WAUNAKEE, Wis. — A community group is working to support anyone dealing with mental illness or substance use disorders.

Waunakee Project Brave is focused on providing a shoulder to lean on for anyone who needs it. The group was founded by Kerri Kane.

“My family was in a dark season, and we lived here in Waunakee,” Kane said. “During this dark season, one of our kids was struggling with mental health issues. And I was so alone. I didn’t know what to do. I felt ashamed.”

Now, Project Brave hosts informal support groups, bands together when Waunakee residents need support, and puts on speeches at events and schools. It includes local leaders, people in recovery and those who have lost a loved one to mental illness or substance abuse.

On Monday mornings, the group meets at M&M’s in Waunakee. Anyone is welcome.

“It’s a safe place to be together. You don’t have to be affiliated with any certain faith or religion,” Kane said. “We all come different from different backgrounds, and we just provide a safe place for everyone to open up and communicate.”

There’s also a Project Brave Band. Original music focuses on recovery, redemption and togetherness.

“The other day I was having a kind of a big funk. I got an email that was not something I wanted to hear,” said Waunakee Project Brave Vice President Scott Mooney. “I ended up going down and practicing some of the songs for our event coming up, and after playing for a half an hour, it just completely transformed.”

It’s on a mission to ensure everyone in Waunakee knows they’re not alone.

“I’ve struggled myself with anxiety, depression,” Kane said. “When you know that you’ve overcome something, you want to help other people. It’s the best medicine.”

Project Brave’s yearly event is Feb. 18. For more information, click here.