Birdie Lou Tatum passed away peacefully in December 2025, leaving behind a life defined by kindness, humility, and care for others. As we approach what would have been her 97th birthday, we are honoring her legacy by ensuring free mental health therapy remains available to those who need it most.
The Birdie Lou Counseling Center provides completely free therapy to individuals and families in our community. To sustain these services this year, we must raise $97,000.
Every gift helps keep healing accessible and her legacy alive.
The Sierra Meadows Foundation is dedicated to restoring hope and alleviating suffering for uninsured and under-resourced families in California's Central Valley. By addressing mental health and communication challenges, we empower individuals and create brighter futures, while also developing a skilled behavioral health workforce to meet the region's growing needs.
We envision a Central Valley where every individual has equitable access to the behavioral health care they need and deserve. Through Birdie Lou Counseling Center and Encourage Speech Services for Children, we offer completely free mental health and speech therapy services—without the need for insurance—ensuring that care is accessible to everyone, regardless of financial or systemic barriers.
Founded by Dr. Matthew Tatum, CEO of Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health, the Sierra Meadows Foundation is a community benefit organization committed to creating lasting change and promoting wellness across our community.

Offers free mental health therapy for adults and children while providing a hands-on training site for future clinicians completing their hours for licensure.

Free speech therapy for children ages 18 months to 15 years, supporting their communication development to prevent future social and behavioral challenges.
