Lantern of Light – Faith-Based Suicide Prevention

Lantern of Light is a faith-based, non-profit suicide prevention ministry, formed January 2019, by Cynthia Halman and Kim Garro, under the direction and sponsorship of Word of Life Fellowship, Mi Wuk Village, California. Our theme scripture is: Isaiah 9: 2 “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Lantern of Light was started because of the belief that faith communities can and should help in the solution of suicide in our county. Tuolumne County has a high rate of suicide, and unfortunately suicide is increasing at alarming rates in our nation (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 8, 2018). Lantern of Light is dedicated to help faith communities receive training for suicide prevention, and thus reduce the number of suicides in Tuolumne County.

Our Mission: Our mission is to provide evidence-based suicide prevention training for faith community members, thereby educating and empowering the faith community to help bring people out of the darkness of suicide, into the light of God’s love and hope.

Our Values: We value life, we value every relationship, and we value our faith community.

Our Vision: Our vision is to reduce the suicide rate, help remove the stigma associated with suicide, and help reduce the suffering of those impacted by suicide loss in Tuolumne County and beyond. Faith communities can and will become part of the solution of suicide.