The Verity Project
Overview & Approach
When we first met with N’Gina Guyton, founder and South restaurateur, she laid out the alarming mental health data emerging from the food services industry and the deeply painful experiences she had recently experienced with friends and colleagues. After that initial meeting, our team was impassioned and committed to supporting N’Gina on her mission to provide accessible and affordable mental health resources for those folks in the industry who are most vulnerable to the pressures of restaurant work.
Naming
Knowing the incredible importance and impact of N’Gina and her co-founder’s, Dr. Brenda Vaccaro, work in this space, it was critical that their organization’s mission and intent were clearly communicated through its name. Inspired by N’Gina and Brenda’s desire to provide a safe space for stigma-free support, The Verity Project reflects this unbending commitment to authenticity and honesty.
Knowing the incredible importance and impact of N’Gina and her co-founder’s, Dr. Brenda Vaccaro, work in this space, it was critical that their organization’s mission and intent were clearly communicated through its name. Inspired by N’Gina and Brenda’s desire to provide a safe space for stigma-free support, The Verity Project reflects this unbending commitment to authenticity and honesty.
Brand Identity
The logo explores the notion of turning an idea on its head and taking a new approach to a topic that needs and deserves attention. It’s flexible and dynamic, allowing content to exist between “Verity” and “Project”. Highlighting content that lives in the center, even if it’s just negative space, expresses an open-minded, comforting, and inclusive space that is much needed in the restaurant industry. 70’s inspired brand colors are a complementing balance of bold and calming. Like the logo, other typographic phrases, such as Real Talk, use the same system of reversing and flipping the second word ultimately creating a unified visual language unique to the project.
The logo explores the notion of turning an idea on its head and taking a new approach to a topic that needs and deserves attention. It’s flexible and dynamic, allowing content to exist between “Verity” and “Project”. Highlighting content that lives in the center, even if it’s just negative space, expresses an open-minded, comforting, and inclusive space that is much needed in the restaurant industry. 70’s inspired brand colors are a complementing balance of bold and calming. Like the logo, other typographic phrases, such as Real Talk, use the same system of reversing and flipping the second word ultimately creating a unified visual language unique to the project.
Brand Messaging
As we worked together with N’Gina to develop marketing materials for the launch of The Verity Project, we wanted to make sure that her charming, no-bullshit style was reflected throughout all of the brand’s touchpoints – whether it be pins, matchbooks, or postcards. Each aspect of the brand is designed to normalize talking about mental health and fuel changing the conversation surrounding this topic, especially in the restaurant industry. Sometimes showing up is just too much, and tools such as the postcards offer an opportunity for individuals to express what may otherwise be difficult to communicate.
As we worked together with N’Gina to develop marketing materials for the launch of The Verity Project, we wanted to make sure that her charming, no-bullshit style was reflected throughout all of the brand’s touchpoints – whether it be pins, matchbooks, or postcards. Each aspect of the brand is designed to normalize talking about mental health and fuel changing the conversation surrounding this topic, especially in the restaurant industry. Sometimes showing up is just too much, and tools such as the postcards offer an opportunity for individuals to express what may otherwise be difficult to communicate.
Impact
Since its launch in January 2020, The Verity Project has adapted swiftly and successfully to respond to the evolving needs of foodservice industry employees whose lives and work have been profoundly disrupted by COVID-19. While social distancing has been critical for combating the virus, it also has created financial and logistical barriers for employees to engage in the high-quality, direct mental health services often necessary for support during this time of remarkable adjustment, uncertainty, and stress. Verity has answered these concerns by shifting its focus toward subsidizing therapeutic connection and compassionate care via e-therapy.
Since its launch in January 2020, The Verity Project has adapted swiftly and successfully to respond to the evolving needs of foodservice industry employees whose lives and work have been profoundly disrupted by COVID-19. While social distancing has been critical for combating the virus, it also has created financial and logistical barriers for employees to engage in the high-quality, direct mental health services often necessary for support during this time of remarkable adjustment, uncertainty, and stress. Verity has answered these concerns by shifting its focus toward subsidizing therapeutic connection and compassionate care via e-therapy.
At only $40 per visit, employees can access 10 individual sessions per year with a mental health professional who specializes in anxiety, depression, and substance abuse—the leading mental health concerns reported by those working in the foodservice industry. Verity will pick up the rest of the tab (nearly 75% of the average cost per session). Verity also is expecting to rekindle its affordable ($10/session) therapeutic groups and workshops this summer with an eye on accommodating COVID safety measures through online support if needed.
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To get involved as a partner, donor, or volunteer, you can learn more here
At only $40 per visit, employees can access 10 individual sessions per year with a mental health professional who specializes in anxiety, depression, and substance abuse—the leading mental health concerns reported by those working in the foodservice industry. Verity will pick up the rest of the tab (nearly 75% of the average cost per session). Verity also is expecting to rekindle its affordable ($10/session) therapeutic groups and workshops this summer with an eye on accommodating COVID safety measures through online support if needed.
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To get involved as a partner, donor, or volunteer, you can learn more here
Website Design by Theadora Kaiser
Photography by Jeffrey LaTour
Website Design by Theadora Kaiser
Photography by Jeffrey LaTour