FrontLiner Profiles: Laura Martovitz

Laura Martovitz, founder of the Ride For Life Poker Run.

“It is an honor and privilege to be a part of the Frontline Service team! Together we are saving lives!”

Laura Martovitz is the founder of the Ride for Life Poker Run event and has been involved in supporting FrontLine Service since 2017. 

How long have you been involved with FrontLine?   

I've been working with FrontLine Service since 2017. The work they do with helping those who are in any type of crisis is not only impressive, it is amazing and heartwarming. The call center, the Mobile Crisis Team, and all the hard work of the operators and supervisors touches me personally. No matter where someone might be in their life, either homeless, or struggling financially, it doesn't matter, FrontLine Service is there to help. 

I have a fundraiser every year for suicide awareness and prevention called the Ride for Life Poker Run. My son died by suicide in 2008, and ever since then, I've made it my personal mission to educate others on the importance of educating themselves in knowing the signs and symptoms of suicide. I took my love for motorcycle riding and combined it with wanting to educate others. So, that is how the Ride for Life Poker Run started.  

How did you become a partner with FrontLine? 

My son had the signs and symptoms, but because I was not educated, I didn't realize that that was his problem. That is why raising awareness and educating is so important to me. I don't want that to happen to anyone else. I never knew that there was a place like FrontLine Service, where they offer help, before, during and after crisis. 

After a few failed attempts on finding the right place to give the Poker Run's proceeds, I found FrontLine Service. I read on how they give back to the community, and how they help others who are in crisis. I knew that they would be a perfect match for where our proceeds should go, and where they would help the most.  

What do people often misunderstand or don't know about FrontLine or the work we do?   

To me, it is very important to make sure that the education of suicide and depression symptoms is available to everyone. That is the Ride for Life Poker Run's mission. I say this at every Poker Run, that if you see a friend, family member or neighbor acting out of sorts, talk to them, give them a smile or a hug. Let them know you care. You might just change their mindset, and you could possibly save their life. 

What is a FrontLine memory that sticks with you?  

A young woman came to the Poker Run a few years ago. Her husband had died by suicide, and their children found him. The trauma in that family really hit them hard. She reached out, and FrontLine Service was there for them. The entire family received help. The children were able to have a therapist come out to their house, talk to them, and help them through their trauma. 

If you could make the whole community understand one thing about the work we do, what would it be?  

I believe that every community needs to be aware of what FrontLine Service does and that it is available to everyone. That they have the Crisis Line and a Mobile Crisis Team that offers help to those who are in crisis, that they serve the homeless, offer medical help and medicine to those who suffer from mental illness.  

FrontLiner Profiles reflect the views of the person interviewed.  
They do not necessarily reflect the view of FrontLine Service.