AFSP Long Island Hosts 8th Annual Pups & Peeps Loop the Trails Dog Walk
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On Saturday, June 22nd, AFSP Long Island hosted it's 8th annual Pups & Peeps Loop the Trails dog walk at the beautiful Sands Point Preserve. The Pups and Peeps Loop the Trails Dog Walk began in 2017 in loving memory of Port Washington resident Flavio Barbosa and has grown into a community event raising awareness and funds for mental health education and suicide prevention efforts. This year, we were joined by The Ruff Life mobile grooming to offer nail trimming to our furry participants and Sweet Luv food truck for tasty treats for our peeps! North Shore Animal League America joined us with some adorable adoptable dogs as well! It was a hot but beautiful day and together we were able to raise over $10,000 for suicide prevention! Thank you to everyone who registered, donated, fundraised, and walked with us!
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Featured Program:
L.E.T.S. Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities
L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities is a presentation created in concert with an Advisory Committee of experts in Black and African American mental health and suicide prevention, designed to reduce cultural stigma, foster conversations about mental health, and raise awareness of suicide prevention for individuals who identify as Black or African American. While the program is designed for Black and African American audiences, it is open to anyone (18+) who wishes to attend. The program is grounded in research and delivered by trained presenters who identify as having lived experience within Black and African American Communities.
Participants will:
- Learn the scope of suicide among the Black and African American population
- Understand the racial and systemic factors that impact suicide in the Black and African American communities
- Identify suicide risk and protective factors for Black and African American communities
- Recognize warning signs of suicide
- Gain confidence in talking to someone in suicidal distress
- Learn how to connect someone with help
Participants will receive education on mental health and suicide prevention through activity-based learning, and take-home materials to use if needed in the future. The goal of this new program is to create conversations in Black communities around mental health and encourage help-seeking to prevent suicide and suicide attempts.
AFSP is committed to the equitable practice of ensuring programs are developed by the communities in which to serve. Therefore, this program was created by an Advisory Committee of experts in Black and African American mental health and suicide prevention, researchers, clinicians, survivors of suicide loss as well as those with lived experience. The visual design was developed in partnership with Joy Collective, a Black and woman-owned cultural marketing agency.
Interested in becoming a trained presenter for this program? Contact our Programs Manager, Katie Deitz, to find out more about getting trained: kdeitz@afsp.org
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We offer several free programs for suicide prevention, suitable for your workplace, school, faith-based center, health group, and more. Please fill out our Program Request Form to bring one of these free programs to your community! |
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Volunteer Spotlight: Colleen Giordano
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You might recognize Colleen from AFSP LI's Instagram page as she is one of our chapter's social media ambassadors. Colleen is constantly working in the background to produce new content for our social media pages, acquire new followers, and help promote our upcoming events and intiatives. In addition to managing our social media pages, Colleen is also the team captain of Team Rainbow, the LGBTQ Community Team for the Long Island Walk this year! We asked Colleen to share with us what inspired her to get involved with AFSP and what volunteering means to her:
"Volunteering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has been a deeply personal journey for me, one that began at the age of 15 during the Jones Beach Walk. Having faced my own struggles with mental health, I found solace in advocating for others who may not feel as comfortable speaking out. With a few friends also navigating similar challenges, I became determined to demonstrate that it’s okay not to be okay. This passion only grew after completing my undergraduate degree in public relations, where I saw an opportunity to leverage my skills for a cause I deeply believe in. Beyond my love for social media's impactful reach, my motivation lies in showing individuals that their lives are worth living. Through AFSP, I continue to advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, hoping to inspire others to embrace their struggles and seek support."
We are so grateful to have you as part of our team, Colleen! Thank you for all that you do!
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Want to get more involved with AFSP Long Island?
We have a wide variety of ways to get involved! Learn more about volunteering with us: |
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Questions about volunteering? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Katrina Zendrain, at afsplongisland@gmail.com. Ready to get involved? Fill out a volunteer application today to get started: |
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Join our Out of the Darkness Walks Committee!
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Are you interested in taking on a bigger role with AFSP Long Island's Out of the Darkness Walks and want to be a part of the planning process? Do you have great ideas and enjoy engaging the community in helping to reduce the stigma around mental health? Join our Out of the Darkness Walks Committee! The Walks Committee holds 1.5 hour meetings monthly from May-October (many of which are virtual!) and is responsible for planning the two Out of the Darkness Walks on Long Island. Click the button below to register for the next virtual Walks Committee meeting and see what it's all about! |
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Fundraising Event Spotlight: Society's Dogs Benefit Concert
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On Saturday, July 27th, Society's Dogs will be hosting their second annual benefit concert for AFSP. The idea for the concert was born from a desire to recognize and honor two of their friends who died by suicide several years ago as well as the younger brother of one of the band members, who was killed by police during an incident in which he was in a suicidal frame of mind. Last year's concert raised thousands of dollars for AFSP and many people shared their previously untold stories of loved-ones who were impacted by suicide or near-suicide events.
The theme of this year's concert is "You are Not Alone" and Society's Dogs look forward to a great event that encourages everyone to remind themselves to say "you are not alone" to themselves in the mirror and to everyone they know. There will be a 50/50 as well as raffle prizes. There is a $10 cover charge for the event, and all proceeds from the event will benefit AFSP. Details can be found below in our Upcoming Events section.
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Planning a fundraiser for your team and want it highlighted in our newsletter, social media, or posted on our upcoming events calendar? Let us know! Reach out to Katie, our Programs Manager, with more info about your event at kdeitz@afsp.org |
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Click on each event image to learn more/register for event! |
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Society's Dogs Benefit Concert
Saturday, July 27th, 2024
The Nutty Irishman
323 Main Street, Farmingdale, NY
Event Time: 2:00-6:00 pm
Come out for an afternoon of fun and great music by Society's Dogs at their second annual benefit concert at The Nutty Irishman in Farmingdale! All proceeds with benefit AFSP Long Island. |
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East End Out of the Darkness Walk
Sunday, September 22nd, 2024
Smith Point County Park, Shirley, NY
Registration begins: 8:30 am
Event time: 10:00 am
Join us on Long Island's East End to walk Out of the Darkness! Register as a participant or a team today! All are welcome!
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Long Island Out of the Darkness Walk
Sunday, October 27th, 2024
Jones Beach Field #5, Wantagh, NY
Registration begins: 8:30 am
Event time: 10:00 am
Join us at Jones Beach to walk Out of the Darkness! Register as a participant or a team today! All are welcome!
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Want to stay up-to-date with AFSP LI? Follow us on social media! |
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