Avielle Rose Richman was born in San Diego, California, on October 17th, 2006, into a family of storytellers. With a spitfire personality, and a love of laughter, Avielle was rarely without a giant grin and often barefoot. Like her parents, she loved stories and demanded them as she was falling asleep, taking a bath, riding in the car, and on every walk she took. She already understood that her life, her growing up, was going to be a series of stories.

A Brief History 

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The Avielle Foundation was created in 2013 by Jennifer Hensel and Jeremy Richman after the death of their daughter Avielle, along with 25 of her peers and educators in the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. The Foundation emerged as a leader in building compassion and violence prevention by funding research, educational programs, events, and helping to train the next generation of scientists. The Avielle Foundation has benefited countless individuals and communities, especially those living in and around Newtown. The tragedy was further compounded by Jeremy’s death in 2019. To ensure Avielle’s name and legacy live on, the foundation formed a new partnership, with the University of Colorado, Anschutz Campus in 2020, establishing the Avielle Initiative. , and now under the Brain and Behavior Innovation Center at CU Anschutz. The partnership between The partnership between CU Anschutz and the Avielle Foundation grew out of the recognition that our organizations approach work with deep passion, enduring hope, and unflinching dedication. We share a belief that real change can happen when organizations and communities work together to develop and implement science-driven solutions to promote brain health, create compassion and ultimately reduce violence. 

Avielle Initiative Seed Grant for Brain Health Research and Innovation

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In 2023 the Brain and Behavior Innovation Center in the Department of Psychiatry launched the first annual call for proposal for the Avielle Initiative Seed Grant for Brain Health Research and Innovation. The grant supports cutting-edge brain health research across all stages of the translational science spectrum that will further Avielle’s legacy and goals of building compassion and/or preventing violence.

COMING SOON: Links for application and links for donations

The Jeremy Richman Brain Health Internship and Fellowship 

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We support the careers of young scientists through the endowment of the Jeremy Richman Brain Health Internship and Fellowship. Young scientists interested in brain health will inform the development of technology products and programs focused on building compassion and preventing violence. The internship will be awarded annually to an applicant of PURPLE whose interests and research activities align with and honor the mission of the Avielle Initiative. 

COMING SOON: Links for application and links for donations