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Executive Director Reflections:
What Connects Me to Samaritans' Mission
"I come from a family of volunteers where giving back was not just expected, it was viewed as an opportunity. Along with some innate traits and interests, I believe it's what led me to a rewarding career in the nonprofit sector, with stops in for-profit work along the way. At the heart of why Samaritans means so much to me is that I believe that everyone has a right to feel safe, to know they belong, and to be recognized and respected."
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Meet our 2020 Boston Marathon
® team (pt. 2)
The
Samaritans 2020 Boston Marathon team
is off to a record-breaking start, with more than $151,000 raised toward our team goal of $180,000 and 66 days to go! Each month leading up to the big day, we'll be highlighting members of our outstanding team. This month,
Caroline
,
Casey
,
Doug
, and
Jacqui
share their experiences preparing for the 2020 Boston Marathon and stories of their loved ones lost to suicide.
Caroline, who lost her mom, remarks, "Recently, I was driving my 8-year-old niece somewhere and I found myself reach back at a red light to give her knee a little squeeze just to say hello. It was something my mom used to do to me as a kid on long car rides and I had completely forgotten about it until I found myself doing the same exact thing. It brought back such a small but vivid memory of my mom. I think it's the little reminders like that which feel so rare and out-of-the-blue, but so special to remember." Read more about our runners and their fond memories in our new blog.
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Annual Memorial delivers messages of comfort and hope
To all of the suicide loss survivors who gathered with us at the Annual Memorial to remember your loved ones, we thank you for sharing your stories, letters, songs, and poems, as well as your comfort to other survivors. If you are a loss survivor who was not able to make it to the Annual Memorial but would like support from our Grief Support Services, please know we are always here for you.
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Run the TCS New York City Marathon for Samaritans
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Suicide prevention in the workplace
It is important to notice changes in the behavior of those in your life which may suggest risk for suicide or other mental health problems. We understand how challenging these conversations can be, especially in the workplace. We aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for discussion with your colleagues. This month, we had the pleasure of presenting our suicide prevention workshop to 130 people at PwC! Thanks to their Healthy Living Group for organizing!
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Training a new class of helpline volunteers
While they may share no prior training, our helpline volunteers connect with our mission of preventing suicide though compassionate listening, follow our model of not giving advice, practice open and honest communication, attend our 26-hour in-class training, and complete learning shifts with their mentors. The more trained volunteers we have, the more people we can serve. A warm welcome to our newest class of Befrienders, seen in action during training here!
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Guest blog: Be beautifully simply you
In our new guest blog series, we invite folks with lived experiences of suicidality to share the stories of their pain and healing. In this month's post, Ivy Watts, founder of
Beautifully Simply You, shares how her feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness contributed to suicidal thoughts, and the steps of self love she took to regain her life.
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Join Samaritans' staff!
Ready to work to prevent suicide? We are growing! We have three positions open and we want your application! Apply for our Leadership Gifts Officer, HR Specialist, or Overnight Helpline Coordinator roles.
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February 18, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
Industrious Seaport Boston
February 23, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Title Boxing Club, Saugus
February 26, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
Splitsville, Howl at the Moon, & Topgolf Swing Suite
February 29, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
The Bell In Hand Tavern, Boston
Win a photo safari trip to South Africa
Our Marathon Team is raffling off two incredible trips for a photo safari in South Africa. You can enjoy the trip of a lifetime and be amazed by the beautiful nature and majestic animals that South Africa has to offer.
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