OUR TIMELINE

May 2009 - The first Jesse Klump Memorial Scholar was chosen.

July 2009 - The JKMF obtained 501(c)3 non-profit status.

August 2009 - The first fundraiser, Jesse’s Paddle, was held in August with over 100 guests.

August 2010 - The Board of Directors began conversations about establishing a youth suicide awareness and prevention program for Worcester County, a county with historically high rates of suicide. 

Early 2011 - The first monthly suicide grievers' support group meeting was convened.

September 2011 - The Fund launched the Jesse Klump Suicide Awareness and Prevention Program and the first Outreach Coordinator joined us.

2012 - The Fund began sponsoring Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for educators, healthcare professionals and interested private citizens. 

2013 - Our first suicide prevention website was launched. 

2014 - The Jesse Klump Memorial Fund sponsored the first Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Ocean City.

2015 - SOS! Signs of Suicide was introduced in every public middle school health class.

2016 - The Suicide Prevention Coalition of the Lower Eastern Shore convened, creating a partnership of over 20 agencies.

2017 - The start of a grant program to fund educators' and heath care workers' attendance to conferences, classes and workshops.

2017 - The JKMF introduced STOP!T to students at Stephen Decatur Middle School. STOP!T is an anonymous bullying reporting app.

2018 - Save a Shore Farmer launched to address the unusually high rates of suicide in farm families.

2018 - The 10th annual Jesse's Paddle drew a record crowd.

2018 - The100th survivors' support group met, having served over 100 post-suicide grievers.

2019 - Weekly e-newsletters started, going to 700+ subscribers. 

2020 - We reached the 500th tabling event at which we have exhibited.

2022-JKMF supports the Eco-Therapy Adventure Camp for local youth
 

2023 - The JKMF's first grant program with Salisbury University funded Masters' Degree work for a social work student.

2024 - The JKMF launched the Lower Eastern Shore's first Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team.

2025-JKMF launches school-based anti-bullying and kindness programs and creates The River of KIndness at Stephen Decatur Park