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About Us
The primary mission of our organization is Suicide Prevention through Awareness and Education. Formed in 2010 by our Executive Director, BJ Ayers, Grace For 2 Brothers Foundation continues its critical work for the community of Cheyenne and throughout the State of Wyoming.
The foundation will provide resource information and assistance to those who know someone in crisis, or to those who are in crisis; and provides support to survivors - those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Gf2b has been designated as a 501 (c) (3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. As such, we have tax exempt status with an assigned Employer Identification Number of: 27-1304145. Persons or organizations that make contributions to us may take a deduction in that amount on their own tax returns (but please check with your tax advisor).
| 2011-2012 Board of Directors | ||||
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| Rick Boheler President - Email |
Pam Frank Vice President - Email |
Amanda VanDolah Secretary - Email |
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| Jon Radomsky Treasurer - Email |
Brenda Arnold Member - Email |
Marisa Jensen Member - Email |
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| Dianne Lowe-Carpenter Member - Email |
Allysha Moreno Member - Email |
Tonja Moon Member - Email |
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| The Rev. David Stratton Member - Email |
BJ Ayers Executive Director - Email |
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Board Member Photos Courtesy of Martin Altenbern
About our Founder:
BJ Ayers, affectionately known to her sons' friends as “Mama BJ”, formed the non-profit organization Grace For 2 Brothers Foundation in November of 2009 following the death of her oldest son, Beau Wagner. Although Beau completed suicide on August 4th, 2009, BJ's personal and intense grief journey started several years earlier with the death of her youngest son, Brett, who had completed suicide on December 1, 2005 at the age of 19.
“My world, and that of my family, changed in an instant, when my youngest son Brett completed suicide. We all struggled to come to grips with how this vibrant young man could end his life. I grieved for my baby; I grieved for my surviving sons, for his friends and for my mother. It was something that changed our lives forever. Never- never in a million years, did I think we would ever have to endure anything like it again.
My life shifted and shattered once more with the tragic death of my oldest son Beau, who also completed suicide. My son was only 26 years old and left behind his own young son, Blaize Michael. Blaize is my heart, my grandson- he was just 16 months old when his Daddy died.
Beau had started on a downward spiral a few months before his death, and he promised me that he would not end his life. He promised. He knew what we had all endured with the death of his youngest brother. Unfortunately, our repeated attempts to help him ended in the worst nightmare a mother can face, and the circumstances, suicide, yet again invaded our lives. Another child taken from me- it still, some days, seems incomprehensible that I would have to endure this not once, but twice in my lifetime. I will never recover; I will never be the same. But life does go on- this much I know to be true.
I remember sitting in our backyard a couple of days after Beau died. Somehow, amongst all the people at the house in those first few terrible days, I was blessedly alone for a few moments. I remember the warm sun on my face. And I remember closing my eyes, and thinking to myself, 'Oh, God - I don’t know why this had to happen. Why would this happen again?' I wasn’t sure I had it in me to endure this heart-wrenching, visceral agony yet again. So I made a deal- a deal with God- that somehow, some way, He would give me the strength to somehow use me, to get to these kids, to the young adults- to somehow reach them so that another mother will not feel this pain.
This was not God’s plan, to have my sons end their lives in this tragic way. I will do everything in my power to make a difference. To make a difference in the life of just one person. Although I may not ever know if I’ve made a difference, I must try. My hope is to help. Just one life at a time.
To tell my story. Again. And Again. And Again.
I will NOT go quietly."
(BJ Ayers lives with her husband, Jeff, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Their surviving son, Blair, is the Head Sports Performance Coach for Eastern Michigan University, in Ypsilanti. They have one grandchild, Beau’s son, Blaize).
Board of Directors, Grace For 2 Brothers Foundation, 2010-2011
Press Releases and Grace In The News
2012
Group takes 2-pronged 'Steps of Grace' approach to helping avert suicides
2011
Suicide is often rooted in mental health problem
A family's Journey Towards Grace - Casper Star Tribune, Special Edition, By Our Own Hand
2010
2009
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