Great meetings in Westchester talking with orgs asking @SISFI to provide #suicide awareness & prevention support, workshops and training for their communities, members and orgs. One of the meetings was with Mr. Scott Havelka, program director of services for The LOFT, an #LGBTQ org that provides programs and services for the LGBTQ community. We talked about SISFI and our programs and service, and the need for mental health services and support for their members. They lost 4 members to suicide over the past few years so this is a big concern for them. They have a beautiful facility which is part of a church and they offered us a possible office space to work out of there. That will be awesome for us to have an office in White Plains so we can serve the communities closer to their homes. They have a huge auditorium which I immediately envisioned hosting the Westchester Suicide Awareness and Prevention Conference since we have been looking for a suitable venue. I suggested it to Mr. Havelka and he was excited about it. He is looking into the approval for the space for us to host the event there. We look forward to working with the him to implement suicide support groups and training for the staff and community members. Then we had a great meeting with Ms. Alice Joselow, president of the Ossining Public Library as we discussed suicide prevention needs of the community and plans to role out training for community members. Were also planning An Evening with Suicide Attempt Survivors event to listen and learn from them as we better prepare to assist people in distress/crisis. She is very receptive to the need for more hands on support services for people on crisis with suicide ideations or those who have attempted. They have an amazing auditorium at the library thats simply breathtaking. We look forward to working with her on training and support initiatives. While at the library I met the new Mayor of Ossining and we talked briefly. She heard about us and our work and will be coming out to our brunch on Sat. Jan. 31st at the Ossining Public Library. She is interested in meeting with us to discuss our work in more details. Im looking forward to it. Our presence in Westchester is becoming more visible as our Suicide Behavioral First Aid Response Units are roled out across NY state. We have been receiving suicide distress calls from Ossining and Tarrytown so we know there is a great need for our services there on top of what is already happening. A very special Thank You to Ms. Amy for coordinating the meetings and helping to bring our work into the Hudson Valley communities. She is a suicide survivor and supports our work and the human connections it provides for people. Much Love Always for the support sis. Love You. I am humbled and honored at the opportunities that are being opened up for us to do our work in touching and saving lives from suicide, depression and mental health crisis. So many people are hurting, struggling and suffering in crisis and distress and losing faith and hope from it. As we continue building on our efforts to help those in need, we continue our self-care, healing and wellness. I stay committed, dedicated and patient to the ministry and assignment. Feeling fulfilled and drained from a great day so heading home to NYC now to power down. #OneLove
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 01:51:07 +0000
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