I have decided to start a donation page for Suicide Awareness due to my personal encounters in 2014. I have to admit, that “I never saw it coming”.  I have spent numerous years working with the adolescent age group. I have previously worked in a Juvenile Jail, 2 Youth Shelters and now a Probation House for teenage girls. A little more than a year and a half ago, I found out that a previous resident of mine had taken her life.. she left behind her twin, family and friends. Suicide is real, and it happens every day! The 40th Annual National Suicide Prevention Week is vastly approaching: September 8th - 14th, 2014. My GOAL is to raise $2,500.00 to fund research, education, prevention, advocacy and survivor programs to assist those affected by suicide.

Back in January, I had a life changing experience at one of my programs. One of the children within my program had attempted Suicide. The individual was found by a coworker and as a team, WE were able to save them.. I left work that night with mixed emotions and had a lot of questions that there just weren’t answers too. One minute I was angry, the next I felt confused and sad.. But at the end of it all.. I reminded myself that as a team, We had saved a life together!

“If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you.. Don’t ever give up!”

A few months later, another person in my life committed suicide. They left behind so much. This individual was one of the funniest people I have ever met. He had a contagious laugh and was known to be quite the prankster. It was a privilege to know him.. and I want him to know that WE will never forget..

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.” -Robert Fulghum