2024 New Jersey Volunteer Recognition Awards

In March 2024, AFSP New Jersey proudly launched the Volunteer Recognition Program, inviting nominations to honor the exceptional individuals who make our mission to #StopSuicide possible. Our goal was simple: to celebrate the incredible AFSP New Jersey Chapter volunteers who are the driving force behind our work to prevent suicide and support those affected by this tragic loss of life.

On December 10th, we came together to celebrate the dedication, passion, and impact our volunteers bring to this cause. From their steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds during our Out of the Darkness Walks and other events to their critical role in advancing our mission through advocacy and prevention education programs, we are endlessly grateful for their efforts.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the stars of our AFSP NJ Chapter! Together, we are building a world of hope—one step at a time.

⭐ Shining Star Award Recipients ⭐

Shining Star Award description: New volunteers who show enthusiasm and passion for suicide prevention. Those who get involved in multiple ways; committees, tabling, prevention education, etc. 

Carlos Diaz

Carlos was previously involved with AFSP when there was a Secaucus Walk. He rejoined the chapter in June 2023 and joined the Hoboken Out of the Darkness Walk Committee and became a Community Ambassador. Carlos has tabled at numerous events including the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, Jersey City Pride, the Stand event hosted by NAACP Jersey City, and more. Carlos is an enthusiastic representative of AFSP throughout Hudson County and has brought several events to the chapter to help us reach diverse communities across the county.

Jacqueline Finley

Jacqueline found AFSP New Jersey after losing a dear friend. She began participating in the Rutgers Out of the Darkness Campus Walk in 2024 and is a crisis counselor for the 988 Crisis Text Line. She created a program at Rutgers entitled Rhythm & Recovery: Dance Therapy for Mental Health to provide students with a nontraditional form of mental healthcare.

Danielle Mainardi and Aaliyah Reyes

Danielle completed her volunteer application in December 2023. She and her daughter, Aaliyah, quickly completed the requirements to become Community Ambassadors. This mother-daughter duo has volunteered at the Monmouth & Ocean County Mental Health Fair, SPTS' Ways to Wellness event at Brookdale Community College, the Westfield High School Mental Wellness Fair, Jersey Pride, Darren Clark Jr Memorial Back to School Wellness Event, Seafood Fest, the Morris County Out of the Darkness Walk and more! Aaliyah is also the newest member of the Junior Board. They are both dedicated and dependable volunteers who are always asking how they can volunteer next. 

⭐ Shining Star Youth Award Recipient ⭐

Emily Ruzicka

Emily has been volunteering with AFSP New Jersey since 2020. She volunteered at the Morris County Out of the Darkness Walk, Madison Survivor Day, Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, and joined the committee for the New Jersey Ride to Fight Suicide in 2024 where she was responsible for outreach for raffle basket donations and sponsorships. Emily is also a member of the Junior Board.

🌟 North Star Award Recipients 🌟

★ Out of the Darkness Walks
★ Prevention Education
★ Loss & Healing
★ Advocacy
★ Fundraising

North Star ★ Out of the Darkness Walks ★ Award Recipients

Beth Fitch

Beth has served as the Jersey Shore Out of the Darkness Walk chair since 2018. Under Beth’s leadership, the Jersey Shore Walk has become a cornerstone event raising over $1.4 million to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention efforts. Her leadership and passion have been instrumental in growing the walk's reach and impact throughout the years, helping to foster a stronger and more supportive community.

Kyra Berry

Kyra founded the Burlington County Out of the Darkness Walk in 2016. Motivated by a deep desire to make a difference, Kyra turned her vision into a reality, creating a space where her community could come together to support one another, raise awareness, and inspire hope. Since 2016, the Burlington County Walk has raised over $374,000, a testament to Kyra’s leadership and passion for bringing her community together.

Jeff and Jerri Torres

Jeff and Jerri's remarkable efforts have raised an astounding total of over $112,000 for AFSP’s mission. Their commitment to this cause has inspired countless individuals and brought hope to those in need. Through their extraordinary contributions, Jeff and Jerri continue to shine a light on the importance of community support and advocacy. 

North Star ★ Prevention Education ★ Award Recipients

Jaime Angelini

Jaime has been a New Jersey Chapter volunteer for four year now, making tremendous strides in the Atlantic and Cape May County schools and communities. As the Statewide Director of Suicide Prevention, Crisis Response, and Special Projects for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, Jaime is very dedicated to this work and has such a passion for helping others. You will always see Jaime with a smile on her face, asking what else she can do to support school-based programs and events. 

Tracy Cappiccille

Tracy has been a long-time volunteer with the New Jersey Chapter and has dedicated her work to supporting youth in the northwestern part of the state. As the Director of New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) Morris/Sussex Counties Mental Health Association, Tracy works closely with school districts to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Tracy creates amazing bonds with the youth she encounters during programs or events. Tracy is reliable and goes above and beyond for the chapter. 

North Star ★ Advocacy ★ Award Recipients

Christie Schweighardt

Christie reached out as soon as she heard that the chapter was forming an advocacy committee. She had extensive experience with advocacy and public policy from her time in undergrad at Rutgers University, she is also a volunteer for the Crisis Text Line and has been presenting Talk Saves Lives for years. Christie has the ability to speak with absolutely anyone. She is knowledgeable, helpful, and relatable. Additionally, Christie has formally accepted the volunteer position of New Jersey Chapter Advocacy Committee Co-Chair. 

Emily Brogan

Emily's impact on the New Jersey Chapter is immeasurable. As an advocacy intern, Emily worked on all of the advocacy committee meeting and general advocacy interest presentations, reviewed legislation for the 2024 Public Policy Issue Brief, attended meetings of the state legislature, created county and state-level resource sheets for NJ residents. In addition to advocacy, Emily helped with the Rutgers Out of the Darkness Campus Walk, attended the AFSP Overnight in Boston with her dad and cousin. 

North Star ★ Loss & Healing ★ Award Recipients

Africa Nelson

Africa has been volunteering with AFSP since 2019 as both a Healing Conversations volunteer and an Out of the Darkness Walk volunteer. After losing her younger and only brother to suicide in 2010, Africa's own healing journey led her to helping others around this disease, especially those in the Black community. Through her volunteerism, Africa hopes to reduce the stigma around suicide and mental health. Through Healing Conversations, she works passionately to let the grieving community know that they are not alone, and they are supported in their survivor journey.

Africa is a pleasure to work with, always willing to take on Healing Conversation requests and brings her empathy and experience to these survivors to whom she so delicately touches and helps. Many thanks and appreciation to Africa.

Idalmis LaMourt

Idalmis has been with AFSP since 2008 as a volunteer for the Out of Darkness Walks and Healing Conversations. After the loss of her father in 1999, Idalmis attended an AFSP support group which helped her a great deal and led her to want to volunteer with the chapter. As a Healing Conversations volunteer, Idalmis gently brings her own experience and her wisdom of healing to loss survivors seeking help in their own journeys.  She is reliable, communicative, and always willing to lend a hand.  The New Jersey Chapter is so grateful to have her spirit and passion as part of the program.

North Star ★ Fundraising ★ Award Recipient

Ricky Silvani Foundation

🎖 Board Chair's Volunteer Service Award Recipients 🎖

Emily Robb

Emily became involved with AFSP New Jersey through an Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Emily participated on the Mercer County Walk Committee for several years before becoming the Walk Chair. Emily continues to expand her volunteer efforts and wears many hats. She is now part of the social media team and an active Community Ambassador, volunteering at events like the Audacy We Can Survive Concert.

A fellow volunteer shared this about Emily, “Not only has she pushed me out of my shell to become a part of her AFSP walk group, walk committee, and speak at the events, but she is also an amazing role model. She is a shining star in the darkness”.

Megan Ruzicka

Megan is a sophomore at Fordham University where she is studying Political Science and Psychology. Megan has volunteered with AFSP New Jersey since 2020. She started as a high school student participating on the Morris County Out of the Darkness Walk Committee. She demonstrated her passion and leadership skills and continued to represent AFSP as a Community Ambassador at several events including two Survivor Day events in Madison, the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, Jersey Pride and more. She is currently the chair of our new Junior Board with a goal of spreading hope and actively getting others involved in the fight to stop suicide. 

💙 Peggy Farrell Memorial Award 💙

The Peggy Farrell Memorial Award is awarded in memory of Peggy Farrell who founded our AFSP New Jersey Chapter.  Peggy dedicated her energies to suicide prevention, becoming a leader and national advocate. Peggy was passionate about helping others and did much to lessen the suffering of others by being present and providing as much insight and education as possible. No distance was too far to travel and no call too long for Peggy to be there for someone and to serve selflessly.  This award is given in recognition of impactful and lasting contributions to reduce stigma, encourage mental wellness and spread awareness of suicide prevention and resources.  

Maureen Brogan

Maureen is the Program Director for the statewide Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth Program (TLC). The dual mission of the TLC is excellence in suicide prevention and trauma response assistance to youth serving organizations following unfortunate losses due to suicide, homicide, accident and illness. She is a Master Trainer in the evidence-based practice of QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training, the assistant producer of Signs Matter: Online Suicide Prevention Training for K-12 Educators, and a Talk Saves Lives presenter, partner, and volunteer for the AFSP New Jersey Chapter.  Maureen also serves as Co-Chair of the NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council. 

Maureen’s professional capabilities are extraordinary, but the reason for presenting her with this award is because she embodies the spirit of this award. Maureen is small in stature and yet such a giant in strength, warmth, intelligence and kindness. Maureen is a passionate advocate who uses her never-ending energy and tremendous knowledge to raise awareness and provide a voice for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention work. Like Peggy Farrell, “no distance is too far to travel and no call too long" for Maureen to be there to help and serve. The chapter is truly blessed to work closely with Maureen. She works tirelessly to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage mental wellness and is no doubt a deserving recipient of the New Jersey Chapter’s first Peggy Farrell Memorial Award!

Join us in celebrating our first ever New Jersey Chapter Volunteer Recognition Award winners! 

Stay tuned for the 2025 nomination submission period to open this spring. Interested in volunteering with AFSP New Jersey? Complete the Volunteer Application here.