Build RESILience, EMPOWER Minds, Love

SKYE'S THE LIMIT FOUNDATION is a 501c3 Public Charity RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR COMPASSION AND CONNECTION TO COMBAT THE SOCIAL ISOLATION THAT CAN LEAD TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUICIDE. 

OUR VISION IS TO SEE A RESILIENT WORLD WHERE WE THRIVE TOGETHER. 

MISSION:   

The Mission of Skye's the Limit! Foundation is to prevent trauma-related loss by substance overdose and suicide by building resiliency and empowering youth, families, and communities through advocacy, trauma education, peer support, and art- & nature-based intervention strategies.

We work to build a trauma-informed community that supports and empowers those impacted by trauma.  We provide referrals for therapeutic services and resources for help.     

Skye’s the Limit was founded in light of the trauma-related overdose of 19-year-old Skye Gina Ratcliffe Pilato on September 30, 2014. After two suicide attempts, Skye resorted to drugs to numb the pain she was feeling in isolation. In her honor, Skye’s the Limit now educates the community on trauma, harm reduction, and self-care and works to provide an environment for youth to speak out, express themselves, and ask for help.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Trauma experienced by children and youth is a pervasive and serious public health issue that requires a coordinated response.” These experiences can include witnessing or experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse, the death of a loved one, family and community violence, refugee and war experiences, natural disasters, and others. “Trauma during childhood is associated with a range of physical health and emotional problems, and most tragically, suicide—too often a consequence of untreated mental illness and substance use disorders, and as such a preventable condition. Among youth ages 10 to 24, suicide is the second leading cause of death” (SAMHSA).1

Experts, researchers, and service providers in the fields of child welfare, youth development and trauma agree that expanding universal best practices of trauma-informed care is a crucial step in addressing the effects of childhood trauma. The trauma-informed approach aims to prevent re-traumatization and promote recovery and resilience by (1) being sensitive to the impact of trauma, (2) understanding and employing tools to regulate emotions during stressful times, and (3) identifying and supporting systemic changes needed to reduce re-traumatization. 2 

1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

2Arizona Town Hall (2019). Strong Families Thriving Children. Retrieved from https://aztownhall.org/resources/Documents/112%20Strong%20Families%20Thriving%20Children/112%20Stong%20Families%20Thriving%20Children%20Background%20Report%20web.pdf

At SKYE'S THE LIMIT! FOUNDATION, we know that by increasing understanding of the trauma-informed  approach and training school staff, healthcare workers, police officers, criminal justice system staff, mentors, youth serving organizations, and other adults to employ this effective approach, the negative impacts of childhood trauma can be effectively mitigated and trauma-related loss can be prevented.  We also know that by building peer supports through engaging activities such as the arts and kayaking that we can begin to nurture relational health, the connections needed for thriving and flourishing.  Furthermore, by investing in our youth and community leaders who will pass along these learned, trauma-informed care concepts to their peers, we can work to create sustainable, positive change in our communities for future generations.