Suffolk County Community College Campus Walk

Join us on April 20, 2024

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Welcome to the Out of the Darkness

Suffolk County Community College Campus Walk

Event Details

Walk Date: 04/20/2024
Walk Location: Ammerman Campus, Selden, NY
 Onsite Registration Time: 9:00 am
Walk Program Starts: 10:00 am

For more information, please contact:

Contact Name: Sarah Boles 
Contact Phone: 631-451-4530 
Contact Email: boless@sunysuffolk.edu

Walk Route:

Walk is a 3 mile loop around the campus starting at the Veterans Plaza behind the Babylon Student Center!

Event Details:

 

Our first walk was initiated by a passionate student at the college in 2017 who felt it would be community building and impactful to host an Out of the Darkness Walk here at Suffolk.  This year will be our 8th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk on the Ammerman Campus of SCCC.  We are the only college campus on Long Island to host a walk and have worked hard to keep the event going as it is an wonderful opportunity for those impacted by mental health issues and suicide to come together, get connected to resources, raise awareness, and foster hope for those with lived experience, as well as loss survivors and those supporting others who are struggling.  We also know that suicide remains a leading cause of death for youth and young adults.

Our walk also raises funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention which is the leading private funder of research related to suicide and suicide prevention.  The organization also provides a number of educational programs for communities and those impacted by this issue.  In addition, AFSP is an advocate for mental health and other resources including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org).

Last year, Mental Health and Wellness Services collaborated with Veterans Services and the Student Veterans of America (SVA ) on campus to give attention to the issue of suicide in the veteran community in particular.  We will be collaborating again to provide not only resources for support for the general public, but also resources specific to the veteran population.  We participate in a 22-Push Up Challenge to raise awareness about this issue which is led by student veterans on campus.  We have traditionally partnered with other clubs including the Honors Club and the Student Government Association on the event.  Whether you are an individual student, student group/organization or other campus community member or someone from our local community that is impacted or wants to participate, this is an awesome opportunity to support an amazing cause while also connecting and finding community and hope.

Join us on Saturday, April 20th!  Invite family or friends that could benefit from the event and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our walk.

Below are some community resources that will be present at the event:

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Long Island Chapter
  • Family Service League -  DASH
  • Response Crisis Center
  • Victory Recovery Partners
  • Neighborhood House
  • Pride for Youth
  • SCCC Mental Health and Wellness Services
  • SCCC Veteran Services
  • Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency
  • The Joseph Dwyer Project
  • The Economic Opportunities Council of Suffolk County
  • Here to Help
  • Pet Partners of Long Island
  • and more....

March Challenge

 


The Out of the Darkness Campus Walks are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) signature student fundraising series, designed to engage youth and young adults in the fight to prevent suicide, a leading cause of death.

If you're looking for support and/or resources, please visit www.afsp.org/get-help and www.afsp.org/resources.


 

Here Is How You Can Help

Become a Sponsor

Show your community and employees that your business cares about mental health and preventing suicide. Sponsor the Suffolk County Community College Campus Walk & become a partner to help stop this leading cause of death. 

Email Sarah Boles to explore all the sponsorship opportunities! 

Volunteer at the Walk

Our Walk could not be successful without our Event Committee and Day-of Walk Volunteers!

Want to join this amazing crew? Email Sarah Boles for more details! Thank you!

 

Fundraising 101

Fundraise to Help #StopSuicide and Get Rewarded!

$100+ - Raise $100 by 04/20/2024 and receive the official Out of the Darkness Walk t-shirt!*

*Donations can be made to a team as a whole, but the t-shirt and other incentives are based only on individual fundraising.  

See all the cool AFSP merch you could receive based on your fundraising HERE.

 

Promote the Walk on Campus and in Your Community! 

Follow us on social: 

 

 
Use Your Social Media

Post on your socials! Share why you walk with your community! Use the hashtags:

#HopeWalksHere and #OutoftheDarkness

Create a Facebook Fundraiser through your account or it will not connect to your page! This is super easy in the app btw (wink wink) 

If you want to fundraise on Instagram, add the link to your fundraising page to your profile bio! Then post about the Walk and direct people to "donate in bio"

** Please note that Instagram fundraisers DO NOT integrate with your Walk fundraising page. If you would like to share on Instagram, add the link to your fundraising page to your bio or add it as a link in your Instagram story! **

 

 

 
Team Tools

Become a Team Captain

Team Central

Be sure to follow all of the steps after registering to get that fundraising going!

Need fundraising ideas? These recommendations will make it FUNdraise!

 

Commonly Asked Questions:

How do I register? Click here to view a step-by-step guide.

I am already registered but I want to create / join a team, how can I change my registration? Log into your account and click on the “change team membership” option on the right hand side of your dashboard tab (on mobile you’ll need to click “dashboard” first). View this video tutorial for more help

Can I register at the Walk? Yes!  You can register in-person at the Walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. Walk donations are accepted until June 30th.

 

Is there a registration fee?
No, there is no registration fee to participate.

Is there a fundraising minimum?
No, but we strongly encourage each participant to set a $100 fundraising goal to help support AFSP's work to stop suicide and receive the official walk t-shirt!

If I raise enough money, will my whole team get a shirt?
No. The event shirts are only given to individuals who raise $100. If your whole team wants a shirt, each member must raise $100

 

How do I make an offline donation?
To send a donation by check, please complete this form and send it with your check to the address provided.

Parking, route, and other info will be updated as we get closer to Walk Day.

For additional questions, please email boless@sunysuffolk.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day-of Experience

On-Site Activities
  • AFSP Store for merchandise
  • Pick-up beads at the Honor Bead tent
  • Take photos with our props
  • And more!
 
Honor Beads

Honor Beads will be available on-site to show your connection(s) to the cause.

What are your honor beads?

 
Hope & Healing

Share messages of hope and remembrance.


 

Register by clicking the button at the top of the page

There's now an app to make it even easier to raise funds and receive updates!

Click below to get started!

     

 

Thank you to our participants, volunteers, donors, and sponsors for your support! Together, we can save lives and bring hope.


If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call 988 or text TALK to 741-741