Bridging the Gap Between Provider and Client

 Authentic Life Foundation will provide a sustainable, community funded platform for providers willing to offer services at a reasonably reduced rate to help clients in need receive quality mental health services, regardless of their ability to pay. Building stronger practices and making a deeper positive impact on lives and the community.   

154 clients received mental health treatment services, through 1203 therapy sessions!

29%received treatment absolutely free. The remainder paid an average of 18% of discounted cost of services and NO ONE who asked for help was turned away.

If you or someone know are in need of therapy and are uninsured, give us a call and we will do our best to connect you/them with a therapist at a rate you/they can afford.

If you would like to donate to the cause  you can call, donate here or  drop donations by the office.

Laurie Carpenter, LCSW, LSCSW, CCATP, CCTP, is a private practice owner  in Independence, and KC, MO. She graduated from Park University in 2016. Laurie is happily married with 2 children. She is passionate about life, her family, healing and inspiring hope in others, and the CHIEFS. In her free time she enjoys  activities with family and friends, church, going to concerts, and watching football.

Cathy Alvarez, Treasurer

Authentic Life Foundation

Cathy Alvaraz is a dedicated and inspiring individual, serving as the treasurer of the Authentic Life Foundation. In her role, Cathy is instrumental in fundraising efforts and engaging the community to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental health. Her unwavering commitment to advocating for underserved populations spans many life domains, making her a powerful voice for those in need.

Professionally, Cathy excels as an administrative assistant at River of Refuge and as the director of operations at Life.Church. Her leadership and organizational skills are pivotal in ensuring the smooth functioning of these organizations, allowing them to effectively serve their communities.

Cathy's passion for helping others extends far beyond her professional roles. She volunteers tirelessly, dedicating her time and talents to the betterment of women and families. Her mission to remove barriers and empower individuals to become their best selves is evident in her mentorship and advocacy work.

As a loving mother of two wonderful children, who are the apple of her eye, Cathy balances her professional and volunteer commitments with grace and dedication. In her free time, she cherishes moments spent with family and friends, enjoys playing games, and brings people together with her warm and inclusive spirit.

Cathy Alvaraz's multifaceted contributions and her heartfelt dedication to making a difference in the lives of others make her an invaluable asset to the Authentic Life Foundation and a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who know her.

Ronda Plummer, Secretary

Authentic Life Foundation

Ronda has been a Paralegal for approximately 28 years. During that time, she has worked on numerous  projects involving coordinating large groups of individuals to come together for a common goal. She has also worked with the LIME Tree Recovery House providing Peer Counseling and taught various classes on general life challenges and how to overcome them. In her current position, Director of K-12 and Regulatory Affairs at Unite Private Networks, She has the pleasure of assisting underprivileged school districts across the nation in qualifying for and maintaining funding for Information Technology-related services through a program that is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission. 

On a personal level, her family has been touched by mental health issues on a number of different fronts. In each instance, finding a qualified yet affordable mental health professional was overwhelming, cost prohibitive and a true impediment to getting the help her family needed in a time of dire need. She is passionate about helping others in the community to identify potential therapists and provide resources to help offset the cost that often cause them to be unable to receive the help and services they need to lead successful, healthy lives.

DATE: Labor Day Weekend 2025

🎉 Join Us at SantaCaliGon Days Festival: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness! 🎉

Are you ready for an unforgettable Labor Day weekend? Look no further! The Authentic Life Foundation is thrilled to invite you to our booth at the SantaCaliGon Days Festival in Independence, MO. From Friday through Monday, we’re turning up the heat (and the compassion) as we raise awareness for mental health and make a positive impact in our community.

Here’s what you can expect at our booth:

1. Mission-Driven Fundraising:
   
   • Our mission is crystal clear: supporting mental health initiatives. Every dollar raised goes directly toward providing essential services to those in need. Join us in making a difference!

1. Narcan Education and Distribution:
   
   • Knowledge is power! Swing by our booth to learn about Narcan—an essential tool in preventing opioid-related overdoses. Our team will be there to educate you and provide resources.

1. 50/50 Raffle:
   
   • Feeling lucky? Purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win big! Half of the proceeds go to our foundation, and the other half could be yours. 🎟️💰

1. Stay Hydrated with Cold Water:
   
   • Festival fun can be hot work! Grab an ice-cold bottle of water from us—it’s refreshing, and you’ll be supporting mental health awareness at the same time.

1. Bean Bag Toss Game:
   
   • Test your aim! Challenge your friends and family to a friendly bean bag toss game. Every Player wins!

1. The Ultimate Dunk Tank Experience:
   
   • Brace yourselves! Our dunk tank features a rotating lineup of incredible individuals who are passionate about mental health. Want to see your favorite therapist, peer support, student intern,  or advocate take the plunge? Here’s your chance! 🌊💙

Remember, it’s not just about having fun (though we promise plenty of that). It’s about coming together as a community, breaking down stigma, and supporting one another. So mark your calendars, spread the word, and let’s make this Labor Day weekend truly memorable.

See you at SantaCaliGon Days—where compassion meets carnival! 🎪🌟

 Date: TBD
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Uptown Market, Independence, MO
Tickets: $100 each 

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Authentic Life Foundation's "Love in Motion" event! Enjoy a delicious catered meal by Local Seasons Catering, non-alcoholic beverages, and a selection of beer and wine. This semi-formal event will feature dinner, dancing, a short presentation, dessert, photobooth and a live DJ.

• Catered Meal: Provided by Local Seasons Catering
• Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine
• Entertainment: Dinner, dancing, short presentation, dessert,  and live DJ
• Auctions & Raffles: Many exciting items up for auction and raffle

• bronze sponsor = $1,000 - ten tickets (table), program recognition.

• silver sponsor = $1,500 - ten tickets (table), program recognition, sponsor listing on website.

• gold sponsor = $2,500 - ten tickets (table), wine at the table for dinner, program recognition, sponsor listing on website, permanent recognition in the Founder's Circle.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 to support the Authentic Life Foundation's mission. Your participation and generosity will make a significant impact.

https://localseasonscatering.com/

https://www.life.church/eastkansascity/

https://au-thenticlife.com/

https://www.sandysbluesprings.com/

https://www.targetdd.com/

Brian Vestle

Vince Long

Gary Monroe

The Carpenter Family

The Plummer Family