AFSP - WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER

Late Summer/Early Fall Newsletter 2015
Wide AFSP Logo
 
REGISTER FOR THE VERY FIRST BERKSHIRE COUNTY
OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK !!

The AFSP Western MA Chapter is pleased to announce that registration is open for the first-ever Out of the Darkness Walk in Berkshire County! 
Help us support survivor initiatives and suicide prevention programs 
in Berkshire County and beyond. 

We are looking for volunteers to help spread the word about the Walk 
and to also assist the day of the event. 
Interested in volunteering on October 10th? 

Please forward the attached Walk flyer to your friends, family members 
and colleagues! 
 

We truly appreciate the support of Berkshire Community College 
and  the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention.

Saturday, October 10, 2015
Berkshire Community College 
(Patterson Field House)
1350 West Street, Pittsfield
Registration Begins: 9:00am
Walk Starts: 10:30am
 
 
 
Springfield Out of the Darkness Walk
Sunday, September 27, 2015
MassMutual Center
1277 Main Street Springfield
Registration Begins: 8:30am
Opening Ceremony: 10:00am
Walk Starts: 10:45am


PLEASE NOTE - PARKING AT THE SPRINGFIELD PARKING AUTHORITY GARAGE ACROSS FROM THE MASSMUTUAL CENTER WILL BE $3.00



For a $10 donation, bring your dog 
to the  Springfield Walk! 


    
Franklin County Out of the Darkness Walk
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Energy Park
50 Miles Street, Greenfield
Registration Begins: 11:00am
Walk Starts: 12:00pm





INTERESTED IN SUICIDE FIRST AID TRAINING?


September 28 and 29 2015
La Quinta Hotel
100 Congress Street
Springfield MA
Cost $125 per person*
Light lunch and snacks included

Hosted by:
Pioneer Valley Coalition For Suicide Prevention


ASIST is a two-day intensive interactive and practice-dominated course designed to teach suicide first-aid to help a person at risk stay safe and seek further help as needed.
This training is suitable for mental health and medical
professionals, teachers, youth workers, police and correctional staff, clergy, and community volunteers.
"The model is easy to follow and provides caregivers practical steps to use in an intervention!" -ASIST Past Participant

13 CEU's available for SW and LMHC

For application email [email protected] or call 413 586 2016 ext 137 for information. Must register by 09/24/2015
Space Is Limited!

Actual cost of $250 per person subsidized by these Sponsors:

AFSP blue short 
 
Grief and Loss Support 
in Western Mass

 

 

 

Greater Springfield 

in East Longmeadow

Survivors of Suicide Loss

Contact Name: 
Diana & Paul Lewis
(413) 525-7752 

Meeting Place: 

Forestiere-Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., 

East Longmeadow, MA

MeetingDay(s)/Time:

 3rd Mondays every month 

 7:00 to 9:00pm

Peer Facilitated, No Fee

Group does not meet on major holidays

  

Northampton

Surviving A Suicide Loss

Contact Name: 

Geraldine Unger 

(413) 203-1200  [email protected]

Meeting Place: 

Forbes Library 

(Watson Room)

20 West St. 

Northampton, MA 

Meeting Day(s)/Time: 

2nd Tuesday every month 

1:00 - 2:30pm  

  

 

Greenfield 

Surviving Loss of a Teenage 

or Adult Child

Contact Name: John Kick 

(413) 253-9523

 [email protected]

Meeting Place: 

Baystate Franklin 

Medical Center 

164 High St., Greenfield 

Conference Room A

Meeting Day(s)/Time: 1st 

and 3rd Monday every month 

6:00-7:30pm 

 

Pittsfield

Healing After Suicide Loss

Contact Name: Peggy Morse

(413) 441-6316  [email protected]

Meeting Place: 

Brien Center Campus

conference room 

334 Fenn Street, 

Pittsfield, MA

Meeting Day(s)/Time: 

1st Tuesday of every month 

6:00pm to 7:30pm

Peer (Survivor) Facilitated 

No Fee

Fundraising and Fun-Raising for AFSP

It is our experience that the earlier you start fundraising, the more likely you'll meet or exceed your fundraising goals. Here are some tips to help with your fundraising goals:

· Don't hesitate to ASK everyone you know for help! Once you ask, people are very generous and willing to donate.
· Personalize your Walk page and share your story and a photo so people realize how important our mission is to YOU.
· It's more fun to walk with others. Form a Team and continue to build momentum by recruiting more Walkers to your team.
· Ask your Walkers to send emails to their friends, colleagues, classmates and neighbors.
· Embrace the power of social network - Facebook, Twitter, myspace, Linkedin and other social online groups have worked fundraising wonders for many.
· We have flyers that we can send you that you can print and hand out to friends and family when you see them. Just email us and we'll send you the forms.
Over the two months, we suggest you plan some Fun-Raising events with your team. This gives you a chance to get the community involved and raises awareness about our mission. Plus, the proceeds will be deposited toward your team total. Some ideas:
  • Car wash, Yard sale, Bake sale, Lemonade stand
  • Halloween Party/Candy Sale
  • Specialty Shopping Night such as Bag Parties, Jewelry and Entertainment Parties.
  • Portion of Sales Events at Local Restaurants

 
Join the Western Mass Chapter Page on Facebook
Please LIKE the Western Mass Chapter Facebook page. It is the ideal way to regularly stay connected to upcoming events, goings on and any other important Chapter news!


Any Questions?
Please email Cheryl Ronzoni, Western Mass Associate Area Director or call 413-387-3770