2020 - Looking Back, Looking Forward
In just over one year since we founded Gabriel’s Light, we are proud of the great strides made towards achieving our mission to prevent youth suicide. In fact, our core focus areas - suicide prevention education, cyber safety, and kindness campaigns - are needed now more than ever.
Throughout the year, we launched numerous programs and communication campaigns and have forged partnerships. Last spring at the start of the pandemic, we pivoted our efforts to provide relevant support to parents and students through the QuaranTeens & Tweens series featured on our blog.
During the summer, we launched our Youth Ambassador Program. Now in our third cohort, our Youth Ambassadors learn and practice transferable skills while advocating for mental wellness. In the fall, we awarded numerous grants and held Songs of Hope, our first concert and fundraiser. Read more about our achievements below.
The feedback we have received has been dramatic, prompting tears and cheers, and drives our resolve to continue our lifesaving work. Our efforts have helped identify some students at risk leading to them receiving the critical help they needed. Our big plans for 2021 include expanding our programs to reach more kids, especially those most at risk in under-resourced neighborhoods and schools.
Your support of Gabriel’s Light is truly helping save young lives. We are so grateful. Please consider making a gift today to help us continue our important mission.
With Gratitude,
Carol Deely
Founder & President of Gabriel’s Light
2020 Highlights and Accomplishments
YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Designed to engage youth in our mission and harness the power of peer-to-peer communication as a powerful suicide prevention tool, our ambassadors earn volunteer hours, practice skills, and contribute to an important cause. Learn more here.
• Over 50 participants in the program
• Over $10,000 dollars raised by ambassadors
• Thousands reached with important suicide prevention messaging through peer-to-peer communication
COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMS DRIVE AWARENESS & EDUCATION
Through educational programs, speaking engagements, press, and social media, we continue to share our story and promote the value of suicide prevention so that others may learn from our loss.
QuaranTeens & Tweens blog series offered advice from experts and curated resources on youth mental wellness and cyber safety
Coordinated messaging campaign for Suicide Prevention Month and National Bullying Prevention month
Over 10 features in media, including local and national coverage
GRANTS AWARDED
Grantees aligned with our mission and values multiply the impact and reach of our collective work. This is true of our 2020 award winners whose work reflects Gabe’s joys and passion and inspires us to amplify the ways we educate, empower, and support each other.
Read about all of our grantees here.
SONGS OF HOPE CONCERT & FUNDRAISER
A celebration of music, a memorial to all those lost to suicide, and an expression of hope for those at risk, our inaugural Songs of Hope Concert & Fundraiser brought family, friends, and supporters together around Gabe’s love for music and performance.
Featured 8 different virtual performances
Exceeded our fundraising goal
Over 400 event registrants
2021 is Looking Bright
KEY GOALS FOR 2021
Next year, we plan to expand our programming to reach more people and save more lives. Key initiatives include:
Expand our Youth Ambassador Program into under-resourced neighborhoods through strategic partnerships and community outreach.
Increase funding for partners to bring suicide prevention education into more schools.
Broaden communications campaigns to teach more people the signs of suicide and how to find help for those at risk.
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Please share any feedback or topics that interest you by emailing us here.
About Gabriel's Light
In 2019, Carol and Brendan Deely founded Gabriel’s Light in honor of their son who died by suicide at age 12. In honor of Gabe and all those lost to suicide, they share their journey with the hope that others may learn and grow from their tragedy. Focusing on three pillars of cyber safety, suicide prevention, and kindness campaigns, through outreach, programs, partnerships, and funding, they raise awareness and inspire youth, parents, and educators to take action and help forward their mission.