Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) on June 20 welcomed a record 500 community members to the fifth annual Ripple Effect: Walk for Suicide Prevention, marking the largest attendance in the event’s history.
Ripple Effect brings together suicide loss survivors, youth and families, community leaders, and supporters to honor loved ones, reduce stigma surrounding mental health, and raise funds for culturally responsive suicide prevention and mental health services serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA/NHPI) communities.
The event, held at Zamperini Stadium in Torrance, featured survivor stories, youth speakers, a remembrance ceremony, performances by J-Town Taiko, community resource organizations, and a walk celebrating hope, healing, and connection.
After losing their son to suicide, Bonnie Tang and Greg Song inspired the Ripple Effect event.
Ripple Effect was inspired by Bonnie Tang and Greg Song, who approached LTSC following the death of their son, Nicholas Song, with the idea of creating a community walk focused on suicide prevention and healing. What they hoped might bring together 100 people has grown into one of Southern California’s largest AA/NHPI-focused suicide prevention events.
“After losing Nick, we wanted to create something that could bring people together and help others find support before they reached a crisis,” said Tang and Song. “We never imagined Ripple Effect would grow into an event welcoming 500 people. Together, we are changing the tide of shame and stigma surrounding mental health and reminding our community that it’s okay to ask for help.”
For Matthew Yonemura, staff member at LTSC, the event’s growth reflects a community increasingly willing to talk openly about mental health.
Team members signed banners and walked in memory of those lost to suicide.
“Every year, after the walk ends, I stop and look at the banners filled with names and messages of love, and I see the ripple effect happening in real time,” he said. “Each name represents a life that mattered, each message reflects someone who continues to be loved, and together they remind us that healing happens through remembrance, connection, and hope. That’s what Ripple Effect is all about.”
Linh Vo, staff member at LTSC, reflected on the personal significance of the event.
“Five years ago, I lost one of my closest friends to suicide. That loss inspired me to dedicate my career to supporting young people and suicide prevention,” Vo said. “Ripple Effect reminds me that healing happens in community. Thank you to everyone who showed up today with the courage to hold space for one another’s grief, love, and hope.”
Funds raised through Ripple Effect support LTSC’s Changing Tides program, including therapy stipends for youth and young adults, evidence-based suicide prevention training, survivor support groups, and culturally responsive mental health programming.
Since 2022, LTSC has:
- Trained nearly 2,000 people in suicide prevention through evidence-based workshops.
- Connected nearly 400 youth and young adults to therapy through the CT Stream Therapy Stipend Program.
- Provided more than 3,500 hours of therapy through a network of more than 80 culturally responsive clinicians.
- Expanded individual and group support services for survivors of suicide loss.
While Ripple Effect concluded with record attendance, the need for support continues throughout the year. LTSC is still accepting donations to sustain the program, including therapy stipends, suicide prevention education, survivor support groups, and free community mental health programming. For more information, visit www.thechangingtides.org to connect with services or contribute to this LTSC program.