Yellow
Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program®How it all began...
Yellow
Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program®
How it all began...
LEGACY OF THE YELLOW MUSTANG©
The Yellow Ribbon program was founded in 1994 by the parents of a bright, funny, loving teen, Mike Emme, who took his life when he did not know the words to say, or how to let someone know he was in trouble and needed help.
"Don't blame yourselves, Mom and Dad, I love you." It was signed, "Love Mike 11:45pm". In a move that totally stunned all who know him, Mike shot himself at a time of deepest despair. At 11:52pm his parents pulled into the driveway behind that bright yellow Mustang, - seven minutes too late!
The legacy started when Mike rescued a 1968 Ford Mustang from a field where it had sat neglected. He bought it, rebuilt it and painted it bright yellow. As Mike and his mustang became more and more active helping other teens and friends - giving them rides to and from school and work he became known as "Mustang Mike".
Streams of stories began emerging of the help Mike had given so many people. A young mother who's car had broken down late one night, leaving her and her two small children stranded on a dark road. Mike stopped and showed her his driver's license to assure her he would not harm them, got her car started, then accompanied them home to be sure they had arrived safely.
A classmate told of how Mike had canceled his order for a new transmission and bought two used ones from the salvage yard instead so that his classmate could get his car running too.
As the teens gathered to comfort the family, and each other, they discussed the tragedy of losing Mike. Mike's mom talked with the teens about creating mementos that others could have to remember him with, and she decided that yellow would be used in honor of the cherished yellow mustang. In response to teens asking what can we do?, - she told them, 'don't do this, don't attempt suicide'. 'If you are ever at this point of despair., please ask for help'! Kids took notes! Cards were made with the message to reach out for help, to never commit suicide, that It's OK to Ask4Help!
On the night before Mike's memorial services, his friends shared their grief and their tears as they pinned ribbons on the cards. Five hundred ribbon cards were placed in a basket and set out at his services. All the ribbon cards were gone at the end of the services!
Teens soon began to call and write, asking for 'those yellow ribbon cards', 'I want to give them to my best friend in case he/she would ever be in trouble and need help'.
The program began to spread and save countless precious lives. The program is worldwide today, continuing to grow and reach youth with help and comfort.
The ribbon became the symbol of the program when the teens began tying them their hair and pinning to their clothes on the day Mike died. Yellow was in memory of his cherished '68 Yellow Mustang.
The HEART in the middle of the ribbon is the symbol of the survivors left behind when loved ones die. Our hearts go on & our voices will speak for those who cannot.NOTE: Dale and Dar are available for Trainings, Presentations and as Keynote Speakers.
Call 303.429.3530 for more information
Dale and Dar Emme, Mike's parents:
We truly believe the words on the front of the card that we said to those
first teens were divinely inspired. We are even more convinced that this program is all divinely inspired by the fact that over2,500 precious youth lives have been saved through this program. We aren't the first, nor the only, parents who have said, or are saying these words...but kids heard them and now are hearing them around the world! We agree with the saying from our ancestors:
"It takes a village to raise a child", we add: " It takes a village to save a child".We are asking you to help! Please put the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention
Program® into your life - spread the word, distribute the cards, wear a Yellow
Ribbon, start the program in your community-school-work-church-LIFE,
reach out to youth and let them know you care.| Home | Email |
© 1995-2004 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program®
MAIL: PO Box 644, Westminster, CO 80036-0644 SITE: Orchard Court School, Adams County SD50
303.429.3530Fax 303.426.4496
