Depression is Treatable.
Suicide is Preventable.
Take action.
Speak up.
Reach out.
Our Mission
The Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation is committed to reducing the rate of suicide in the region by encouraging and coordinating collaborative efforts to provide diverse prevention and awareness messaging, education, advocacy and funding.
Our Board
President - Barbara Endres
She is currently employed with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. Barbara is an active member in the community, donating many hours every week to various charities. She is a member of Club 20 and she is grateful to live in the Grand Valley.
Vice President - Jim Doody
He is a Grand Junction City Council member and former mayor. Jim founded the Western Slope Vietname War Memorial Park in Fruita and serves as its president. He enjoys touring Western Colorado on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Secretary - Cynthia Mill
Cynthia is married to Kurt and is a mother and grandmother. She and Kurt lost their youngest son to suicide. She has lived in Grand Junction for 19 years and has worked in recreation, retail and education. Cynthia is involved with various community organizations and is the board secretary.
Herb Bacon
Retired banker and beloved philanthropist. Herb and the Bacon Family Foundation are benefactors of many worthy community causes and major figures in furthering the development of a vibrant city and region. He and his wife, Laura May, also enjoy many wonderful travel adventures.
Ken Elliott
Dave Fishell
A well known personality in the area, Dave is the local authority on Western Colorado. He's put his talents and passion to use authoring "A Spirit of Charity: A History of St. Mary's Hospital, 1896-1996", The Grand Heritage: A Photographic History of Grand Junction, Colorado" and "Towers of Healing: The First 125 Years of Denver's Saint Joseph Hospital." He's conducted numerous field trips to western Colorado and eastern Utah ghost towns, abandoned mines, old railroad sites and historic cemetaries.
Dr. Phil Mohler
All board members contribute to the Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation.
Our Staff
Karen Levad -- Executive Director
Karen began working with suicide prevention in Mesa County in 2003 when she served as coordinator for the Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition, a group of concerned citizens and organizations committed to reducing the high rate of suicide in the area. In 2005 Karen was named Outstanding Community Leader in Suicide Prevention in Colorado by the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado. Karen recently rejoined the prevention efforts in 2012 when she was named executive director of the Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation. Karen's email address: karen@suicidepreventionfoundation.org
Chuck Kornman -- Assistant to Executive Director
Chuck brings extensive expertise and wisdom to his work with WCSPF. His many years as a Victim's Assistance Advocate and as a Red Cross crisis team member provides a strong foundation in understanding the impact of tragedy in people's lives. He's a Spell Binder story teller and enjoys his time with kids. He's also one of our QPR trainers and makes many public presentations about suicide awareness.
