Beyond The Shadows • Bremen, Ohio • 501(c)(3)

You Don’t Have to Walk Out of the Darkness Alone

We stand alongside families who have lost loved ones to suicide — offering hope, resources, and a community that understands what you’re carrying.

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“Our mission is to stand alongside families who have lost loved ones to suicide, offering a beacon of hope and support during their darkest times — dedicated to promoting suicide prevention and awareness while providing essential resources that address the emotional and financial challenges these families face.” — Mission Statement, Beyond The Shadows
What We Do

Helping Heal Hurting Hearts

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Person-to-Person Support

Compassionate, direct outreach from people who have been there — because grief is not a program, it’s a relationship.

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Literature & Resources

Mental health and coping literature distributed free to families in their most vulnerable moment, including our Still Here booklet.

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Follow-Up Care Calls

Ongoing outreach to children, siblings, and parents — because the hardest grief often comes after the world has moved on.

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Funeral Expense Assistance

Practical financial support for families navigating costs during the most overwhelming days of their lives.

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Prevention & Awareness

Suicide prevention and awareness materials distributed in our community — because every life saved is worth every effort.

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Community

A growing community of families and supporters who refuse to let anyone grieve alone — locally and beyond.

Malachi Kistler
Malachi Kistler January 1997 – June 2020
Shad and Malachi at graduation
Shad & Malachi — Graduation
Our Founder

A Father’s Response to the Worst Day of His Life

Shad Kistler built Beyond The Shadows after losing his son Malachi to suicide in June 2020. He knows what it is to get the call. To stand in a room that still holds someone’s presence. To carry questions that don’t have answers and find a way forward anyway.

“I created this because of him. Malachi’s life meant something. The only answer I found to what to do with grief — make sure other families don’t have to go through this alone.”

Shad spent years in ministry and recovery work — sitting with hundreds of people in their darkest moments. When darkness took his own son, he turned that same calling into Beyond The Shadows. Six years later, he is still here. Still carrying Malachi’s name into everything he does.

Read Our Full Story
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The Still Here Booklet

Seven chapters written by Shad from inside his own grief. Not a clinical resource — a real voice from a real father who knows what you’re carrying. Distributed free to families in the immediate aftermath of suicide loss.

Support Distribution
Upcoming Event

Rally for the Light 2026

Join us August 29, 2026 at VFW Chief Tarhe Post 1380 in Lancaster, Ohio for a full day of community fundraising. Every dollar raised supports families navigating suicide loss.

Event Details & Sponsorships Vendor Sign-Up
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Poker Run & Cruise

$20 buy-in per hand • Starts at Dairy Queen • Staggered 11AM–1PM • $777 best-hand prize

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Car / Bike / Truck Show

$20 registration at VFW • Judging at 2PM • Trophies • $250 People’s Choice

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Vendors, DJ & Raffle

Food & craft vendors 1–5PM • Live DJ • 50/50 • Raffle baskets

Get Involved

Volunteer With Us

We are broken people helping broken people. If you want to walk alongside families in crisis, we’d love to have you.

Get In Touch

Contact Us

Whether you’ve experienced a loss, want to get involved, or just need someone to talk to — we’re here.