Greg Goodman organized MeadowFest in Austin to honor his daughter and support youth mental health.
AUSTIN, Texas — On any given weekday, you’ll find Greg Goodman behind the counter at Flora, a cozy coffee shop tucked into North Austin. For many people, it’s a go-to café. For Goodman, it’s a refuge during a time of unimaginable loss.
“Everyone thinks their child is special,” Goodman said. “But Meadow was very unique. She just kind of lit up the room.”
Meadow Goodman was 15 years old when she died by suicide. Diagnosed a year earlier with major depressive disorder, she followed a standard course of treatment that included inpatient and outpatient care, as well as prescribed antidepressants.
One evening, after what Goodman recalls as a hopeful night of conversation about her future, Meadow took her own life.
“The next morning we found her. I found her. And it was absolutely the most devastating thing that I’ve ever been through,” he said.
Since Meadow Goodman’s death, Goodman and his family have been working to transform their grief into purpose — something he believes his daughter would have embraced.
“We miss her terribly,” Goodman said. “And we want to prevent this from happening to anybody else.”
Music was a central part of Meadow Goodman’s life. She began playing piano before falling in love with drums — the last instrument she played.
To honor his daughter’s memory, Goodman is organizing the second annual MeadowFest, a music festival dedicated to celebrating creativity, raising awareness about youth mental health and supporting causes close to Meadow Goodman’s heart.
The event returns on Saturday at the Far Out Lounge and Stage on South Congress Avenue in Austin.
Last year, MeadowFest raised $40,000 for two local nonprofits: the SIMS Foundation -which provides mental health services to musicians and their families- and OutYouth Austin, which supports LGBTQ+ youth.
“We talk about Meadow all the time,” Goodman said. “She is in our lives. She will always be in our lives. So what we’re doing in Meadow’s name is just an extension of keeping her memory alive.”
This year’s event will feature live performances, a child-friendly zone and opportunities to connect with community organizations. All proceeds will again benefit the SIMS Foundation and OutYouth Austin.
You can find more information or donate here.