2021 Annual Grant Awards in Honor of Gabe’s 15th Birthday
Reflecting on the inspiration of Gabe’s life, and on the twenty months of the work since we founded Gabriel’s Light, we celebrate Gabe’s birthday by announcing annual grant awards - financial gifts to organizations that further the mission of Gabriel’s Light.
The statistics from the Center from Disease Control (CDC) confirm that our work is needed more than ever. Though elderly people suffered more from Covid-19, the negative affects of the pandemic on youth mental health are stunning. These stark facts, the positive feedback we’ve received for our work, and the continued encouragement and financial support from donors fuels our resolve to reach more youth and save more lives.
Introducing Our 2021 Grant Recipients
Sharing the light of our son Gabe motivates us towards our ultimate vision of a world free of youth suicide, so that others do not suffer the pain and loss as we have. Our 2021 grantees mirror this vision and work to Shine the LIGHT for others. Their work aligns with ours, reflects Gabe’s joy and passions, and inspires us to celebrate and amplify all the ways we educate, empower and support each other.
Elyssa’s Mission
Our largest grant is awarded to Elyssa’s Mission, one of our key partners in forwarding our mission to prevent youth suicide. Since 2006, Elyssa’s Mission has provided suicide prevention training to schools in Illinois for no cost. Utilizing evidence-based S.O.S. Signs of Suicide training, they successfully work with 250 schools and also provide grief support to schools affected by suicide. We have partnered to bring the life-saving HOPE Squad® program, (a school based, peer-to-peer suicide training program) to Chicago area schools beginning in August 2020.
If Gabe’s school had a program like Elyssa’s Mission’s S.O.S. training, his death may have been prevented, or we might have had at least an opportunity for an intervention for him. In Gabe’s honor, we work together with this like minded organization to help identify kids at risk and refer them for help.
Learn more on their website here.
Camp Tecumseh
Since 1924, Camp Tecumseh has been one of the largest YMCA Camps in the country. A place where kids can explore the outdoors, build life-long friendships, discover their best selves, and develop character, compassion, and confidence necessary to lead the next generation.
This summer, Gabriel’s Light was honored to train counselors at Camp Tecumseh on the importance of kindness to oneself and to others. We created a set of 11 Kindness Cards that promote and teach kindness techniques. Each card highlights a topic such as “Walking Meditation”, “Smiling”, or “Secret Good Deeds” and includes an exercise for practice. The Kindness Cards will be used with 3,500 campers ages 5-16. In addition, a special Kindness program was developed for 160 camp counselors, aged 15-16, in their Counselors In Leadership Training program (CILTS).
To support the mental health of camp counselors and staff, Gabriel’s Light underwrote the services of Purdue University’s Counseling and Psychology Department this summer.
Finally, Gabriel’s Light is a proud donor for Campaign for Tecumseh: a capital campaign to build a new dining hall and growing River Village.
Learn more on their website here.
Erika’s Lighthouse
Erika’s Lighthouse promotes inclusive school cultures through mental health education. They give educators the tools to create meaningful discussions about mental health and depression. Their mission is to make sure no young person feels alone in their depression. Their teen depression awareness programs help educators and teens create safe spaces to learn about depression, letting students know they are never alone, and there is somewhere to turn.
Learn more on their website here.
L.O.S.S. Program
The L.O.S.S. (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Program is a support group for those who are grieving a death by suicide of a family member or close friend. The non-denominational program is offered by Catholic Charities. For 41 years, LOSS has offered a safe, non-judgmental place to assist group and individual members through the grieving process. There is no fee for their services.
Our family found support with others grieving a loss by suicide, and through that support, met another family who similarly suffered the unimaginable loss of a twelve year old child. We are so grateful for the support and comfort of LOSS.
Learn more on their website.
The People’s Music School
Gabe loved music and music lessons. The People’s Music School envisions a society where all children have access to music education. They believe music is transformative and empowers the lives of youth, families, and communities. They offer high-quality, tuition-free music education for kids.
Learn more on their website.
Concern Worldwide U.S.
Concern Worldwide is a global community of partners working to transform the lives of the world’s poorest people in countries with the greatest need. Concern supporters since 2004, this year we’ve specifically chosen the LEAF program in Ethiopia as a Gabriel’s Light grant recipient. The LEAF (Lifesaving Education and Assistance to Farmers) Program is just a small part of the work done by Concern in Gabe’s birth country. LEAF provides immediate and longer-term responses to chronic malnutrition and hunger for people living in extreme poverty in Ethiopia and Kenya.
Learn more on their website.
Firebird Community Arts
Firebird Community Arts offers personalized ceramics and glass blowing instruction from their warehouse-turned-art studio located in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood. They are deliberately located in East Garfield Park in an effort to be closer to, and of better service to, the Chicago communities most in need of affordable, high-quality arts instruction and a safe space within which to practice art as a tool for healing. After several decades of work, they have helped thousands of people grow their empathy, work through challenges, find new jobs and see the positive connections between them and those who live around them. Art helps us all heal.
We have selected Firebird Community Arts in honor of Gabe’s love for hands-on art, and to support their mission of helping kids that have experienced trauma in our city.
Learn more on their website.
Alliance of Hope
The Alliance of Hope offers free, online healing support and services for people coping with a devastating loss to suicide. Their online forums operates 24/7 to support those unable to attend support in person. We are so thankful for organizations like Alliance of Hope that guide suicide survivors through their grief.
Learn more on their website.
Beehive Alliance
The Beehive Alliance is a non-profit organization started in 2019 that is dedicated to creating a buzz around pediatric mental and behavioral health issues. They are committed to providing the resources necessary to families in their local community burdened by these issues, so that no child is denied access to treatments that change lives.
Learn more on their website.
SocialWorks
SocialWorks, founded by Grammy-award-winning musician and humanitarian Chance the Rapper, aims to empower the youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement. Since 2016, SocialWorks has created 5 initiatives that present youth the opportunity to learn and act on their passions. SocialWorks’ programming focuses on education, mental health, homelessness, and performing and literary arts – directly affecting thousands of youth yearly.
Learn more on their website.
Imagine Englewood If
Imagine Englewood If’s mission is to strengthen and empower the Greater Englewood community through teaching local youth and their families healthy living, environmental awareness, and positive communication skills. Their “Kids on the Move” summer day camp provides a safe and fun environment for youth to get active, explore, and build new friendships. Youth campers are exposed to new experiences and places that expand their view of the world!
Learn more on their website.
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago
The Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC) is a not-for-profit, non-political organization committed to serving the educational, cultural, psychological, and socio-economic needs of Ethiopians in Chicagoland and the surrounding areas. ECAC offers an exciting and culturally relevant summer camp and school break programs for children and youth.
Learn more on their website.
After School Matters
After School Matters provides Chicago teens the opportunity to explore their passions and develop their talents through world-class after-school and summer programs across Chicago. The impact that After School Matters can have on teens starts in their day-to-day lives, helps them achieve success during their high school years and empowers them to dream big as they find their futures.
Learn more on their website.
Thank you to our donors, grantees, youth ambassadors and volunteers who have helped us accomplish so much. Your generosity and support in the earliest months of Gabriel’s Light’s existence makes a difference!
Each and every one of us can Share the LIGHT and make a difference to reduce these horrible and growing suicide statistics.
With gratitude,
Carol & Brendan Deely
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Please share any questions, 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.