Skate Party Jam To Raise Funds For Youth Suicide Prevention

KENDALL (CBS4) – Brothers Justin and Jason Menendez were only 16 months apart and inseparable as boys.

"My mom would dress us up the same as if we were twins but were so close in age," said 17-year old Justin.

In April of 2009, Justin came home from school and found his 13-year-old little brother had committed suicide.

"If he had mentioned it or threatened about it, we would have at least guessed that it was coming. He never gave you any indication he was contemplating it," Justin Menendez said.

Menendez said he decided to do something to honor his brother and to help others who may be contemplating taking their own young live, so he created the J.A.M. Foundation.

"J.A.M. is his initials, Jason Anthony Menendez," Justin Menendez told CBS4's Vanessa Borge.

Menendez said the goal of the organization is to help spread awareness of the astonishing high rate of suicide among teens and children; suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens.

"It's kind of sad how common it is but people don't talk about it because they say its taboo, if you talk about it you plant an idea," Menendez said.

Monday night the J.A.M. Foundation is holding a skate night at Super Wheels in Kendall to raise money for clubs they hope to create within public schools.

"We're creating awareness, but not just of suicide - cyber bullying, bullying, things that lead to suicide," said Menendez.

Since his brother's death, Menendez has worked exceptionally hard to get the word out in hopes of preventing a tragedy like the one he and his family have endured.

"I'm very focused, I know what I want to get done, not just for me but for my brother," said Menendez.

The fundraiser at Super Wheels, at 12265 SW 112th St. in West Kendall, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and all the proceeds will go to The J.A.M. Foundation.

Help is available for children and teens considering suicide at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK or Teen Talk (305) 377-TALK.