The Z-Cares Initiative was established in 2019 to honor the memory of Zachary Nimmo. Zachary was always quick to stand up for a friend in need and was there when he was needed most. This is the essence of the organization. Z-Cares will stand up to anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders in support of the communities we serve through evidence-based programs and content offerings. Our vision is for all communities members recognize it is 'OK to Not be OK.'
Our mission is to encourage meaningful conversations about youth mental health while reducing the stigma throughout communities.
Z-Cares Foundation will accomplish this mission through; providing evidence-based offerings; building awareness; and encouraging ongoing conversations about youth mental health throughout the communities we serve.
Z-Cares is here to help. Let's talk about it!
Zachary Nimmo is the inspiration of the Z-Cares Initiative. We are dedicated to changing lives in Z's honor
Founders
Steve Nimmo
Samantha Nimmo
Mannie Nimmo
Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"In reflecting on my role in Z-Cares Foundation and why I want to be involved in something this special. In October of 2018 our world would shift forever and as a family we needed to decide a new direction. Zachary was such a special person and we knew we had to honor
Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"In reflecting on my role in Z-Cares Foundation and why I want to be involved in something this special. In October of 2018 our world would shift forever and as a family we needed to decide a new direction. Zachary was such a special person and we knew we had to honor him in a very special way. Z-Cares allows us to help others in his honor. He was the one who quickly stood up to a bully for a friend, so we are doing to same in his name. Mental Health is now the bully and together we stand up. I am proud of this organization and I think he would be too."
Mannie Nimmo
Samantha Nimmo
Mannie Nimmo
Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"When asked WHY I do what I do with Z-Cares, I always answer the same - one can curl up in a ball and do nothing or one can keep the sunshine alive by making sure we learn to deal with the dark shadows that pop up in everyone's life and learn to TALK about them. This
Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"When asked WHY I do what I do with Z-Cares, I always answer the same - one can curl up in a ball and do nothing or one can keep the sunshine alive by making sure we learn to deal with the dark shadows that pop up in everyone's life and learn to TALK about them. This is what Z-Cares is all about - starting and keeping the conversation about mental health going and getting people to realize mental health is as important as physical health and we need to treat it that way!"
Samantha Nimmo
Samantha Nimmo
Samantha Nimmo
Psychology Graduate
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"A lot of people ask me why i’m involved in a foundation around mental health. My answer is simple, because of my brother Zachary. The life that he lived helping others empowers me everyday to spread the message about how important mental health is. No one should live with the weight t
Psychology Graduate
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"A lot of people ask me why i’m involved in a foundation around mental health. My answer is simple, because of my brother Zachary. The life that he lived helping others empowers me everyday to spread the message about how important mental health is. No one should live with the weight that anxiety and depression puts upon you. It's our mission at Z-Cares to show people it’s simply okay not to be okay. I am beyond proud and passionate to help break the stigma around mental health. Mental health is beyond important to our overall well being and not enough people believe this yet."
Youth Ambassadors
Ally
"Through my own mental health struggles I’ve learned the importance of inclusivity and acceptance. When you're in a dark place it can feel almost as if no one has and will ever feel the same way. Z-Cares breaks that stigma and reminds us all that we are in this together. At the end of the day the hardest things to be said should be said the loudest and that is why I joined Z-Cares team. "
Noor
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"Mental health is important to me because I believe no one should have to suffer through anxiety or depression thinking they are alone. Mental health in general is very personal to me and I've watched it affect the people around me as well as myself. I truly believe the power of someone reaching out to help is still so underestimated and I want to make sure no one should have to feel like I once did. Z-Cares is doing a great job breaking the stigma of Mental Health issues and I'm so excited to be a part of what Z-Cares is doing."
Sruthi (she/her)
"Youth Mental Health Awareness is super important to me since I've experienced the negative burdens of today's society in regards to my health (and I'm still in High School). I don't want anyone else to feel the way I did, so I try to end the stigma as much as I can. I want to make the world a better place (even though it is quite a large task), so I joined the Z-Cares Community so I can talk about it!
Alexa
"Being involved in Z-Cares is important to me because it allows me to advocate for the mental health of others. Having struggled with my own mental health, I am very passionate about ending stigma surrounding mental health and creating awareness about the topic."
Aarnav
" I have struggled with severe anxiety for a long time, which has often been a major obstacle in my life. This is why I am particularly drawn to the mission of Z-Cares Initiative, which seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage meaningful conversations about youth mental health. I believe that by sharing my own experiences and struggles with others, I can help to create a more open and accepting dialogue around mental health issues."
Executive Team
Ken Nimmo, Director of Finance
Margaret Ching, Director of Education
Ken Nimmo, Director of Finance
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"This cause is important to me because we all struggle at one time or another. We need to talk about it. There should be a perception of strength to ask for help or to speak up. That is change I want to help make."
Laurie Whiteland, Treasurer
Margaret Ching, Director of Education
Ken Nimmo, Director of Finance
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"It is my privilege to serve as treasurer for the Z-Cares Foundation since the beginning of our work. The work we have been able to accomplish and plan to accomplish is having powerful impacts across our communities. I am looking forward to continue to help inspiring youth and help show there is always hope."
Liz Lyons, Director of Education
Margaret Ching, Director of Education
Margaret Ching, Director of Education
Ed.D.
"The Z-Cares Foundation holds an important link between hope and despair, darkness and light, solitude and community. I’ve worked as an educator for 32 years and I am excited to work together to create a supportive and responsive educational program to support families and youth learn ways to foster social emotional well-being and find hope through dark times."
Margaret Ching, Director of Education
Margaret Ching, Director of Education
Margaret Ching, Director of Education
Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"When I was asked to join the Z-Cares Board, I did not hesitate to say yes. I believe in ZCARES' mission and I want to be part of the change to destigmatize Mental Health struggles. I want to change the stigma from Mental Illness to Mental Wellness. We all need to look
Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"When I was asked to join the Z-Cares Board, I did not hesitate to say yes. I believe in ZCARES' mission and I want to be part of the change to destigmatize Mental Health struggles. I want to change the stigma from Mental Illness to Mental Wellness. We all need to look at mental health not as an illness but as part of an intricate process to maintain our wellness."
Noor Dharni, Director of Events
Saradha Rajagopalan, Director of Administration
Noor Dharni, Director of Events
"Mental health is important to me because I believe no one should have to suffer through anxiety or depression thinking they are alone. Mental health in general is very personal to me and I've watched it affect the people around me as well as myself. I truly believe the power of someone reaching out to help is still so underestimated and
"Mental health is important to me because I believe no one should have to suffer through anxiety or depression thinking they are alone. Mental health in general is very personal to me and I've watched it affect the people around me as well as myself. I truly believe the power of someone reaching out to help is still so underestimated and I want to make sure no one should have to feel like I once did. Z-Cares is doing a great job breaking the stigma of Mental Health issues and I'm so excited to be a part of what Z-Cares is doing."
Raquel Lozares, Secretary
Saradha Rajagopalan, Director of Administration
Noor Dharni, Director of Events
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"When I was asked to join the Z-Cares Board almost four years ago, I did not hesitate to say yes. I have always been involved with the youth of our community by coaching, working, being a driver or team mom for my 3 kids. Watching the Nimmos go through Zach’s passing has been heart-wrenching. To see how th
Youth Mental Health First Aider
"When I was asked to join the Z-Cares Board almost four years ago, I did not hesitate to say yes. I have always been involved with the youth of our community by coaching, working, being a driver or team mom for my 3 kids. Watching the Nimmos go through Zach’s passing has been heart-wrenching. To see how this affects the family and other kids to this day makes me more passionate to help in any way possible. We need to get the word out that it is ok for kids to feel what they feel and they are not the only ones feeling anxious, sad, depressed, or whatever other feelings they have. We all have had those days when nothing can go wrong and days when nothing can go right. Being young and learning how to deal with those feelings and seeking help if need be is what Z-Cares is about. We are trying to present tools so all families can help their own kids or maybe recognize that one of their kid's friends may be in trouble and needs someone to intervene on their behalf. Anxiety isn’t a joke and losing children, teenagers and young adults with a full life ahead of them is devastating and we all should be knowledgeable on how to help. Once you start the important conversation with a young person about mental health you could possibly be changing the course of their life and your family's. To say it couldn’t happen to my family is a lie, it can happen to anyones. Because I have been involved with kids so much, I have unfortunately attended more funerals than I should have had to. Economics played no role in these kids taking their lives, only the lack of recognition that they were suffering a mental health crisis. Not every person can be saved but I would like to try and make a dent. This is why I joined the Z-Cares Board and why I fully stand behind the messages we put out there. The Nimmo’s have been through a lot and to use their experience to save others is nothing short of what I would expect from them. Z-Cares and the Nimmos’ truly care about you, your family, and the youth of every community, not just the local ones. Please help us help others in anyway you can and Stand Up for our youth."
Saradha Rajagopalan, Director of Administration
Saradha Rajagopalan, Director of Administration
Saradha Rajagopalan, Director of Administration
"Advocating for mental well-being and guiding friends and family based on my life experiences is something I have been involved for few years now. As a mother of teenagers, I could see how various things in current society affects our youth at home and at school. I believe adolescence is the right time to talk about feelings/emotions and
"Advocating for mental well-being and guiding friends and family based on my life experiences is something I have been involved for few years now. As a mother of teenagers, I could see how various things in current society affects our youth at home and at school. I believe adolescence is the right time to talk about feelings/emotions and learn self caring skills. I was excited when Z-Cares contacted me for administration role. Their goals aligned with my beliefs and I jumped right on to make use of my skills and provide administrative and technical support. "
Board Members
Allen Nimmo
Ken Nimmo, Youth Mental Health First Aider
Laurie Whiteland, Youth Mental Health First Aider
Liz Lyons-Wagner, Ed.D.
Margaret Ching, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Natalie Hung, Youth Mental Health First Aider
Natalie McDaniel, Youth Mental Health First Aider
Noor Dharni
Raquel Lozares, Youth Mental Health First Aider
Saradha Rajagopalan
Board of Advisors
Mark A. Reinecke, Ph.D.
Professional Advisor
Mark A. Reinecke, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He served for 18 years as Professor and Chief of the Division of Psychology at Northwestern. Prior to this he served for 14 years as the Director of the Center for Cognitive Therapy in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. He is a Distinguished Fellow and former president of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) in both Clinical Psychology and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Dr. Reinecke also is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. He is the recipient of the Cynthia D. Belar Distinguished Service Award from the American Psychological Association. His research and clinical interests center on understanding and treating depression, suicide, and anxiety among children and adolescents. He has lectured internationally and has served as a visiting professor at institutions in Europe and Asia. Dr. Reinecke is widely published, and has authored or edited eleven books, including Cognitive therapy across the lifespan, Comparative treatments of depression, Cognitive therapy with children and adolescents, Personality disorders in children and adolescents, and Cognitive-behavioral therapy with adults. His first book for a general audience, Little ways to keep calm and carry on was published by New Harbinger. A new book, Landmark papers in psychiatry, (Oxford University Press) was published earlier this year.
Karin Gornick
Production Advisor
Emmy Award winning social impact film producer
Press
- ABC 10 Sacramento - CalHOPE Schools Initiative (May 2023)
- KTVU Fox 2 - Stories of Hope - Shorts (January 2023)
- KTVU Fox 2 - Simone Biles highlights struggles many face, mental health advocates say (August 2021)
- KTVU Fox 2 - Mental Health Awareness Month 2021 (May 2021)
- Pleasanton Weekly - Z-Cares encourages more dialogue around mental health (April 2021)
- Pleasanton Weekly - Z-Cares raising youth mental health awareness with Stand UP campaign (October 2020)
- Pleasanton Weekly - Z-Cares Invite People to Share "What Makes me Happy" (May 2020)
- HVY.COM - Z-Cares Launches "What Makes Me Happy Challenge" (May 2020)
- California Schools Publications - Addressing Teen Mental Health (April 2020)
- Livermore Independent - Conference to Open Dialogue on Anxiety (March 2020)
- KTVU - Step Forward Event Promotion (March 2020)
- People Magazine - Family Dedicated to Anxiety, Depression Awareness (December 2019)
- Pleasanton Weekly - Nimmo Family (November 2019)
- KTVU - Angst Screening Promotion (November 2019)
- Pleasanton Weekly - Honoring 2019 Tri-Valley Heroes (October 2019)
- Pleasanton Weekly - Tri Valley Hero Awards (October 2019)
- Sunday Morning Magazine with Rodney Lear (June 2, 2019)
- Pleasanton Weekly - Standing Up to Anxiety (March 8, 2019)
- Positive Parenting - Mr Dad Interview (January 2019)
- KTVU - Z-Cares First Screening (December 10, 2018)
- East Bay Times - Z-Cares Advocates Mental Health Awareness (December 11, 2018)
- Pleasanton Weekly - Upcoming Screening of Angst (December 6, 2018)
Our Inspiration: Zachary Nimmo
Meet Zachary
Z-Cares Foundation is in honor of Zachary Nimmo. The Nimmo Family, Zachary’s Mom, Dad and Sister Samantha along with their extended family and amazing friends created Z-Cares Foundation in response to the outpouring of love and affection for Zachary during, and after his life. Z-Cares is a non-profit foundation with the goal of keeping Zachary’s memory alive and generating the funding necessary to support programs that will help remove the stigma of anxiety and mental illness.
Imagine, you get a common cold, it's no big deal. Your cold gets worse, you now have pneumonia, what do you do? Of course you go to the doctor. Why do we treat anxiety different? You experience mild anxiety due to an upcoming test, it's no big deal. Your anxiety gets worse, you are now isolated in your room and withdrawn from your friends, what do you do. Too often we do nothing and say nothing. Everyone has anxiety, don’t let it reach dangerous levels. Anxiety isn’t cool, but talking about it is!
Zachary had a zest for life, he was a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, a grandson, a teammate and most importantly, a friend. He was liked by everyone and always put others needs ahead of his own. Who was Zachary? Zachary would stand up to bullies who were picking on a friend. That is who Zachary was. If he knocked down an opponent on the sports field, he would help him up. That is who Zachary was. He would torment his sister until they both laughed about it. That is who Zachary was. Zachary was known by his friends as a ‘Hybrid’; He was an athlete, excelling in lacrosse and soccer and he was a self proclaimed ‘geek’, loving fishing, gaming and comics. That is who Zachary was. We can all learn from how Zachary lived.
What was not known was the severity of Zachary’s anxiety. Without an understanding of anxiety, Zachary was referred to as shy; It was anxiety. Experiencing teen hormones; It was anxiety. He began to withdraw from his friends; it was anxiety He stopped participating in team sports; It was anxiety. He spent most of his time alone; It was anxiety. He was seeking medical and psychological help, but it was too late.
In Zachary’s honor, Z-Cares Foundation will start the conversation about anxiety and keep it going. If you feel you are experiencing anxiety, say something; if you see a friend experiencing anxiety, say something, don’t let a minor anxiety issue become something dangerous, say something.
We are all in this together and no one fights alone LET'S TALK ABOUT IT!