#deargeorge
THE HEART BEHIND THE NAME
GEORGE
Jessie Jenkins Portillo has worked with underprivileged youth for over 16 yrs. In 2012, she embarked on a journey to New Zealand where her life was changed forever. In 2013, she began working with the youth of Dingwall Foster home and met a young man that was talented, popular and handsome. This young man's name was George. After getting to know him she found he faced many challenges in life and struggled with thoughts of suicide behind the daily smile he wore on his face. Eventually George was placed elsewhere and the interactions became less and less.
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In 2014, Jessie received a phone call that would mark her life forever. After only a few weeks of leaving Auckland, George wrote a long message on Facebook and decided to take his life. Having never lost a youth to suicide before she was shocked and began a journey that would stir her heart to fight for the lives of young people across NZ with a suicide prevention tour called Undefeated until 2016.
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In 2018, after hearing that youth suicide has doubled in America since 2017, Jessie decided that it was time to pilot a similar tour in America. When trying to decide on a name it was brought to her attention that the foundation should be named after the one that started it all: Dear George Foundation. This name is not to bring honor to suicide but light on those that are in a hidden struggle beyond what their friends and family can see. To provide a voice to the voiceless. Beyond just a tour, the Dear George Foundation will provide a social media platform and online community for young people to speak out and connect with others in a similar struggle.
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This organization seeks to encourage and help young people find help before they reach a point that suicide seems like the only option. All young people are encouraged to speak up, reach out and get connected!
OUR MISSION
IN-PERSON & ONLINE
1. Social Media Platform:
#deargeorge runs across multiple social media platforms. Through videos, an app and online communities #deargeorge will provide a place for young people to share the stories and connect with others across the country that have overcome suicidal struggles or seeking help. New videos using different creative art features (dance, spoken word, songs, table talks, etc) will be released monthly empowering young people to speak up, reach out and get connected.
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2. School suicide prevention and awareness school tour:
30-45 minute high energy, relevant show that uses creative arts to capture the hearts of young people and empower them to speak out when they are not okay.
3. Dear George Representatives:
Place a By Any Means rep in each school the tour visits to create a long term/consistent connection for the young people that respond.
4. Dear George Workshops:
Provide a space for young people that have responded to the shows to develop their creative arts skills (music, dance, art, etc.). This helps them find a connections to something they are passionate about to focus their attention on and develop.
STATS & FACTS
2017 CDC WISQARS
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As of 2017 suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people (ages 10-19) in Tennessee. This figure maintains a steady rise in both raw numbers and the suicide rate since 2014.
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The annual age-adjusted suicide rate is 14.0 per 100,000 individuals.
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On average there are 117 suicides per day.
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Firearms account for almost 50% of all suicides.
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Based on the 2017 Youth Risk Behaviors Survey, 7.4 percent of youth in grades 9-12 reported that they had made at least one suicide attempt in the past 12 months.
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575,000 people visited a hospital for injuries due to self-harm. This number suggests that approximately 12 people harm themselves for every reported death by suicide.