Sue Roche Honored as Volunteer of the Year

Mother Bereaved by Suicide Recognized by the Carson J Spencer Foundation

By Emily Alvarez

For her dedication and spirit of giving Sue Roche of Aurora will be honored as the Carson J Spencer Foundation’s (CJSF) “Volunteer of the Year” on August 27^th, 2015 at 5:30pm at Wings Over the Rockies. During this event CJSF will celebrate its 11^th Annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala and 10^th Anniversary of the Foundation, a “blacktie optional” occasion. For more information visit: www.CarsonJSpencer.org.

When Sue was 15 she gave up her son for adoption. Nineteen years later, she became a part of his life again. Then tragically, when he was 27 he took his life by suicide.

“This is the face of suicide,” Sue Roche said. “Not only did I lose a son, but I considered it myself prior to his passing. Now I volunteer in the area of suicide prevention and grief support, and I get to help others with my lived experience.  Hopefully my story can give someone hope that you can come out the other side.”

Sue went to the Parents Surviving Suicide support group after her son passed in 2010. The people she met there connected her to the Carson J Spencer Foundation, and she began volunteering for the Shining Lights of Hope Gala soon after. Now she volunteers up to 20 hours a week as the Volunteer Chair for the gala and by enrolling new stakeholders in grief support after a suicide.

“I’d like to thank each and every volunteer who has ever volunteered for me. It’s a great honor. I didn’t expect it. I really do appreciate the recognition” Roche said.

Watch the interview with Sue Roche here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WalhfpdFwSI

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About the Carson J Spencer Foundation - Sustaining a Passion for Living

The Carson J Spencer Foundation (www.CarsonJSpencer.org) is a Colorado nonprofit, established in 2005.  We envision a world where leaders and communities are committed to sustaining a passion for living. Our mission is to elevate the conversation to make suicide prevention a health and safety priority. We do this by:

• Delivering innovative and effective suicide prevention programs for working-aged people
• Coaching young leaders to develop social enterprises for mental health promotion and suicide prevention
• Supporting people bereaved by suicide