EVENTS

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Dance, Celebrate Life and Connect.

Our first and much anticipated Dance-a-Thon fundraiser was postponed for a few years due to COVID-19 and staying safe took priority. However, stay tuned as we plan for our first annual Dance-a-Thon, date TBD. 

To volunteer, sponsor and/or help us organize please email: info@viadcenter.org

Our goal from day one has been to share Andrew's story as a way to help other young people lost in despair and hopelessness, to reach out and not give up. 

Andrew's story soon became our story (community), as from day one, many people shared their own struggles with deep inner pain and silent suffering. We were initially overwhelmed and shocked with how many people from all walks of life and across all ethnicities and social-economic levels opened up to share their own stories.  

We realized early on that Andrew's story, his pain and suicidal thoughts were more common than we even imagined. We decided to create a documentary to share Andrew's story, their stories...our story as a way to bring more awareness to teen & young adult stressors, to mental health, to the grief and loss of loved ones impacted by suicide. As well as to bring awareness to healing and to encourage and inspire others to not give up and reach out for help. 

We continue working on our documentary and hope to complete soon for a community screening and gathering.

With deep gratitude and appreciation to all the brave young people (Andrew's friends and peers), our families and all the caring adults (teachers, coaches, mentors, parents) who have joined every year, 2018-2023. Each year has been a beautiful, heartfelt and bittersweet evening of tears, sharing, music, humor, healing, connection and honoring of the promise made to Andrew to reach out and not give up.

Our goal is to transition into 2024 and beyond with local partners supporting May mental health awareness month.

Special thanks to the musicians and speakers who over the years, have shared their talents and stories:

Lizette Rubio (2023)

@lizetterubiomusic https://www.youtube.com/@LizetteRubioMusic

Brandi Rose Lentini (2022/2021)

@brandirosemusic   https://www.youtube.com/c/BrandiRoseMusic/videos

Gino Walker (2020, 2019, 2018)

https://www.youtube.com/user/GinoWalker

https://www.reverbnation.com/ginowalker

David Hall (2020)

Substance abuse counselor with CADA shared his struggles and triumphs

Jesse Brisendine (2019)

Life Coach shared his story of loss (suicide)

.https://www.jessebrisendine.com/