Problem

The existing site had fallen behind what the organization had become. The work spanned two locations, several distinct programs, an events calendar, a mental health resource library, a blog, and an online store, and none of it had a clear route in from the homepage. The two things the organization most needed people to do, donate and register for events, were not obvious. And for a mental health nonprofit the accessibility bar is not a finishing touch: the site had to work for someone arriving in distress, on a phone, on whatever device they happened to have.

Solution

A WordPress rebuild organised around the two actions that matter. The homepage leads with donation and registration calls to action and an interactive preview of upcoming events, and distinguishes between the organization's two locations. Programs stay legible side by side: REBUILD therapy vouchers for justice-impacted individuals, Find Me a Therapist, wellness workshops, and the live events. The events page carries filtering and registration that works on a phone. The resource library organises mental health materials with real search rather than a list of links. The store was rebuilt for clearer product display and a shorter checkout. Donations, newsletter capture, and volunteer, sponsor, and vendor enquiries each get their own route in. Arts programming, including the video series and visual albums, is embedded directly rather than handed off to a third-party player. Accessibility was treated as a requirement rather than a polish item, built against WCAG 2.1, with palette and typography chosen for readability first.

Details

Darkness RISING Project

Overview

Developed a mission-driven WordPress site for Darkness RISING Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leveraging the power of the arts to support Black and marginalized communities' mental health. The site serves as a central platform for programs like REBUILD, Find Me a Therapist, wellness workshops, resources, and live arts events, all built to foster dialogue, healing, and access to care.

Key Features

- 🎭 Programs Portal – Clear engagement paths for REBUILD (therapy vouchers for justice-impacted individuals), Find Me a Therapist, wellness workshops, and live events - 🧠 Mental Health Tools – Downloadable Black Mental Health Resource Packet and a growing provider database - 🎨 Arts & Mental Health Content – Inspirational video series (Music & Mental Health), visual albums, and storytelling through embedded media - 🎪 Events Activation – Event info with calls to volunteer, sponsor, or become a vendor for "Darkness RISING: Live" block parties and concerts - 💬 Impact & Testimonials – Featured quotes from community members reflecting on healing journeys and event experiences - 🤝 Engagement Tools – Donation integration via MightyCause, newsletter signups, volunteer & partnership inquiry forms (Mailchimp, Tripetto)

Technical Implementation

- WordPress Framework – Content-rich CMS with hierarchical pages, forms, media embedding, and user flows for program navigation. - Third-Party Integrations – MightyCause for donations, Tripetto and Mailchimp for forms and newsletter capture, embedded video players for media experiences. - Performance & SEO – Structured content with accessible navigation, optimized media assets, and assumed analytics for tracking engagement (GA4, clarity tools). - Resource Delivery – PDF asset (2024 Impact Report) hosted and made accessible via site content.

Impact

- Amplified program visibility - including nationwide toolkits and mental health connection pathways. - Strengthened community engagement through events, arts activation, and healing-centered dialogues. - Provided accessible mental health support and resources for Black and marginalized communities. - Demonstrated transparency and social impact through reports, testimonials, and measurable outcomes.

👉 Visit the live site to explore the intersection of creativity and healing firsthand!