Recipient of the 2024 Youth Leadership Award

Congratulations to Colin Zimmer of UTK Sources of Strength for winning the Youth Leadership Award at the 11th Annual Community Champion Awards. This award is given to a “rising star” in the area of substance misuse prevention. The nominee should be a youth or teen trailblazer under 25.

About Colin

Colin Zimmer is a junior at the University of Tennessee studying business management with a double minor in psychology and social entrepreneurship from Marietta, Georgia.

On September 28th, 2022 he brought the national program on Sources of Strength to not only the UTK Campus but the whole state of Tennessee. This club was the first one to exist in the state from over 6000 chapters nationwide, ultimately kickstarting the movement of this program for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network and the Contact Care Line. The program is a best-practice mental health promotion and suicide prevention program designed to harness the power of peer social networks to create healthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse.

Sources of Strength works on campus to promote wellbeing initiatives as students stand up for students such as tabling events, thankfulness events, working with non-profits, working with departments, and more. His suicide prevention efforts also go into his various individual initiatives such as his most famous one as The UTK Elf, and his efforts working with student government and going to different community meetings.

Word From Colin‘s Nomination

Colin’s work has positively influenced the Knoxville community by promoting open conversations around mental health and substance misuse, particularly through his involvement in Sources of Strength at the University of Tennessee. His advocacy encourages students and community members to seek support without stigma, creating a safer space for those facing challenges. Colin’s outreach extends to supporting local organizations, where he spreads messages of resilience, helping foster a culture where prioritizing mental health and seeking help are seen as strengths. I have no doubt that his efforts have created a safe space for others to approach substance misuse and mental health with empathy and understanding.

Thank you, Colin, for the important work you are doing in the Knoxville community!