“Felton’s community and culture are just stellar. I admire what they’ve accomplished and what they continue to do,” reflected Peter Rojo as he retires from his role as Felton Institute Board Member and Co-Chair of the Governance Committee. “I’ll miss the wonderful people I’ve worked with all these years,” he added. Mr. Rojo brought invaluable experience from his decades long work with San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP) and his background in software engineering to his role as Board Member. Leading with compassion, Mr. Rojo’s lived experience speaks to both his professional and personal convictions on providing support and ending stigma for those experiencing mental health issues.
Originally from the Philippines, Mr. Rojo came to the United States with his family when he was a young child. Settling in California, he lived most of his life in San Francisco. He went on to work as a senior software engineer and acted as Assistant Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank in the Enterprise Functional Technology/HR Systems Division. It was while at Wells Fargo in the mid-80s that he first heard about SFSP. He eventually joined the historic organization’s life-saving work in the community.
Inspired by SFSP’s mission and dedication to suicide prevention and awareness, Mr. Rojo dedicated 30 years to the organization. He started out as a hotline counselor in the mid-90s, eventually becoming acting President of SFSP’s Board. “My personal connection always brings me back to how things have changed through the years with stigma around mental health,” Mr. Rojo said. “And knowing someone’s there when you need them is a comfort. Once friends, family and those in my inner circle know about my involvement, it opens up dialogue. I may not necessarily have the answers, but I know where they can go for help.”
In 2019 SFSP merged with Felton Institute. Mr. Rojo joined Felton’s Board when the merger took place. Over the years, Mr. Rojo has “grown a lot with Felton.” He added, “Being around professionals who share my tech background as well as other professions, such as clinicians, it’s been reassuring to know they’re out there doing the work. I know them personally and it’s given me hope,” he said.
As Mr. Rojo makes his departure, he looks forward to Felton’s future. “I admire the vision and the strategic direction that Felton’s leadership has gone through in creating a culture of excellence,” he said.
To learn more about San Francisco Suicide Prevention (SFSP), visit the SFSP Website or reach out to our supportive staff during standard 9 AM – 5 PM Monday to Friday business hours at sfsuicide@felton.org.
For crisis situations, you can reach us 24/7 through our crisis hotline and textline services.
Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services to transform lives. Our organization offers 50+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our award-winning programs, which have been recognized as national models, combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve.
Founded in 1889, Felton is the oldest secular non-profit social services provider in the City and County of San Francisco. We have expanded our services across most Bay Area counties and continue to be at the forefront of pioneering new approaches to meet the emerging needs of underserved populations.
We know what it looks like to successfully build community.
We foster impactful change by strengthening the community as a premiere service provider. We also strengthen other service providers by supporting them in their fiscal, human resources, communications, IT and overall agency operations. With Felton’s support, they are able to focus on providing the best services to their clients, doing the work they were meant to do.
Felton empowers the community and ensures successful outcomes to all we engage with.
Felton Institute is a tax-exempt organization registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 94-1156530.