has announced a 90-day pause on its mental health and other services for musicians. During the pause, the nonprofit organization will go through a strategic planning process to restructure its service delivery model. The organization needs to raise $480,000 by November to maintain service levels during the restructuring. In a letter to supporters and clients, Board Chair Marissa Rivera said the foundation, which has provided over $50 million in mental health care to more than 25,000 members of Austin’s music community since 1995, needs to adapt to the evolving health care landscape as key reasons for the temporary halt. SIMS clients can still maintain relationships with their providers at a discounted rate during this period. Derrick Lesnau, the newly appointed CEO, is leading efforts to guide SIMS during the transition.
Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written... More by Chad Swiatecki