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April 21, 2025

HERE TOMORROW GATHERS TO HONOR FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS, MILITARY ABOARD USS ORLECK

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – Suicide prevention nonprofit Here Tomorrow hosts its third-annual Gather to Honor memorial event aboard the USS Orleck on Saturday, April 26 from 11 am-1:30 pm.

Held each spring, Gather to Honor pays tribute to veterans, active-duty military and first responders who have died by suicide, as well as those recovering from hopeless or suicidal thoughts.

Veterans represented 6.2% of the U.S. adult population and 15.4% of U.S. adult suicides in 2022, based on the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Likewise, the suicide rate among Florida first responders is more than twice that of working-age Floridians, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The Here Tomorrow military & first responder program launched in October 2022, serving more than 175 individuals who’ve served our country and community. Certified Recovery Peer Specialists at Here Tomorrow, who have lived experience overcoming suicidal ideation, are available to assist individuals in crisis 365 days a year, including this Saturday.

“Join us to honor the strength and resilience of our heroes – military, veterans, and first responders – who have faced the darkest battles and chosen to keep fighting,” says Here Tomorrow peer and ex-paramedic Jessi Garrison. “Your support shows them that they’re never alone.”

Gather to Honor speakers will include former Atlantic Beach Police Sergeant Brannon Hicks, who now manages the Here Tomorrow military & first responder program, as well as Sophros Recovery CEO Nick Padlo, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Media interviews will be conducted beginning Saturday at 10:15 am.

The USS Orleck is docked at 610 East Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville. Attendees can enjoy a free lunch from Mission BBQ and a complimentary tour of the Jacksonville Naval Museum (Home of the USS Orleck).

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Media Contact

Mariel Acosta: 703-565-4464, Mariel.Acosta@heretomorrow.org

About Here Tomorrow

The mission of Here Tomorrow is to transform lives by building a community where suicide prevention is accessible without barriers. Here Tomorrow’s Certified Recovery Peer Specialists have supported more than 2,300 individuals in crisis at no cost and with no wait. All Here Tomorrow services are no cost through an entire year for friends (those feeling hopeless or suicidal) and family (those concerned for a loved one). Here Tomorrow is open 365 days a year at 910 3rd Street in Neptune Beach and 904-372-9087.

On Day 3, Day 60 or even Day 365 — no one knows exactly when a breakthrough will happen or when help will be needed most. That’s why Here Tomorrow Inc. ensures that military members and veterans struggling with mental health challenges never have to face them alone.

Read more here: https://vystarfoundation.org/stories/archive/support-that-never-stops-how-here-tomorrow-stands-by-military-members-and-veterans

Here Tomorrow is hosting its first concert dedicated to sharing conversations that encourage vulnerability and remind us that it’s okay to not be okay. All proceeds will directly benefit the no-cost, year-long mental health support Here Tomorrow offers to individuals struggling with hopelessness or suicidal thoughts.

When: Saturday, February 22nd at 5PM
Where: Atlantic Theatres
751 Atlantic Boulevard
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

Purchase Tickets Today!

Learn More

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced a request for $3.6 million in funding to improve mental health care for Florida’s first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, dispatchers, and Emergency Medical Services personnel. During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) will work with lawmakers and stakeholders statewide to secure funding and develop a comprehensive mental health, peer support program, and psychological services to support Florida’s first responders.

Here Tomorrow Chair & Founder Joe Kenney said, “Every call first responders take has the potential to impact their mental health; it’s vital that resources are provided to help them cope. No one needs to suffer alone and thank you to CFO Patronis for stepping up for these heroes.”

Read more here: https://myfloridacfo.com/news/pressreleases/press-release-details/2025/01/06/cfo—state-fire-marshal-jimmy-patronis-requests–3.6-million-for-first-responders’-mental-health-support

Here Tomorrow Painting

At Here Tomorrow, we view art as a meaningful way to communicate hope and healing. Recently, we collaborated with artists Brooke and Chase Lawrence to create a powerful painting that symbolizes the journey of overcoming mental health struggles. 

Now proudly displayed in our meeting place, this piece beautifully captures our mission: to be a beacon of support and a source of hope for those in need. We sat down with Brooke and Chase to dive deeper into the inspiration behind their mural and the symbolism woven into their artwork.

The Artists Behind the Artwork

Brooke and Chase Lawrence met in college while pursuing the same art degree, and their creative journey has been intertwined ever since. Though they started their careers as individual artists, their partnership grew naturally after graduation, and they began working together as one creative force. 

“We’ve been working together since 2019, and everything just flowed very naturally,” said Chase. Now, the duo works seamlessly, creating their pieces interchangeably and simultaneously – an approach that some might find hard to grasp but one that works perfectly for them.

Initially known for their landscape paintings, Brooke and Chase have more recently pivoted toward contemporary art. This shift gave them the creative freedom to explore new themes and techniques, ultimately leading to their inspiring mural for Here Tomorrow.

From Conversation to Creation

The inspiration for their mural stemmed from meaningful conversations with the Here Tomorrow team, who shared their stories about emotional struggles and hope. “It was natural to think of an image of people coming out of a storm,” said Chase, the older brother of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

With this vision in mind, Brooke and Chase created a majestic landscape that reflects the transition from darkness to light, incorporating a European-inspired classical style. The painting features a stormy sky clearing into a peaceful, sunny scene, symbolizing the journey of overcoming mental health struggles. 

“Here Tomorrow is that rainbow that brings people out to the other side, showing them that life is worth living,” said Brooke. “We wanted to remind people that even in their darkest moments, they are not alone and that there’s always a path toward healing and light.”

Bringing the Concept to Life

Brooke and Chase approached the painting with a clear vision: to create a piece that feels both timeless and deeply personal. They aimed for a traditional yet dramatic style, using depth, texture, and lighting to evoke strong emotions.

“We wanted it to tell an all-encompassing, relatable story that everyone can see themselves in,” said Brooke. The painting features a neon-orange lifeboat, symbolizing those who have made it through the storm, while the empty boats represent those lost to mental illness. 

Silhouetted figures evolved naturally during the creative process. “It just kind of happened,” Chase said. “We realized the figures had this soldier-like energy, which fit perfectly with Here Tomorrow’s work with veterans and first responders.”

Every element was chosen to resonate with viewers and help them reflect on their own experiences of hardship and healing. They added intense texture to the painting, which Chase described as having “peaks and valleys,” giving the piece even more depth and dimension.

The Core Message of Hope

At its core, the painting embodies hope and resilience. The ray of light breaking through the clouds signifies that even in the darkest times, there is a way forward. Brooke and Chase wanted this message to resonate with everyone who views the artwork, particularly those connected to Here Tomorrow.

With mental health in the spotlight now more than ever, this artwork is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking help and finding support. “Even if they’re feeling incredibly hopeless and lost, we want people to feel some ray of hope,” Brooke said. “We want them to know that there’s an honest, true, and safe support system for them at Here Tomorrow.”

Spreading the Message Through Merchandise

Recently, our team launched merchandise featuring the artwork, extending the message even further. The artists believe the merchandise can inspire conversations about mental health. 

“Seeing the image, even if reproduced and printed on merchandise, people will ask questions,” Brooke said. “When someone starts to feel that there is hope and a support system, they are more likely to open up.”

Support Here Tomorrow’s Mission

Brooke and Chase Lawrence’s artwork for Here Tomorrow is not just a painting; it’s a story of resilience, hope, and community support. By purchasing merchandise featuring this inspiring piece, you contribute to the ongoing mission of Here Tomorrow and help spread awareness about mental health. 

Join us in supporting this incredible cause and bringing hope into our communities. Explore the Here Tomorrow shop today and see how you can give back.

For suicide prevention day, the city is working on a way to help others that may be thinking about suicide. They are offering suicide prevention training to its employees in memory of a former coworker who died by suicide. The training includes resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and aims to destigmatize conversations about suicide.

Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSlM5ZphiKE

September 3, 2024

 

CITY OF NEPTUNE BEACH, HERE TOMORROW TEAM UP ON WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY AND THROUGHOUT NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

 

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – The City of Neptune Beach is honoring a former employee by partnering with local nonprofit Here Tomorrow throughout National Suicide Prevention Month.

Suicide prevention awareness is spreading all September long, highlighted by QPR training on September 10 from 11 am to 12:30 pm at Neptune Beach City Hall (116 1st Street).

 

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. Much like CPR, it saves lives, teaching how to identify and support individuals in crisis.

 

On World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown will join other elected officials and staff members from the Cities of Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach to learn from Here Tomorrow’s certified QPR instructors.

 

“The City of Neptune Beach is incredibly proud to have the Here Tomorrow organization as a vital part of our community,” said Mayor Brown. “Their unwavering dedication and essential services play a crucial role in supporting the well-being of our residents. We recognize their profound impact and are grateful for their commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of so many.”

 

Mayor Brown and her staff are training in honor of Miklos Stoffel. On May 16, 2023, Stoffel died by suicide while serving as the city’s chief information officer. He was 50 years old.

 

Beginning at 10:15 am on September 10, Mayor Brown and Here Tomorrow education & training manager Jess McCrosky will be available for media interviews.

 

Here Tomorrow is conducting two other QPR trainings this month that are free and open to the public. They will occur on September 4 and September 25 from 6 to 7:30 pm at Here Tomorrow’s main office in Neptune Beach (910 3rd Street). Here Tomorrow is also sponsoring the North Beaches Art Walk on September 19 from 5 to 9 pm at Beaches Town Center (200 1st Street).

 

The City of Neptune Beach and Here Tomorrow’s suicide prevention efforts are funded by the Florida League of Mayors. Mayor Brown and Here Tomorrow leaders received a $2,500 City Catalyst Grant on August 14 at the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference in Hollywood, Fla.

 

Media Contact

Joshua Rey: 786-554-5667, Joshua.Rey@heretomorrow.org

 

Photo Caption (L-R)

Celebrating a $2,500 City Catalyst Grant are Here Tomorrow founder Joe Kenney, Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown, Here Tomorrow director of peer services Amanda Frankenfield, Here Tomorrow executive director Tracee Holzendorf and Florida League of Mayors Past President Scott Brook.

 

About the City of Neptune Beach

Welcome to the City of Neptune Beach – a small, quiet coastal community nestled on the northeast coast of Florida between Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach. Neptune Beach has a comfortable, casual and laid-back atmosphere that invites people of all ages to enjoy the beach and other areas of natural beauty. The hard-packed sand is great for cycling and the waves are ideal for surfing. 

 

About Here Tomorrow

The mission of Here Tomorrow is to transform lives by building a community where suicide prevention is accessible without barriers. Here Tomorrow’s recovery peers have supported more than 2,000 individuals in crisis at no cost and with no wait. All Here Tomorrow services are no cost through an entire year for friends (those feeling hopeless or suicidal) and family (those concerned for a loved one). Here Tomorrow is open to adults and teenagers 365 days a year at 910 3rd Street in Neptune Beach and (904) 372-9087.