Light for Life Foundation International
About Light for Life Foundation International
At Light for Life Foundation International in Omaha, suicide prevention is built to be easy to reach, easy to share, and hard to miss. The work shows up in small, practical tools like Ask 4 Help!® cards, along with training, youth leadership, and community chapters that help people connect with support. For donors, that means backing a local organization that keeps the path to help plain and usable for youth, teens, adults, and communities affected by suicide loss, suicide attempts, bullying, or mental health issues.
What sets this program apart is its Ask 4 Help!® card, a simple yellow tool for people who do not know what to say when they need help. It also gives youth a real role through the Youth Council and the chapter model, which helps schools and communities carry the message into the places where people already gather.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Ask 4 Help!® Cards
Yellow cards and related materials that give youth a way to ask for help when they do not know what to say.
Training for Trainers
Training designed to help people teach and spread suicide prevention education.
Youth Council
A youth advisory group that brainstorms, plans, organizes, and promotes the program.
Start a Chapter
An approved local extension of the program in a specific community, area, or location.
Speakers Bureau
A way for members and volunteers to give talks to teen groups and other audiences.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
The Light for Life Foundation Int’l/Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is dedicated to preventing suicide and attempts by making suicide prevention accessible to everyone and removing barriers to help.
Who they serve
Youth, teens, adults, and communities affected by suicide loss, suicide attempts, bullying, or mental health issues.
Their impact
- Teens pinned yellow ribbons on 500 slips of yellow paper at Mike Emme’s services, and all were gone.
- Becca Emme has spoken to thousands of people, adults and youth alike.
How your donation helps
- Provide materials to teens who request them
- Support Ask 4 Help!® cards and other materials
- Fund education, training, and collaboration to build sustainable suicide prevention programs
Our story
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program began in 1994 after the death of Mike Emme, a bright, funny, loving teen. After his death, his parents and friends created bright yellow messages with phone numbers for help, and teens pinned yellow ribbons on 500 slips of paper at his services. Those messages became the Ask 4 Help!® Card. Within three weeks, the program heard that a girl had given her yellow message to her teacher and received help.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Light for Life Foundation International’s services.
For immediate crisis, call or text 988. People can also contact the program by phone at 303-429-3530 or email at ask4help@yellowribbon.org.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
This World Is A Better Place With You In It!
Together, we can create a brighter future and eliminate suicide!
It's OK To Ask 4 Help!®
please don't do this, please talk to someone
Events
Colorado Gives Day
annualA giving-day campaign used to invite donations for the program.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Light for Life Foundation International has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Bundle Ask 4 Help!® cards
- Answer office phone calls that are not crisis calls
- Data entry
- Prepare information kits
- Assist with social media or web tasks
- Help with event set-up and breakdown
- Support registration and auction activities
- Help with training set-up and break-down
- Deliver Ask 4 Help!® cards and other materials
- Join work groups and special event committees
- Support speakers or speak at schools, churches, and community groups
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How can I help the program?
You can become a member, volunteer for a committee, join the Speakers Bureau, or help with administrative work like stuffing packets and making phone calls.
What materials are available?
The program offers Yellow Ribbon lapel pins, decals, lanyards, bracelets, and the Yellow Ribbon Program Toolkit on Community Action Guidelines and Suicide Prevention Training.
What can a school do with the program?
A school can introduce the program to friends, talk with health teachers and counselors, wear a yellow ribbon pin, hold an assembly or training, and keep cards available in counseling and administrative offices.
How can a community chapter spread the message?
A chapter can present at schools, churches, community groups, school board meetings, and PTA meetings, and share the program through local presentations and trainings.