Dear Friends,

Since our January 19, 2001 fundraising event, we have spent many hours researching North America, in particular Arizona and British Columbia, for all organizations, foundations, programs and individuals working on mental health issues. Our concentration has been on programs that emphasize suicide prevention.

As you can well imagine, there were countless areas to choose from including research, treatment, education and advocacy. We were presented with so many different types of organizations made up of an amazing number of wonderful, incredibly dedicated people. We consulted with Todd’s family to ensure that we were guided by the family’s wishes to stay true to Todd’s memory and to keep our focus on areas relating to Todd’s specific illness.

Our recommendation after the completion of our research is to amend our Mission Statement to read as follows:

Currently, we have two primary areas to distribute funds – Arizona and British
Columbia – consequently, we are recommending funding the following organizations.

1. ARIZONA

(a) Wendy Paine O’Brien Treatment Center
Pat Little, Director of Operations
The Wendy Center offers unique programming for children ages three and up and for adolescents ages thirteen to seventeen who have behavioral health problems. The Howard S. Gray Education Program at the Wendy Paine O’Brien Treatment Center provides accredited certified classroom instruction for junior and senior high school students who are disabled or emotionally handicapped. Each classroom teacher selects materials most appropriate for individual student’s program and learning capabilities.

(b) Teen Life Line
Michele Moorhead, Executive Director
Teen Life Lines mission is to impact the devastating problem of teen suicide through a free, confidential, peer supported hot line and life skills development that empowers Arizona’s youth to reach their full potential.

(c) Impact
Ilene Dode, President
It is a behavioral health organization offering counseling, crisis intervention, prevention and aftercare services to youth, adults and families. They provide a suicide crisis line staffed 24/7 by trainer supervised crisis counselors, counseling and psychiatric services, survivors of suicide support groups and a “Teen Talking to Teen Hotline”. It is the only crisis intervention organization in Arizona certified by the American Association of Suicidology.

(d) Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
They are affiliated with the most respected mental health and suicide prevention experts in the country. YRSPP is a multi-faceted, educational initiative, offering youth and adult seminars, workshops and presentation that teach awareness and strategies to empower youth and adults. To date, YRSPP has been presented in over 2000 schools, reaching more than 150,000 youth. Repeatedly requested, it is the accepted program in school districts in all of the United States and over 47 countries worldwide. The simple life skill that the YRSPP teaches and the powerful message that is is ok to ask for help has empowered thousands of teens to get help for themselves as well as helping others they care about.

2. BRITISH COLUMBIA

We have committed to work with the Great Victoria Hospital Foundation to assist them in creating a new Crisis Response Unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. This facility will provide the most appropriate, timely and dignified care for individuals living with mental illness and psychiatric disorders. It will serve as a lasting and important tribute to Todd’s life.

We would once again like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for making all of this possible. We never could have made this happen without your love and support.

My best personal regards,

Peter H. Thomas

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