2026 Breakfast for Hope: With Courage, We Heal

Samaritans held its 2026 Breakfast for Hope on Tuesday, May 5, at The Westin Copley Place. The event raised over $700,000 for our lifesaving programs, as more than 450 people attended in person and virtually. An anonymous donor generously contributed a matching gift of $100,000.

The morning featured moving personal stories from Samaritans community members. Chief Executive Officer & President Kathleen C. Marchi highlighted how the organization has expanded its suicide grief support services in recent years, including the addition of new SafePlace support groups, the launch of a walking group for young adults, and the creation of an annual summit for long-term loss survivors.

“It takes courage for people to ask for help, move forward after a loss, and seek out the type of support we provide,” Kathy said. “It is our responsibility to create as many opportunities as possible, so that everyone has a place to heal—a place to begin or continue their grief journey, at their own pace and among their peers.”

One of Samaritans’ newest programs is the LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors), which launched in July 2025. Tuesday’s event included an impact video featuring Sharon Police Department Sergeant Chris Dumais, Mayor of Braintree Erin Joyce, Samaritans Chief Clinical Officer Kacy Maitland, and Samaritans Senior Director of Suicide Grief Support Services Sissi O’Shaughnessy.

“Without Samaritans, there was a huge gap in the service being provided to the people in our community,” said Sergeant Dumais. “Prior to them coming in and being able to follow up with families and help guide them through the grieving process, that just didn’t happen.”

Sissi served as the event’s keynote speaker, sharing her story of losing her husband, Mark, to suicide in 2020. She spoke about the importance of creating spaces where loss survivors can share their hardest truths and be met with love and compassion. “That’s what Samaritans is for me and so many others—it’s a place where courage has somewhere to land.”

Sissi noted that courage isn’t about being strong all the time. “Courage might look like walking into a support group for the first time. Or saying your loved one’s name out loud, letting yourself cry in front of someone else, or simply getting through the day.”

I have more courage today than I did at the beginning of my journey because of this community.

The program also featured a powerful speech from Montanna Cassel—who lost her father to suicide—and her mother, Karin Cassel Mitterando. Karin shared that her healing journey began when she started working for Samaritans as Interim Chief Development Officer in 2023.

“When the exposure to other people’s pain overwhelmed me, Samaritans took care of me,” Karin said. “The depth of their thoughtfulness and warmth was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It’s impossible to explain the primitive, visceral pain I feel as a parent of children dealing with such profound loss. But the healing that has happened with Samaritans has helped me with that ache.”

Montanna shared that her healing journey began when she joined Team Samaritans for the 2024 New York City Marathon. “Since running that marathon, I have not stopped advocating for suicide awareness and mental health support. I am eternally grateful to Samaritans for welcoming us into their family. They are the reason I can pave my dad’s legacy the way I think he had hoped to live his life.”

Samaritans gave special recognition to the Callaghan family for being a champion of our work for nearly a decade. Julie and Kevin Callaghan became involved with Samaritans after their daughter, Delaney, lost a classmate to suicide. Inspired to help those who are struggling, Delaney joined the Helpline in 2018, providing a nonjudgmental ear for those who needed someone to listen.

“Samaritans’ impact has extended to our whole family,” said Julie. “Our family has seen how powerful Samaritans’ mission is. We support them not just because of what they do, but because of how they do it: with care, respect, and an unwavering belief that every conversation counts.”

In her closing remarks, Kathy asked audience members to think about something courageous they could do for themselves or others.

“I know talking about suicide isn’t easy. But all of the love, support, and community that we pride ourselves on was built on small acts of courage. Being courageous is how we change the stigma associated with suicide. It is how we help each other heal and find hope. And it is how we show people that no matter what they’re going through, and no matter how dark the world feels—they are not alone.”