Five REITs are working to increase awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) through the installation of more than 8,400 ‘Signs of HOPE’ across shopping centers located across the country.
The REITs taking part are Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE: BRX), Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM), Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG), Regency Centers Corp . (Nasdaq: REG), and Urban Edge Properties (NYSE: UE), alongside two other open-air shopping center owners. They are partnering with the 988 Lifeline and its administrator, Vibrant Emotional Health.
Installation of the metal signs, primarily on parking lot light poles, began in September, with full roll-out expected by year-end 2024. The reflective signs, visible at all hours, highlight the multiple ways to reach the 988 Lifeline and its mental health services.
The 988 Lifeline is a national network of over 215 local crisis centers that provides 24/7 emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress via phone, text, and chat.
“Working together, we can substantially elevate awareness of this critical life-saving hotline for our consumers who visit our grocery-anchored centers frequently for their daily convenience needs,” said Kristen Moore, senior vice president of marketing for Brixmor. Jan Hanak, vice president of marketing and communications at Regency, noted that “connecting with our communities is one of Regency’s core values.”
Jennifer Maisch, vice president of marketing for Kimco, said “with every ‘Sign of HOPE’ we put up, we hope to remind individuals that they're not alone, and support is always available.” Bryan McCarthy, senior vice president, corporate marketing and communications for Kite, added that “we are incredibly proud to partner with our open-air shopping center peers, ‘Signs of HOPE’, and the 988 Lifeline to create a wide-reaching and lasting impact on mental health and wellbeing.”
Coleen Conklin, vice president of marketing for Urban Edge, said the REIT "aims to make a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve in a variety of ways.”