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A family member or close friend is murdered, commits suicide or dies as the result of a drunk driver or war fatality. We don’t expect these things to happen. The loss of a loved one under any circumstances is painful. To lose a loved one suddenly and violently is devastating.
The Survivors of Violent Loss Program (SVLP) has been in existence since 1998, providing clinical services, support and education to those who live and work violent death such as homicide, suicide, drunk driving and other unnatural causes. Our staff is trained in the kind of grief that doesn’t go away in time.
Home for the holidays is a normal part of the season’s plan. The warmth, safety and comfort that “home” provides draws us to be with our loved ones. Being “home” can be especially challenging for many of our families who no longer have all that “being home” may mean.
SVLP serves more than 200 family members and caregivers annually. Everyone is eligible for the direct services we provide regardless of the ability to pay. In the past, SVLP worked under the umbrella of other nonprofits such as UCSD and Victim Assistance Coordinating Council (VACC). In July 2008, SVLP became its own separate and distinct 501(c-3) non-profit agency. We continue to exist in cooperation with peer support volunteers and community partners such as VACC, DA’s Victim Assistance Program, and the Cara Knott Foundation.
We would like to invite you, or your organization, to become a “community friend “of SVLP. Your donation will help us continue to provide services to the under-served and low income families as well as support us in our goal of obtaining our own space, our own program “home”.
We have established the following levels of support:
Life-Long Friend – $5,000+
Founding Friend – $1,000 – $5,000
Special Friend – $200 – $1,000
Family Friend – $5 – $200
At a time when we are being nearly overwhelmed with requests for our services, your gift will make an important difference. Thanks for opening up your heart … and caring. It means a lot to us and those we serve.
Please share the enclosed information and a personal note from you to help us work together to continue the necessary funding for this important work.
*****************************************************************************************************************
I am contributing $________ to this worthy program.
Name_____________________________________________________________________
Organization (if appropriate)_________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________ Email _____________________
************************************************************************************************* I would like to get more information about:
1. _______ Becoming a Volunteer
2. _______Upcoming Events
3. _______Becoming a Sponsor
Dear Friends and Families,
Enclosed is the information about the very successful year the Survivors of Violent Loss has had. Our work has extended to as far away as Thailand this year. There have been many who you know have cared about what happens to those who lose a loved one in an unnatural way.
Happiest of Holidays,
Connie Saindon
Survivors of Violent Loss Program 2008 Accomplishments
SVLP has had a banner year, despite a shoe-string budget
and heavy reliance on volunteer time!
Served over 200 families and caregivers
Held a Ten Year Anniversary Celebration sponsored by The San Felipe Humanitarian Foundation
Conducted a Two day Training, Violent Death Bereavement: Interventions for an Emerging Field with Ted Rynearson, MD at University of California San Diego Medical Center
·Published The Ten Year Anniversary Photo log of the Survivors of Violent Loss Program, Special Edition by C. Saindon (available)
Provided in service training on The San Diego Survivors of Violent Loss Program for over 30 mental health staff members at Balboa Naval Hospital
15 people and agencies attended the River of Remembrance
Over 50 people and agencies attended the Candle Vigil activities during Crime Victims Week
Provided training for Hmong in Thailand
Published The Journey Workbook and CD: an Individual Adult Survivors Workbook by C. Saindon (available)
Received Determination Letter for Nonprofit 501(c)3 status (June 30, 2008
Presented at Two Day Seattle Conference: Restorative Retelling: Creative Revisions, Virginia Mason Medical Center
Launched Online Course: PTSD and Violent Death Bereavement at University of California San Diego. Students have taken the course for general interest earning 9 CEU units
Compiled pre and post screening data covering ten years work on over 200 clients
Your Support is our Mission
Save A Life San Diego Community Walk
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Balboa Park (6th and Laurel)
Registration: 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Opening Ceremonies: 8:30 am
Walk starts at: 9:00 am
You have an opportunity to help save lives by supporting the Save A Life Walk which generates funds for suicide prevention through awareness, education, and support for survivors of suicide loss. 100% of the funds remain in San Diego.
In the United States a person dies by suicide every 16 minutes, claiming over 30,000 lives each year.
Suicide now ranks first among causes of non-natural death in San Diego County.
From 1995 to 2006, suicide took the lives of 3,959 San Diegans.
In San Diego, suicides outnumber homicides by 2.35 to 1
In San Diego, for every suicide completed, an estimated 8 – 25 are attempted.
The fastest growing group completing suicide is children between the ages of 10-14. This rate has doubled in the last two decades.
In San Diego County, white males have the highest suicide rate of any race/gender combination
Ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder or a combination of disorders at the time of their death.
The U.S. Surgeon General states that suicide is a major preventable public health problem.
The purpose of this walk is to develop awareness regarding mental illness and suicide; and to educate the public on how we can work together to prevent loss of life to suicide. The funds generated will support two local organizations that are already working to prevent suicide and support those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
For 27 years, Survivors of Suicide Loss of San Diego County has been supporting survivors of a suicide loss and educating the community about suicide and the prevention of suicide. We provide six monthly support groups throughout San Diego County; a call-in help line for survivors; publish over 1,600 quarterly newsletters; and maintain a speaker’s bureau for the prevention of suicide.
www.soslsd.org 619-482-0297.
The San Diego Chapter of Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® is a school and community based youth prevention suicide prevention program that incorporates a collaborative, public health model to decrease suicide risk by promoting help seeking behavior among young people. During the past 11 years we have distributed nearly 675,000 Yellow Ribbon Lifeline Cards and have provided comprehensive suicide prevention education for over 167,000 middle/high school staff, students, and parents.
www.yellowribbonsd.org 760-635-5904.
Survivors of Violent Loss 