About Us
LOSS Community Services brings together a community of loss survivors who learn from and support one another.
About Us
LOSS Community Services brings together a community of loss survivors who learn from and support one another.
A Community of Hope
Our Founder, Denise Meine-Graham, lost her son, Drey, to suicide in 2012 and she found the support of a fellow suicide loss survivor invaluable. LOSS began supporting loss survivors as 1st Responders in 2014. When activated by the Coroner’s office, trained volunteers immediately provide resources, understanding, and support to the newly bereaved. At least one LOSS volunteer is a survivor of suicide loss and the newly bereaved often connect strongly with them. To the newly bereaved, witnessing a fellow loss survivor functioning at this level can be inspiring, thus the seeds of hope are planted. Today, LOSS offers support groups, remembrance events, companioning, suicide postvention and prevention education, and training to other communities interested in developing or enhancing their suicide postvention and prevention efforts.
Our Mission
LOSS exists to be an instillation of hope to those bereaved by suicide, empowering survivors so they can thrive.
Our Vision
LOSS envisions a community of loss survivors experiencing a restoration of hope and standing together for suicide awareness.
Staff
Staff
Executive Director
Angela Damon, CT
Angela graduated from The Ohio State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and has a Certificate in Thanatology from the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). She is a Master Trainer of both QPR (Question Persuade Refer Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper) and CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) as well as being certified in NOVA Crisis Response Training and Psychological First Aid. Additionally, she is a Psychological Autopsy Investigator and serves on the Franklin County Suicide Fatality Review Board.
Angela started as a volunteer with LOSS in 2017 as a First Responder. She has since taken on many roles including overseeing Suicide Prevention Initiatives and now as the Executive Director. Through her life experiences and relationships, Angela has seen firsthand the power of hope in even the darkest times and believes hope is a beautiful and precious gift that any person can offer to another.
Angela is passionate about equipping people, regardless of their background, to recognize warning signs and talk comfortably about this difficult topic and to spread awareness around Postvention. She has presented to top Air Force leaders as well as at the Columbus First Responders Conference, the Veteran’s Affairs Women’s Behavioral Summit, the Columbus Public Health Department, and multiple schools, businesses, and churches.
Social Media and Marketing Coordinator
Myrriah Clarke
Prior to becoming involved with LOSS in 2021, Myrriah worked at NovaCare Rehabilitation in Patient Satisfaction and Marketing, at the Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce as an Events Coordinator, and for a now-defunct local band as a Production Assistant. She spent eight years volunteering for the Arthritis Foundation, three of which were on the Planning Committee for the Columbus Walk to Cure Arthritis. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Franklin University, graduating summa cum laude and on The President’s List and receiving a Raymond E. Mason Scholar Award.
Myrriah’s drive in life is to better the world around her, focusing on encouraging mental health care and its de-stigmatization, animal welfare, reducing environmental impact, and spreading empathy and kindness. She loves traveling and creative outlets, and lives in Columbus with her husband and three spoiled cats. Myrriah considers it a great honor to be part of the LOSS team and have the opportunity to further their mission of being an instillation of hope to those bereaved by suicide.
Survivor Resource Coordinator
JoJo Taylor
JoJo has advocated for mental health awareness since she lost a close friend to suicide in 2015 and began to address her own struggles with depression. When her mom died by suicide in 2020, JoJo became fully devoted to furthering the conversations around suicide, grief, and mental health. She started volunteering with LOSS in 2021 and joined the LOSS staff in 2022.
JoJo has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Ohio State University. She previously spent several years at Honda as an electrical engineer and engineering coordinator, focused on optimizing manufacturing processes, robot automation, and safety policies. JoJo enjoys crafting and playing video games in her free time. JoJo lives in Marysville with her husband, newborn son, and two cats, Buttons and Bagel, (and many unfinished craft projects).
Marketing Coordinator
Alex Moraes
Born at a very young age, Alex has always been interested in art and design, and he spent much of his early years independently pursuing this passion. Rather than going to art school, he taught himself graphic design, web design and how to draw, because art school is a scam and he isn’t made of money. Now he’s a double black belt in Photoshop and WordPress, which is arguably better than an art degree. He can also juggle. Truly the complete package. Now Alex is working at LOSS Community Services, where he does the marketing, graphic design and runs the website, which is how he’s going to get away with this bio. He will likely be told to “workshop” his bio once one of his coworkers stumbles upon it in the future.
When he isn’t busy being kickass at his job, Alex enjoys drawing, playing guitar, listening to music, complaining, reading and playing video games.
Volunteer Coordinator
Izzy Smith
Always passionate about mental health, Izzy pursued her degree in health communications hopes of helping individuals better understand their rights and choices when it came to their own healthcare. Shortly after graduation, Izzy’s close friend died by suicide. After fighting her own mental health battles after her friend’s death. Her passion and desire to help expanded. Izzy joined the LOSS team as the full-time volunteer coordinator.
Izzy’s favorite self-care activities are audiobooks and coloring. And she is always taking book recommendations.
Suicide Prevention and Development Coordinator
Mel Bjorgen
Mel wishes she could get her degree in people because she loves them. She finally settled on getting a Masters of Divinity in Hospital Chaplaincy to be a ministry of presence for all those in need of spiritual and mental care. Previously she was the Lead Patient Experience Coordinator and OSU East Hospital, and worked in both Belize, Central America and Mexico as a global worker for ten years. Serving others is her heartbeat. Her love for people and her own mental health journey led her to LOSS and she is grateful to work in the field of suicide prevention. She is also excited to use her skills in relationship building to coordinate development for LOSS.
In her free time Mel is busy with 3 kids in their pre-teen and teenage years. They and her husband are a blessing. She is an advocate on social media for mental health issues, particularly trying to erase the stigma in the Christian community. She enjoys reading, writing, and watching any documentary as well as reruns of the Office.
Board
Board
President
Glenn Stephenson
Glenn is a Financial Services Specialist for Nationwide Retirement Plans, providing administrative experience since 1990. Glenn is a survivor of suicide. As an advocate for suicide prevention, awareness, and education, he served on the Suicide Prevention hotline for 19 years. During this time, Glenn provided training and mentorship to new volunteers, as well as serving over 3500 hours of phone coverage. Determined to find additional ways to reach out to a hurting community, he teamed up with LOSS Community Services to create policy, procedures, and training around postvention services. Glenn is passionate about good coffee and advocating for children to release them from abject poverty through Compassion International. He sponsors children in Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico.
Member at Large & Coroner's Office Representative
Dallas Allen
Dallas is a 2017 graduate from Muskingum University. During his time at Muskingum, he developed a strong desire to work within the field of individual and family services. Since graduation, he has gained vital experience working with individuals who suffer from various mental health issues and has helped them cope with those complications.
In July of 2021, he became the nation’s first Suicide Investigations Specialist that is based in a Coroner’s office. To date, he has completed over 100 in-depth psychosocial interviews with friends and family who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Secretary
Brian Foss
Brian has lived in central Ohio nearly all his life and has over 28 years of professional experience as an educator, adjunct professor, training manager, and business consultant. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and has a degree in Education from the Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans. He has worked at Chase since 2007 and currently serves as a performance improvement manager. Brian is a suicide survivor and volunteered for three years taking suicide hotline calls at Suicide Prevention Services before joining LOSS Community Services. He lives in Mount Vernon with his partner of 25 years and their five dogs.
Member at Large
Heather Fortney
Heather Fortney is a wife, mother, nurse, and teacher in Central Ohio who is enthusiastic about learning. She regularly attends professional development classes, and seeks opportunities to stay connected to the community, with a focus on the needs of children. Heather has served as a Sibling Liaison at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and has cared for many families over the years. She is often described as tenderhearted & has a strong desire to serve others.
That passion has recently turned into a commitment to shine light to people of ALL ages, especially those that have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide. Having lost her brother in 2020, her relationship with LOSS began and her mission to raise funds and awareness continues.
Heather realizes that there is always a need to prioritize her own mental health and rejuvenate. The things that bring her joy are daily walks, special meals with her family, swimming, travel (especially to the beach) and her orange tabby cat named Marnie.
Member at Large
Ronald Beach
Ronald Beach is a Columbus native who has a passion for public service. Ronald, a graduate of Ohio State with a Masters Degree in Public Administration, currently works with the Ohio Department of Aging. Mental health has always been a less talked-about subject within the military. As a veteran, Ronald wants to ensure that LOSS can have a connection with the survivors of veterans who have been lost by suicide. The strength and courage of survivors will continue to fuel the passion for the work here at LOSS.
Ronald has a wife and two children. They enjoy going on hikes, watching races, and playing outside in the yard.
Member at Large
Damien Hall
Damien comes to LOSS with a successful 20 year career working in Biotech and Medical/Clinical Research. In addition, he served in the U.S. Navy for 5 years and has traveled the world.
A near family tragedy led his research into both pre-and-postvention suicidal outreach, where through a colleague he learned about LOSS. He remains committed to our mission and goals and we’re happy to have him onboard.
Member at Large
Melodie Proper
Melodie has over 20 years of experience in technology strategy and program management. She studied Communications at Grand Canyon University and is currently pursuing an IT degree through Western Governors University. Her greatest passion is people. She serves many roles in several non-profit organizations and began volunteering with LOSS in 2019. Her mom died by suicide in 2006 and her niece in 2020.
Melodie is also a proud mom of two sons. In her spare time, she enjoys live music, theatre, movies, nature, art, travel, and exercise.
Founder
Founder
Founder and Director Emerita
Denise Meine-Graham
Denise founded LOSS Community Services in 2014 after her 19 year old son, Drey Meine, died by suicide in 2012. Under her leadership, over 5,000 loss survivors were provided support through the LOSS Team model, Supporting Groups, Companioning and In-Touch programs. One consistent thread of passion throughout Denise’s leadership roles is supporting and developing people and teams. Her passion is coaching, building, and equipping others to thrive. Denise led LOSS Community Services through 2021. She serves as the Founder and Director Emerita of LOSS to promote the mission, vision and values of LOSS.
That passion to help others move beyond just surviving to thriving has become very personal for Denise as she supports suicide loss survivors and equips individuals, teams, and communities to be suicide awareness advocates. Denise now leads the Ohio Postvention Infrastructure Development as a contractor with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. She also works with communities and states across the country to support loss survivors with effective care through suicide postvention programs. Denise is one of Dr. Frank Campbell’s associates and she serves on the National L.O.S.S. Team Conference Committee. She is a passionate speaker and advocate for suicide loss survivors.
