Programs

Research shows that the majority of people who die by suicide are working age adults.  The foundation thus originally established Working Minds, a program that assists workplaces in developing a comprehensive suicide prevention program. The program is the only one in the nation dedicated to this issue.  As the program developed, it became clear that, although many suicide prevention programs for youth existed, there were not many that provided them the skills that both benefitted the participant and reached out to the community.  Such outreach strengthens social bonds while at the same time promoting awareness about mental health.

CJSF has recently expanded to offer a youth program targeted towards business acumen and social awareness entitled “The FIRE Within: Saving Lives through Business.”  This program combines the positive reinforcement of the creative process with the development of entrepreneurial skills that embrace community investment and involvement.

Working Minds: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace: This program is currently the only one in the nation dedicated to helping workplaces develop a comprehensive suicide prevention program.  The toolkit for this program was recently accepted into the National Best Practices Registry for suicide prevention. These trainings target supervisory staff and provide information regarding risk factors and warning signs.  Currently, a partnership with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is bringing this workshop to homeless-serving populations, as increased numbers of recently homeless people are beginning to show up for services displaying multiple risks for suicide. Over 1,100 people have been served through this program.

The FIRE Within: Saving Lives through Business:  We aim to ignite a passion for an entrepreneurial mindset and care for the common good in youth; to build business skills and social networks among our next generation of leaders; and to provide opportunities for business management coupled with rich service learning.  Through The FIRE Within: Saving Lives through Business, a high-touch, year-long curriculum, we engage students through self-driven discovery, teach them what it means to be a successful entrepreneur, leader and workgroup and apply this to the public health issue of suicide.  In a business plan competition, student groups develop sustainable businesses that raise revenue and awareness for suicide prevention and compete for varying levels of seed money to implement their plans.  After being in this program for a year, youth are transformed into Future Innovative Resilient Entrepreneurs (FIRE). 

iCare Packages: CJSF provides packets of resources to bereaved families upon requests.  These packages provide important information and links to resources that can help family members combat the terrible feelings of isolation that follow these tragic events.  The social stigma surrounding suicide often makes families feel as though they are cut off from the community support that they desperately need at this time. To date, over 60 packages have been distributed.