On behalf of our Chapter leadership, thank you for your interest in learning more about the work of the Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  We'd like to take a moment to introduce ourselves and share some background on the Virginia Chapter.

The Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was officially chartered on January 8, 2015 after hosting fundraising events for several years.  Shirley Ramsey, our Chapter Founder, built a team of dedicated volunteers to launch our efforts in Virginia.  Our current staff support team consists of our Virginia Executive Director, Markita Madden and Special Events Manager, Emily Bacalis.  We are a working board, meaning that all of our Board Members actively serve in various capacities in our communities to deliver our mission.

Since our charter in 2015, and particularly within the last 3 years, we have experienced a huge increase in both support and demand, and we have launched several new programs.  We can't wait to see what the future holds, and we would love for you to be a part of it!

Join us for Get to Know Us: A Volunteer Introduction to AFSP Virginia
Apply to volunteer with us!

Our leadership and volunteers work daily to accomplish our mission, and we are excited to have received the following recognition for our efforts.

• 2015 Outstanding New Chapter of the Year
• 2016 Chapter of the Year, Large Market
• 2016 Outstanding Chapter Program Tracker
• 2017 Outstanding Chapter Social Media
• 2017 Outstanding International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Event
• 2017 Outstanding Chapter Education & Prevention Program
• Top Community Walk Per Capita - 2017 Stephens City Out of the Darkness Walk
• Top Community Walk Per Capita - 2018 Stephens City Out of the Darkness Walk
• ​Century Club Award - 2019 Richmond Out of the Darkness Walk
• Century Club Award - 2021 Richmond Out of the Darkness Walk
• 2021 Most Improved Chapter 
• 2022 Lynchburg Living Giving Back Award
• Century Club Award - 2022 Richmond Out of the Darkness Walk
• Century Club Award - 2022 Virginia Beach Out of the Darkness Walk
• Century Club Award - 2023 Richmond Out of the Darkness Walk
• 2023 Pacesetter Award
• Century  Club Award - 2024 Lynchburg Out of the Darkness Walk
• Century Club Award - 2024 Richmond Out of the Darkness Walk
• Century Club Award - 2024 Stephens City Out of the Darkness Walk
• Century Club Award - 2024 Virginia Beach Out of the Darkness Walk
• 2024 Outstanding Chapter Advocacy Program
• 2024 Richard B. Kirchhoff Overall Chapter of the Year Award

Meet Our Leadership

AFSP Virginia Chapter Board Members

Welcome and thank you for taking time to get to know about the Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Your support, skills, and time can help our communities in Virginia promote awareness, and we hope that you will consider volunteering with us.  As a fellow volunteer, I hope to get to know you.  We have no greater resource than the people who join us in this mission to save lives and we are truly grateful for everyone who helps share the message that hope lives here.

WINTER BROOKS
Stephens City  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Colors: White, Blue

Virginia Chapter Board Chair, Loss & Healing Committee Member, Healing Conversations Volunteer, Education Committee Member/Presenter, Volunteerism Committee, Stephens City Out of the Darkness Walk Founder & Volunteer

MATTHEW AUSTIN
Moseley  |  He/Him/His
Bead Colors: Blue, Purple
LinkedIn

Virginia Chapter Vice Chair, Executive Board Team, Development Committee Chair, Education Committee Member/Presenter

SEAN HIGDON
Broadway  |  He/Him/His
Bead Colors: Blue, Green, Teal, Purple, Rainbow
LinkedIn

Virginia Chapter Treasurer, Executive Board Team

SHANNON SULLIVAN
Ruther Glen  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Colors: Blue, Green, Teal, Purple, Silver
LinkedIn

Virginia Chapter Secretary, Executive Board Team, Public Policy Committee Co-Chair & Advocacy Ambassador, Greater Fredericksburg Out of the Darkness Walk Chair

DR. CASSIE GLENN
Virginia Beach  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Colors:  Blue. Teal
Youth Risk & Resilience Lab

Board President, Executive Board Team, Chair - ODU Out of the Darkness Walk

ANOZAIRE BRIDDGE ORIUS
Virginia Beach  |  He/Him/His
Bead Colors:  Blue, Green
LinkedIn

Board Member, Education Committee Member/Presenter

LORRIE EANES
Danville  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Colors: Green, Teal, Blue
LinkedIn

Virginia Chapter Board Member, Public Policy Committee Member, Advocacy Ambassador, Education Committee Member/Presenter

KEVIN LONG
Bridgewater  |  He/Him/His
Bead Color: White

Virginia Chapter Board Member, Nominations Committee Chair

KATHERINE MARTINEZ
Virginia  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Color: Blue, Silver
LinkedIn 

Virginia Chapter Board Member, DEI Committee Chair, Presenter/Education Committee Member

ROBERT NORIEGA
Richmond  |  He/Him/His
Bead Colors: Blue, Purple
LinkedIn 

Virginia Chapter Board Member, Virginia Chapter Bold Goal Champion, Presenter/Education Committee Member

RONALD NORTH, JR.
Waynesboro  |  He/Him/His
Bead Colors: Blue, Green, Purple, Silver, Teal, Red, Rainbow

Virginia Chapter Board Member, DEI Committee Member, Nominations Committee Member, Public Policy Committee Member, Education Committee Member/Presenter, Loss & Healing Committee Chair, Healing Conversations Coordinator

SHIRLEY RAMSEY
Glen Allen  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Colors: White, Gold, Teal, Blue, Purple
LinkedIn

Virginia Chapter Board Member, AFSP Virginia Chapter Founder, Presenter/Education Committee Chair,  Richmond Out of the Darkness Walk Founder

SCOTT STEVENS
Christiansburg  |  He/Him/His
Bead Colors: Blue, Teal, Purple

Virginia Chapter Board Member, Marketing & Publicity Committee Chair, Lynchburg Out of the Darkness Walk Emcee

CARL TROST
Staunton  |  He/Him/His
Bead Colors: Blue, Purple, Silver
LinkedIn

Virginia Chapter Board Member, Education Committee Member/Presenter, Loss & Healing Committee Member, Healing Conversations Volunteer

AFSP Virginia Chapter Ambassadors

CASSIE HAIRSTON
Virginia Chapter Social Media Ambassador
LinkedIn

Forest  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Colors: Blue, Green, Purple

AFSP Virginia Chapter Staff

MARKITA MADDEN
Virginia Executive Director
LinkedIn

Harrisonburg  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Colors: Blue, Teal, Purple, Gold, Orange

[email protected]  |  540.718.2221

EMILY BACALIS
Virginia Special Events Manager

Virginia Beach  |  She/Her/Hers
Bead Colors: Blue, Teal, Purple

[email protected]  |  202.839.2174