“Not long after I lost my son I had people coming into our sales office who had either bought a house or were buying a house from my family who were sharing their stories and sympathizing with me. I reached the point where I felt I needed to be a part of an organization such as Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss to give me the support and direction in assisting others in their grief."
- Judy Wathen-Farris -
Kimberly Bird is the Vice President for California Bank & Trust. She has been an active supporter of Fresno SOS for four years and currently serves as the Vice President for the Board of Directors.
"I am not a survivor, however I have a passion for this area."
- Kimberly Bird -
Marilyn is a Health Insurance Specialist and currently serves as the Secretary for the Board of Directors. She became involved with Fresno SOS nearly a year ago after attending the 2010 Run/Walk. In March of 2009 Marilyn lost her son Daniel Dunlap to suicide and has since become involved in this organization to spread the message of hope and healing.
"After the loss of my son, I stepped down from a supervising role with my employer. After learning about Fresno SOS I really felt I could utilize all of my experience working with people again, in addition to giving back and making a difference in families' lives."
Linda most recently served as a Real Estate Broker and earned a degree in Finance & Real Estate at California State University, Fresno. Linda has served and continues to serve as the Treasurer and Newsletter Editor for Fresno SOS since the year 2001. In December 1999 Linda lost her daughter Shelby Anne Ruether to suicide and has since made it her mission to combat the issue of suicide.
"We have choices in life; we can either be proactive or sit back and be victimized. We at SOS have chosen to take our personal tragedies and use them to help others in the hope that they may avoid the heartbreak that we have experienced. It has been said that one cannot help others without also helping oneself, and I find this to be absolutely true; it greatly facilitates the act of healing. We are a vital and very active force in the Valley, and I am proud to be a part of this organization."
- Linda Ginise -
Crystal Soto, Psy.D. is the
Director of Tribal Social Service for the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi-Yokut
Tribe. She also serves as a faculty at several local colleges and online
colleges in the areas of psychology, criminal justice, and counseling. Crystal
has worked with a variety of populations as a Psychologist, since graduating
from Alliant International University Fresno in 2007. She has lost a few
friends and patients to suicide, and has great compassion for anyone impacted
by suicide.
“A life of caring and giving to
others, is a grand one worth living.”
- Cystal Soto, Psy.D. -
Joe Martinez
Joe Martinez is the Community Relations and Outreach Manager of the EOC Sanctuary Youth Services and a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in Criminology/Law Enforcement. Joe is currently serving his first year on the Board of Directors and is an active member of our Speakers Bureau. In 1979, Joe lost his brother Jesse to suicide.
“I choose to live my life serving others, and to be a blessing to those in need.”
- Joe Martinez -
Donna Nunes-Croteau
Donna has served as the Mental Health Consumer Advocate for the Department of Behavioral Health and is currently employed by King View at the Blue Sky Wellness Center as a Mental Health Specialist/Supervisor. Donna has been working closely with Fresno SOS for several years offering her time in training the Support Group facilitators through the UCAN/Peer Support project and currently serving as a board member. Although Donna is not a survivor of suicide loss, she is an active supporter in combating the issue of suicide and depression in our community.
"I admire and respect the work and service dedication of SOS and the Board of Directors."
- Donna Nunes-Croteau -
Sgt. Brian Rogers
Brian is a Sergeant for the Fresno Police Department and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss. In the year 1985 Brian lost his friend John Thatcher to suicide and in 2006 joined forces with Fresno SOS to attack the issue of suicide firsthand.
"Doing my part to build 'The Culture of Life'"
- Sgt. Brian Rogers -
David I. Margolin, M.D., Ph.D.
- Haley Rogers -
Judy Cottom
Judy most recently served as a Security Analyst for the IRS, is currently retired and serves on the Board of Directors for Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss. Judy became involved with Fresno SOS in 2006 after losing her son Nicholas Jason Cattelan.
"My husband and I's involvement with Fresno SOS has helped us make something good out of the tragic loss of our son. We enjoy being able to speak to students and maybe make a difference so that other parents don't have to go through what we and so many others have. We have also made some great friends who know what we've been through because they have been there too."
Doreen is a Children's Service Coordinator II and is a graduate of National University, completing her BA in Psychology with a minor in Addictive Disorders and her Masters in Forensic Science. In the year 2005 she lost her brother, Joseph R. Silva to suicide and has been working side by side with Fresno SOS for five years, most recently serving on the Board of Directors.
"I am involved with Fresno SOS because I lost my brother to suicide. My involvement as a Board Member is my way of educating another person, family and community. My goal is to prevent this act from happening again."
- Doreen Silva Gutierrez -
