• Day By Day
• Crouchstock Benefits Foundation
• Event Aids Local Familities
• Foundation urges students to watch for signs
• Article published by Father Joseph Brennan
• Kennedy Asks Medicaid Commission to Preserve Behavorial Health
• Lafayette joins the Nation in observing Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week
• Local TV station praises JCF efforts
• JCF members attend briefing on Capitol Hill
• Local Paper Tells Our Story
• JCF Billboard Campaign
• Local Suicide Support Groups

Event aids local families

Garage sale held to benefit those who have lost a loved one to suicide

The Daily Advertiser

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Amanda McElfresh

Two local nonprofit organizations are beginning to work more closely to help those who have lost a family member or close friend to suicide. The first joint effort between the Jacob Crouch Foundation and Healing House is this weekend's giant garage sale, which began Friday and continues today at the First United Methodist Church. Proceeds from the sale will go toward both organizations.

"We were really just talking about different ways we can collaborate, and we decided to just ask our supporters and clients to get involved and let them give back to us in an easy way," said Michelle Izzo-Voss, executive director of the Jacob Crouch Foundation.

The idea seemed to have paid off Friday, when dozens of people lined up at the church around 6 a.m. for the sale. Izzo-Voss said about half the items were gone by around mid-morning Friday, but anyone interested is welcome to bring more items to sell.

Beyond the garage sale, Izzo-Voss said she and Heather Blanchard, executive director of Healing House, are considering devoting one of Healing House's support groups to those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Healing House hosts several groups for children who have lost a parent or loved one.

The two groups already are sharing office space, but hope that their continued combined efforts can help those in the community who are grieving and need support.

"With the state of the economy, nonprofits need to look at ways to collaborate more," Izzo-Voss said. "Times are kind of changing for us, but we still need to provide these services."

On the Web

For more information on Healing House, go to http://www.healing-house.org.

Need help?

Check out the following resources.