Cook Center for Human Connection

What Cook Center for Human Connection does

Cook Center for Human Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation focused on youth suicide prevention, K-12 mental health support, and human connection programs. Founded by Greg and Julie Cook and led by President and CEO Anne Brown, the organization is headquartered in Park City, Utah and operates with 1-10 employees. Its program portfolio includes ElizaChat, an AI-powered conversational mental-health coach for students aged 13+ delivered via app or browser with HIPAA/FERPA compliance and clinical-supervision review; My Life Is Worth Living, an animated teen suicide-prevention series co-produced with Wonder Media; ParentGuidance.org, a free therapist-led course and 'Ask a Therapist' platform for parents; and Staff Guidance, an AI and human-coaching burnout-prevention product for school personnel built around the 'Digital Mind of Dr. Skinner.' The organization also administers Calm Room Grants (e.g., $100,000 awarded across 20 schools, with grants spread across 16 states and 24 districts) and an Influencer for Good award program.

Distribution is anchored in K-12 school partnerships, the peer-to-peer Hope Squad program implemented in 900+ schools across the US and Canada, the American Federation of Teachers' Share My Lesson platform reaching 1.9 million educators, and Mental Health America's 320+ affiliates. In May 2026 Cook Center merged with School Leadership Alliance, a K-12 executive-development organization co-founded by Jim Quigley and Lawrence Lee, materially extending the organization's reach into superintendent and principal coaching. All direct-to-end-user services are free; the organization is funded by family-foundation capital (Cook family), grants from partners including the Fredette Family Foundation, Ballard Center For Social Impact, America's Kids Belong, and Room Here, and donated support, with no commercial pricing model and no disclosed revenue.

The go-to-market motion combines direct superintendent and principal outreach, partner-channel distribution (Hope Squad, AFT, MHA, Wonder Media), event-driven engagement (annual mental health summits co-sponsored with AASA, The Jed Foundation, and Huntsman Mental Health Institute), and content marketing via blog, podcast, and earned media placements in outlets including Teen Vogue and USA Today. Strategic partners span clinical, technology, and channel domains — including Harvard-affiliated psychiatrist Dr. Melissa Lopez-Larson on the advisory board and ElizaChat as the AI technology partner — collectively positioning the organization as a grant-funded ecosystem aggregator rather than a vertically-integrated product company.

Name

Cook Center for Human Connection

Legal name

Cook Center for Human Connection

Website

https://cookcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cook Center for Human Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation delivering free suicide-prevention, mental-health, and human-connection programs — including the ElizaChat AI companion, My Life Is Worth Living animated series, ParentGuidance.org, and Staff Guidance — to K-12 schools, students, families, and educators across the United States and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Support and Suicide Prevention Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Suicide Prevention, Self-Harm Prevention & Threat Assessment Programs (EDAKAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Support Hotlines & Digital Wellbeing Tools (EDAJAIAL), Family Engagement & Caregiver Support Programs (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAK)

Keywords

• Mental health support
• Suicide prevention programs
• Youth wellness education
• Parent mental health resources
• School mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pleasant Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: The Cook Center operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation supported primarily by grants. They distribute grant funding to schools for mental health initiatives like Calm Rooms ($100,000 awarded to 20 schools, grants to 26 schools across 16 states). Funders include Fredette Family Foundation, Ballard Center For Social Impact, America's Kids Belong, and Room Here.
2. Free Educational Resources: Core resources including ParentGuidance.org, My Life Is Worth Living animated series, and ElizaChat are provided free of charge to schools, families, and students. Revenue is not generated directly but through foundation support and donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Cook Center for Human Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free mental health and suicide prevention resources to K-12 schools, parents, and students, delivering ElizaChat (an AI-powered 24/7 conversational wellness companion for teens aged 13+), the My Life Is Worth Living animated series, ParentGuidance.org for parent education, and Staff Guidance for educator burnout prevention. Its mission is to eradicate suicide by uniting programs, partnerships, research, and events that build human connection.

Product overview

The Cook Center for Human Connection operates as a multi-product nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention, mental health support, and enhancing human connection. The core portfolio consists of ElizaChat (an AI-powered 24/7 conversational mental health coach for students aged 13+, clinically supervised and HIPAA/FERPA compliant), My Life Is Worth Living (an animated teen suicide prevention series developed with Wonder Media), ParentGuidance.org (a free therapist-led resource for parents offering courses, Ask a Therapist, and coaching), and Staff Guidance (an AI-powered professional development and well-being support tool for school staff featuring the 'Digital Mind of Dr. Skinner' alongside human coaching). In May 2026, the Cook Center merged with the School Leadership Alliance to add K-12 executive coaching and professional development for superintendents and principals. The organization also administers grant programs including Calm Room Grants for schools and the Influencer for Good Award. All offerings are unified by the mission to eradicate suicide by 100% through education, connection, and actionable resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ElizaChat: AI-powered mental wellness companion for students 13+ that provides 24/7 support for building resilience, managing emotions, and learning skills.
• My Life Is Worth Living
• ParentGuidance.org
• Staff Guidance

Products and services

• ElizaChat AI-powered mental wellness companion for students aged 13+ that delivers 24/7 conversational AI coaching to help users build resilience, manage emotions, and learn coping skills. Clinically supervised by psychologists and therapists, with incident escalation protocols and HIPAA/FERPA compliance. Delivered through school partnerships and available via app or browser.
• My Life Is Worth Living Animated series designed to increase awareness about teen suicide rates and provide research-backed prevention strategies through relatable animated stories created by a team of doctors, social workers, and suicide experts. Distributed globally via 20 five-minute episodes on social media and five 20-minute episodes for TV broadcast, with companion instructional resources available through the American Federation of Teachers' Share My Lesson platform.
• ParentGuidance.org Free online resource led by licensed therapists providing trusted courses, an Ask-a-Therapist feature, professional support, school coaching, and a safe community for parents to help their children with mental health challenges.
• Staff Guidance Expert mentorship and personalized support platform for school staff to fight burnout, retain talent, and strengthen school culture. Combines the AI-powered Digital Mind of Dr. Skinner with The Care Team (licensed professional coaching), monthly learning content, and in-app messaging.
• School Leadership Alliance (merged entity) Executive development organization providing customized professional development and executive consulting for K-12 superintendents and school leaders. Combines Fortune 500-level rigor with district support, designed to build high-performing, sustainable school systems alongside Cook Center's mental health and human connection resources.
• Calm Room Grants Grant program distributing funds to K-12 schools to create calm rooms — dedicated calming spaces designed to support student mental health by offering a quiet, soothing environment for emotional regulation and stress relief. Awards have gone to 26 schools across 16 states and 24 districts.
• Influencer for Good Award Recognition program that awards individuals with influence who use their platforms to spread messages contributing to mental and emotional well-being, promote family-strengthening causes, or uplift vulnerable community members. Recipients have included Ashley Rose Reeves (2022) and Ganel-Lyn Condie (2023).

Quantifiable outcome

• Hope Squad program in schools shows students are more likely to seek help from adults when feeling sad or hopeless, and refer peers who need help
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• School Leadership Alliance (SLA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026SLA is an executive development organization that builds strong leaders across the K-12 system. Merger announced May 14, 2026 creates unified ecosystem for community-wide resilience. Co-founded by Jim Quigley (CEO Emeritus of Deloitte) and Lawrence Lee. Combines Cook Center's community well-being resources with SLA's Fortune 500-level executive coaching for superintendents and principals.
• ElizaChatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025ElizaChat is an AI-powered mental health coaching platform providing 24/7 support students can access anytime, anywhere. Regularly reviewed by clinically trained mental health professionals, it offers personalized guidance to help students regulate emotions and build resilience. Partnership aims to expand access to mental health resources in schools through conversational AI. Pilot program launching in select schools with plans to expand nationwide.
• American Federation of Teachers (Share My Lesson)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022My Life Is Worth Living Animated Series and Instructional Resources available to 1.9 million Share My Lesson educators for free through partnership with American Federation of Teachers. Provides educator access to suicide prevention curriculum and resources.
• Hope SquadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHope Squad is a school-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Hope Squad members are nominated by peers as trustworthy and good listeners, trained to notice when a peer is at risk of suicide, reach out, and refer to a trusted adult. The program promotes connectedness and mental wellness. In schools with Hope Squads, research shows students are more likely to seek help from adults and refer peers who need help. The program is in over 900 schools across the US and Canada.
• Mental Health AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental Health America (formerly National Mental Health Association) is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With more than 320 affiliates nationwide, they represent a growing movement promoting mental wellness for the nation every day and in times of crisis. The Cook Center partners with MHA to advance mutual mental health goals.
• Wonder MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWonder Media produces animated series to model appropriate behavior for children worldwide. The Cook Center partnered with Wonder Media to produce 'My Life Is Worth Living,' the first animated series dedicated to teen suicide prevention. Episodes available globally on social media (20 five-minute episodes) and TV broadcast (five 20-minute episodes). Founded by Terry Thoren (former CEO of Klasky Csupo) and Ryan Cannon (Emmy-nominated producer).
• Fredette Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by NBA player Jimmer Fredette, the Fredette Family Foundation strengthens families through programs of positivity and kindness to eradicate bullying and build safer, more inclusive communities. Partners with Cook Center to support school 'Kindness Clubs' in Utah and New York, and helped deliver grants to Corinth School District for suicide prevention.
• ParentGuidance.orgcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerParentGuidance.org is a free resource helping parents find answers to help their children. Content is led by therapists providing trusted courses, professional support, and a safe community. Includes free 'Ask a Therapist' feature. This is a Cook Center initiative that partners with schools and districts to provide parent mental health education.
• NobleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNoble offers therapist-created, research-backed Therapy Roadmaps on topics including Betrayal Trauma, Addiction, Anxiety, and more. Loved by mental health professionals and clients, providing robust healing experiences through connection and between-session support.
• Dr. Melissa Lopez-LarsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard-educated integrative psychiatrist specializing in holistic treatment of children, adolescents, and adults using evidence-based healing modalities. Integrates Diet, Exercise, Sleep Management, Meditation, Coaching and Supplements with traditional therapies.
• Gabe Alvarado FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocused on prevention of childhood trauma and providing help to children who have experienced trauma. Addresses preventing hunger, physical and sexual abuse, teen suicide, and emergency preparedness. Founded by Gabe Alvarado to spread hope and healing.
• Liahona Preparatory AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant supported construction of the Academy's new theater with goal of creating human connections vital for strong mental health.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Active Minds: Nonprofit driving K-12 and college student mental health awareness, peer-to-peer programs, and school-based chapters. Directly comparable target segment (students, schools), similar free-to-schools delivery, overlapping Hope Squad-style peer-referral model.
• Mental Health America: Cook Center's named partner; oldest U.S. mental-health nonprofit with 320+ affiliates and nationwide school/professional programs. Directly comparable free-of-charge, school-and-community delivery, and grant-funded sustainability model.
• Crisis Text Line: 24/7 text-based crisis intervention service that pioneered the chat-mediated mental health support model Cook Center extends via ElizaChat. Directly comparable in the AI/human-hybrid crisis-response category for adolescents and young adults.
• Sandy Hook Promise: K-12 nonprofit offering school-based violence/suicide prevention programs (Say Something, Safety Assessment). Comparable school-direct distribution model targeting the same funding pool (federal STOP School Violence grants), substitutes rather than complements Cook Center.
• The Jed Foundation: National nonprofit focused on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among college students and teens. Directly comparable: same K-12 and young-adult suicide prevention mission, similar school partnership distribution model, complementary to Cook Center rather than competing on product.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: The largest U.S. suicide prevention nonprofit, funding research, advocacy, and survivor support with nationwide chapters. Directly comparable mission (suicide eradication) and school-distribution goals, though AFSP is research/advocacy heavy while Cook Center is product heavy.

Broad incumbents

• BetterHelp: Largest online therapy subscription service, indirectly competing for the same adolescent and parent mental-health spend. Differs in being commercial telehealth while Cook Center is free, but meets a similar underlying need at different price points.
• Headspace Health: Commercial mental-health platform with Headspace for Schools meditation/SEL app serving K-12 districts. Comparable in targeting school-district mental-health budgets but as commercial product with subscription model rather than free, grant-funded delivery.

Emerging players

• Kognito Interactive: Vendor of school-based SEL simulations including At-Risk for Adolescents (suicide prevention avatar training). Comparable in selling digital K-12 mental health tooling to districts, but focused on educator training simulations rather than direct student-facing chat.

Others

• Calm.com: Mainstream consumer mindfulness/mental wellness app now offering Calm Health clinical versions and school partnerships. Comparable in adjacent mindfulness space; not a direct peer in K-12 suicide prevention but competes for the same school wellness budget line item.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvjgv6RnhqH3e8TQaDTKJ9Q
• Xx.com/Cook_Center
• Facebookfacebook.com/CookCenterforHumanConnection
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cook-center-for-human-connection

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cook Center for Human Connection