Bringing People out of Darkness
Into the marvelous light
Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention
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Our Story
The Darnell Deas, Jr. Marvelous Light Foundation Inc., a 501(c)3 non profit charitable foundation, was inspired and created by the Deas Family after suffering the personal loss of their beloved son and brother DJ resulting from suicide. It’s through this heartbreaking tragedy the family decided to rise above the grief and pain and create this foundation devoted to making a difference.
Darnell Deas, Jr., was a remarkable 16-year-old young man with an infectious smile and a humble spirit. He was always willing to help anyone in need on and off the field. DJ (as everyone called him) was a star athlete playing both Varsity football (Running back) and Varsity Track (Triple Jump). He was an honor student with a passion for building and designing and aspired to become an architectural engineer. A little-known fact is that DJ would always have a “hook” etched into his hair when he received haircuts. He always said it was because he wanted to be a “Fisher of Men” (Mark 4:19 KJV). DJ always believed that there was good in every human being, he was an inspiration to so many across the world.
Although he left this earth to soon, through this foundation we will keep DJ’s legacy and memory alive. We hope that you will join us in bringing others Out of the Darkness into the Marvelous Light.
With Your Help, We Are Making the World a Better Place
We are on a mission to ensure that teens and young adults speak freely and openly diminishing the stigma associated with suicide and mental health. There must be open dialogue and conversations to assist our youth with navigating through life successfully despite risk factors and give them strategies for coping with stress and pressure.
Dj’s Marvelous Light is doing this in Multiple Ways: Last year the foundation formed a team assisting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention raising over $3000 and had 100 walk participants.
This year we will host our annual Dj’s Marvelous Light 5k Walks in cities across the country. We will award four $1000 scholarships to seniors in high school who participate in writing essays on the topic of how the pressure of social media, sports, parents and education effects the mental health of adolescents, teens and young adults in today’s society.
We believe that if we begin these discussions with the youth in our communities we will be able to create tools and strategies to better assist them with life’s pressures.
In April 2019, we will begin offering FREE Mental Health First Aid throughout the country. Mental Health First Aid recognize, comprehend and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
Our Hope
It is our hope that DJ’s Marvelous Light will continue to shine bright by providing valuable information through education and advocacy bridging the gap between students, parents and educational institutions. So many of our youth are lost in the darkness, feeling alone and hopeless. It is our sincere
desire that you would join us in bringing others out of the darkness into the marvelous light.
CONTACT INFO
DJ Deas Marvelous Light Foundation, Inc.
1478 Walnut Creek Dr.
Fleming Island, FL 32003
Phone: (904) 716-3674
Email:
djdeasmarvelouslightfoundation@gmail.com
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
(Available 24 hours everyday)