Skip to Content

Engage and Heal Foundation Gala Celebrates Mental Health Advocacy and Student Leadership

Annual event raises funds to expand mental health programs in the Lake Travis community and honor local student advocate

Emcee Lauren Petrowski, left, and Engage and Heal Foundation President Amelia Floyd attend the fifth annual Out of the Woods gala on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Lakeway Resort & Spa.
Emcee Lauren Petrowski, left, and Engage and Heal Foundation President Amelia Floyd attend the fifth annual Out of the Woods gala on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Lakeway Resort & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Engage and Heal Foundation)

Community members gathered at the Lakeway Resort & Spa on Saturday, March 29, for the Engage and Heal Foundation’s fifth annual gala, Out of the Woods, an evening focused on expanding mental health awareness and resources across the Lake Travis community.

The event featured a formal dinner and program highlighting the foundation’s growing impact and ongoing efforts to reduce stigma surrounding mental health. In a show of community support, Lakeway Mayor Tom Kilgore and his wife, Caren, pledged a $10,000 matching gift through the Caren and Tom Kilgore Trust during the evening’s giving appeal.

Lake Travis High School senior Robby Belmarez speaks during the Engage and Heal Foundation’s Out of the Woods gala. Belmarez was honored as the foundation’s first Student Ambassador for his mental health advocacy and awarded a $2,500 scholarship. (Photo courtesy of Engage and Heal Foundation)
Lake Travis High School senior Robby Belmarez speaks during the Engage and Heal Foundation’s Out of the Woods gala. Belmarez was honored as the foundation’s first Student Ambassador for his mental health advocacy and awarded a $2,500 scholarship. (Photo courtesy of Engage and Heal Foundation)

Student ambassador honored

The foundation also named its first-ever Student Ambassador: Lake Travis High School senior Robby Belmarez. Recognized for his work promoting mental health awareness among students and athletes, Belmarez received a $2,500 scholarship in honor of his advocacy.

The varsity football long snapper launched a campaign during the season centered on the message “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” encouraging conversations about mental health among peers, teachers and teammates.

Live auction winners raise a toast during the Engage and Heal Foundation’s Out of the Woods gala. (Photo courtesy of Engage and Heal Foundation)
Live auction winners raise a toast during the Engage and Heal Foundation’s Out of the Woods gala. (Photo courtesy of Engage and Heal Foundation)

Programs focused on education and access

The Engage and Heal Foundation, which began in 2019 with the creation of the Erik Hanson Scholarship—named in memory of a Lake Travis High School graduate—has expanded over the past five years to offer mental health education, prevention tools and resources to students, families and educators throughout Lake Travis ISD.

Current programs include mental health literacy for students in grades 5 through 12, a ropes course focused on leadership and confidence-building, access to online therapy services through Anticipate Joy, and community forums aimed at increasing awareness around mental illness, suicide prevention and crisis support.

More information about the Engage and Heal Foundation and ways to support its programs can be found at their website.

RELATED: The 82nd Annual Crystal Ball Raises Funds to Support the Mission of Austin’s Helping Hand Home