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"W
ords could never express what the experience meant to me, nor could they express the gratitude I have for Samaritans -- for believing in me and for allowing me to be a part of your team
." -
Davia Rae Moore, 2015 Samaritans Marathon runner
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Meet the Samaritans 2018 Boston Marathon Team (Part 5)
With less than a week until Race Day,
Samaritans 2018 Boston Marathon Team
continues to ramp up fundraising and finalize training efforts, with more than $116,000 raised toward our team goal of $145,000! The 14 dedicated individuals on this team are loss survivors, volunteers, and people that have benefited from our Helpline. They are taking on 26.2 miles to raise funds and support
Samaritans' programs and services
. In our final Marathon highlight, check out our Q&A session with Samantha and Gretchen about the homestretch of their training.
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Grief After Suicide Workshops
The suicide of a loved one can have a profound and sometimes devastating impact on the family, friends, and communities left behind. Bereavement after suicide may entail high levels of disorientation, guilt, regret, anger, and trauma. People bereaved by suicide (sometimes called suicide loss survivors) may also struggle with the social stigma placed on suicide. Survivors can be at risk for elevated rates of complicated grief and suicidality themselves. All of this makes surviving the suicide of a loved one a potentially life-changing ordeal that requires all of the resilience that a survivor can muster, and all the support and understanding that family and community can provide.
 Presented by John R. Jordan, Ph.D, our upcoming Grief After Suicide workshops will draw on the presenter's years of experience as a grief counselor specializing in work with suicide loss survivors to describe the remarkable pathways of healing that survivors and communities can travel. Geared towards people who are grieving a loss to suicide, the goal is to help participants to better understand suicide and the grief that may happen when a suicide occurs. Workshops will be offered in Quincy, Worcester, Boston, and Needham. Click the "Register for a workshop" button below to view dates and locations.
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Support Group for Individuals
Living with a Loved One Who Has Attempted Suicide
This group aims to provide a space for individuals to talk openly with others who are dealing with the complicated emotions following a loved one's suicide attempt or disclosure of suicidal ideation. Our hope is to provide individuals supporting a suicide attempt survivor or a loved one struggling with suicidality an opportunity to join a community of peers who can understand; it is a space to share their personal experiences and to learn healthy coping skills while supporting their loved ones in their daily lives.
Those interested in participating must complete an intake by phone with one of the group facilitators and commit to attending all six sessions. There is no fee for participation. Sessions will take place every Tuesday evening, beginning May 8 and ending June 12, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Needham.
Contact Debbie DiMasi, Director of Grief Support Services, to begin the intake process at
[email protected]
- 617-536-2460 ext. 5237.
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The annual Breakfast for Hope showcases our life saving work, while raising vital funds for suicide prevention
.
For the 600 guests of the event, there is no better way to appreciate the impact our services have on the lives of others
. Marylou Sudders, MSW, ACSW, Secretary, Executive Office of Health and Human Services and Joseph D. Feaster, Jr., of Counsel, McKenzie & Associates P.C., Samaritans Council Member are the featured speakers.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Westin Copley Place, Boston
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An inspiring story from last year's Breakfast for Hope
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Welcome to our 15 new Crisis Center volunteers! C
ongratulations on completing your training, Befrienders! We are thankful to you for investing your time and energy to support suicide prevention.
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Busy Month for Community Education & Outreach
In March, the Community Education and Outreach (CEO) team conducted 60 workshops across the region, discussing suicide prevention with nearly 1,200 youth and more than 160 adults. Six of these workshops took place in Boston's Fenway High School, where 100 9th
graders and their teachers learned about warning signs and risk factors of suicide. With the high school's enrollment of just 360 youth, the CEO team was able to share resources and insight with a large percentage of the student body. B
ecause of the success of our workshops in the 9th grade, Fenway is now looking to bring Samaritans to the 10th and 11th grades!
Per Fenway High School's 2017 Annual Report, "Most of our students are students of color. Most come from families earning less than $50,000 a year. Many are recent immigrants. Too many are struggling with serious personal and life challenges. They're only 14 when they come to us, but already they worry that their opportunities for a better life may be limited."
We are grateful to Fenway High School for providing a safe forum for students to
u
nderstand these emotions and feel less alone.
We are happy to provide training for any group, and encourage you to schedule a workshop for your organization.
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Experience the
Magic of Africa
Win a photo safari trip to South Africa while supporting the Samaritans Marathon Team! Your ticket gives you a chance to win a trip for two to spend six days and nights at Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge or Zulu Nyala Tented Safari Lodge. With fewer than 200 tickets sold, you have an excellent chance of winning! We will draw two winners at the Marathon Team After Party on Monday, April 16th, and notify the winners by email.
$50 for 1 ticket or $100 for 3 tickets.
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Saturday, September 29, 2018
Artesani Park, Brighton, MA
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Join us on September 29th as we mark 20 years of celebrating life at the Samaritans 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention!
Register today
to remember and celebrate our loved ones, reduce the stigma of suicide and mental illness, and save lives through suicide prevention.
Save $5 through May 31st with a special Early Bird rate of $35 for walkers and runners. Register your team in April and receive an additional $5 off. All pre-registered walkers, runners, and volunteers will receive a 20th anniversary event t-shirt.
We run for those we remember. We walk for those we love. We come together to make a difference.
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Upcoming Events
Boston Marathon
Monday, April 16
at Mile 17 to support Samaritans' runners
American Association of Suicidology National Conference
Wednesday, April 18 to Saturday, April 21 in Washington DC
**Samaritans' Director of Grief Support Services, Debbie DiMasi, to present!**
Wednesday, May 2 and Thursday, May 3 at The Sheraton Framingham Hotel
**Samaritans' Director of Grief Support Services, Debbie DiMasi, and Manager of Grief Support Services, Emily Britt, to present!**
Thursday, May 10 from 7:00-9:00 a.m. at the Westin Copley Place in Boston
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Career and Internship Opportunities
- Volunteer Coordinator (full-time Tuesday-Saturday)
- Special Events Intern
- Crisis Services Intern
- Community Education and Outreach Intern
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