Jake Haapajoki was a 16-year-old Brainerd High School student when he took his own life almost a year ago to everyone's surprise. But he could have been anyone and that is the point of Smiles for Jake. Eryk Haapajoki is Jake's father and director.
Student-led organization donates 10K to help youths with mental health illnesses
The Lighthouse Project and Northern Pines are continuing to help area students both with funds and through community messaging aimed at taking away the stigma around mental health and seeking help when it s needed. 1:00 am, Dec. 16, 2020 ×
Brainerd High School students Logan Carlson (left), Keaton Walkowiak, Kate Sullivan , director of opeations, Kim Schaefbauer, clinical director at Northern Pines, and Hayden Kvalevog, a student, talk Monday, Dec. 14, about the Lighthouse Project s donation to Northern Pines Mental Health Center. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
It was the best Christmas present Northern Pines could have received $10,000 to go toward helping Brainerd and Baxter students in need of mental health services.