Cassidy Joined for Hope

06/18/2026

“It was very fun, and we got a deeper insight into mental health while also having fun with all the activities and food.”- Aarya, 2026 Camper

When the kids arrive at Camp, they just see the magic. But creating that magic takes a village working quietly behind the scenes. 🏕️💛

It all starts with Kim Sekula Hess and Jud Hess. As our President and Cassidy’s mom, Kim’s vision, creativity, deep love for the kids, and conviction in the mission are the true heart of this foundation. To bring those beautiful ideas to life, Jud, Cassidy’s dad and handyman extraordinaire, builds and sets up every outdoor space so the kids can just play.

Beside them are our "OGs," Tracey Bieser and Lynn Fincher, here from the very start. Their daughters were Cassidy’s close friends, and those shared memories fuel their dedication. They are our ride-or-dies, making every Camp vision a reality (usually with very few questions asked! 😉).

Add in Jodie Domengeaux Schrier, our Advisory Board member and ultimate community connector, who is always ready to step in, and you see how it all fits together.

It takes an incredible team to pull off this weekend, and we are so blessed to have one that believes wholeheartedly in the mission.

06/15/2026

"I liked spending time on the lake with the paddle boards and floaties!" – Bailey-2026 Camper

Sunshine, floats, and fishing poles! 🎣☀️ Every busy Camp weekend needs a little downtime, and the lake is definitely the favorite spot to unplug. Whether they’re trying to reel in a big one or just floating the afternoon away with friends, we love seeing the pure joy on these faces. 💧💙

06/12/2026

“I thought it was very informative and gave us a better perspective on mental health and its issues!” – Kennedy -2026 Camper

When it comes to learning about mental health and su***de prevention, we are so lucky to have two absolute legends with the BIGGEST hearts for our teens leading the way at Camp! 💛

🧊 Shelley Simon Eisinger: A 20+ year Conroe ISD superstar! During the incredibly tough year we lost Cassidy, her door was always wide open for any student who needed a safe space to talk. She loves these kids so much she even launched the Joined for Hope Clubs at Willis and Conroe High Schools!

⚡ Danielle Brasher Rapp: A 35-year Conroe ISD teacher who brings endless excitement and giggles to kick off our camps! If you know Danielle, you know her passion and unconditional love for our youth is simply unmatched.

“Everyone needs a place to belong without judgment. A place where they can be accepted unconditionally when they walk in, bonded when they leave, and linked to an ongoing support system thereafter. Camp Cassidy does that and so much more. I am honored to be a part of it all and to serve our youth.” ~ Danielle Rapp

***dePrevention

06/10/2026

“Being a Camp Buddy is one of my absolute favorite things to do each year. It means so much to me to be able to support and learn alongside such amazing teens while honoring my beautiful friend, Cassidy” - Haylee H- 2026 Buddy

Ten years ago, the heartbreaking loss of our beautiful, free-spirited Cassidy Hess sparked a dream. In the midst of their grief, Cassidy’s closest friends envisioned a safe haven for teens to find hope, healing, friendship, and support. Today, that dream is Camp Cassidy! Several of these friends have been our guiding lights as Camp Buddies across our 3 annual camps.

We are so proud to introduce this year's Camp Buddies:

💜 Haylee Bieser Hile – Cassidy’s dear friend, returning for her 3rd year as a Camp Buddy.
💜 MaryKate Marcantel – Cassidy's close friend, back for her 3rd year guiding our campers.
💜 Lorna Favela – Cassidy’s sweet friend, returning for her 2nd year of sharing her love and support.
💜 Faith Cook – A full-circle moment! A 2025 camper now stepping up for her 1st year as a Camp Buddy.

06/10/2026

“Being a Camp Buddy is one of my absolute favorite things to do each year. It means so much to me to be able to support and learn alongside such amazing teens while honoring my beautiful friend, Cassidy” - Haylee H- 2026 Buddy

Ten years ago, the heartbreaking loss of our beautiful, free-spirited Cassidy Hess sparked a dream. In the midst of their grief, Cassidy’s closest friends envisioned a safe haven for teens to find hope, healing, friendship, and support. Today, that dream is Camp Cassidy! Several of these friends have been our guiding lights as Camp Buddies across our 3 annual camps.

We are so proud to introduce this year's Camp Buddies:

💜 Haylee Bieser Hile – Cassidy’s dear friend, returning for her 3rd year as a Camp Buddy.
💜 MaryKate Marcantel Tanguma – Cassidy's close friend, back for her 3rd year guiding our campers.
💜 Lorna Favela – Cassidy’s sweet friend, returning for her 2nd year of sharing her love and support.
💜 Faith Cook – A full-circle moment! A 2025 camper now stepping up for her 1st year as a Camp Buddy.

06/08/2026

That’s a wrap on our 3rd Annual Camp Cassidy!

Our hearts are incredibly full after an amazing weekend with 27 students representing College Park, Conroe, The Woodlands, Washington, Grand Oaks, and Oak Ridge High Schools. We had so much fun, and we are so proud of how they leaned in, supported one another, and built lifelong friendships.

Hosting this camp is officially our favorite thing to do. We pour so much into the planning, but nothing compares to the pure joy of spending the weekend learning, growing, and laughing alongside these world-changing teens!

Connection and HOPE are at the heart of Camp Cassidy. Because our core mission is su***de prevention, we equip students with vital advocacy training. It's all about creating a safe, supportive space where teens can find healing, confidently ask for help, advocate for their friends, gain the emotional tools they need for life and have alot of FUN!

Check out the photos below to see all of our incredible campers, plus a sneak peek of our beautiful barn setup right before the chaos ensued. Keep an eye on our page over the next few days—we’ll be sharing more of our favorite weekend moments and highlighting the amazing volunteer experts who helped make it all happen.

"You are doing better than you think you are... and God is doing more than you think He is." CJH

06/04/2026

Guys, your mental health matters — and speaking up is a sign of strength, not weakness. This month, we’re reminding teen males that it’s okay to talk, it’s okay to ask for help, and there is always hope.

06/01/2026

05/28/2026

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Houston Responds invites you to join a live Q&A with mental health experts and ask the questions that matter most.

Register today to reserve your spot for Thursday, May 26th, from 7:00–8:30 PM via Zoom.

05/21/2026

Camp Cassidy is almost here, and registration closes May 27th!

We have only 5 spots left for this no-cost camp filled with fun outdoor activities, camp buddies, mental health training, connection, and hope — don’t wait to grab a spot!

Registration link in comments 👇