Benefit shows not only raise money, they raise awareness. Thus is the case for the CrisisLink fund-raising concert on Wednesday in Clarendon.
According to the web site for CrisisLink, a local nonprofit that provides programs dedicated to “crisis prevention, intervention and response” for the greater Washington region, someone in the United States dies by suicide every 17 minutes, and suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 24.
Wednesday’s concert featuring local acts Rome in a Day, Citizen* and members of the Lloyd Dobler Effect will spread the word about, and raise funds to support, CrisisLink’s programs.
“I generally think it’s important to do benefits in general,” said James Stevens, lead singer of headliner Rome in a Day, an area rock group that’s been performing for a little more than two years. “This one in particular, I’m not that familiar. That’s part of it. I wanted to become more familiar, support a cause I hadn’t before.”
The show, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Clarendon Grill, will also feature a raffle for an Epiphone EJ-200 guitar autographed by members of the Counting Crows. Tickets are $5.
When members of the recently-formed band Citizen* were approached about the show, they did some research that convinced them to take part.
“We usually jump at the chance to play these,” said Citizen* lead singer Jim Fanale. “We thought it was something a band could really help with.”
One of the major resources provided by CrisisLink, created in 1969, is its Suicide Prevention Hotline. Anyone at any time can call 800-273-8255, 800-784-2433 or 703-527-4077.
Anecdotally, many recent callers into CrisisLink have spoken of financial struggles; and college-aged students overall are one of the groups most at risk.
“It’s a time in young people’s lives when they are far from home, and have a lot of different stressers,” said CrisisLink Director of Development Marshall Ellis. “They’re away from their support system.”
The Wednesday show is part of the bigger Suicide Prevention Week through Sept. 12. For more information about other events, or info on CrisisLink in general, visit www.crisislink.org.
CrisisLink benefit show, featuring Rome in a Day, Citizen* and members of the Lloyd Dobbler Effect, at the Clarendon Grill (1101, N. Highland St., Arlington, VA; 703-524-7455; www.cgrill.com); 7 p.m. Sept. 9; $5.
