Learn More About Survivors Say

ABOUT US

Your Story on Your Terms

OUR MISSION


Our teams of experienced media strategists and spokespeople offer support and resources to survivors, victims and families impacted by high profile tragedies to help them manage the sudden flood of often overwhelming media attention they receive.

With the support of our trusted teams, survivors will have a say in if, when and how their stories are told.

We are a nonprofit organization which provides all of our services free of charge once we take on a case.

Our Vision

Survivors, victims and their families in moments of crisis will be supported through and, if needed, protected from the brightest media spotlight to cope privately and, if they choose, will be supported in how best to tell their stories in the way that most reflects their wishes. We will work to change the public narrative to focus moments of crisis and tragedy on the survivors, the victims, their lives, loves and legacies over perpetrators, tragedy and terror.

Our Work

When high profile tragedies strike, significant public and private resources are offered to support survivors, victims and their families as they grieve. Often in the midst of this difficult period, survivors are suddenly confronted by the local, state and, often, national or international media.

Law enforcement, prosecutors, medical centers, religious leaders, family and friends typically jump in to try and help manage the onslaught of media requests but, too often, their support is not enough.

Survivors Say is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing survivors, victims and their families with pro bono strategic communications services and resources in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy, serving as their adviser, advocate and spokesperson when – or if - they choose to engage with the media.

Working with law enforcement, survivor/victim advocates, religious leaders and others, we will pair a trusted and seasoned media relations expert or team with families in need, if they would like assistance. Through the immediate crisis and aftermath, we will offer tailored support in key areas most often needed by survivors of high-profile tragedies: Communications Strategy; Media Shielding and Outreach; Coordination & Support Around Key Events; Media Relations.

Here to Help

OUR TEAM

Survivors Say is a nonprofit organization formally created in 2021 by longtime communications advisor and former reporter David Guarino with significant support from survivors, victims, their families and those who work closely with them through a myriad of efforts. It was also supported throughout with the brainpower and energies of David’s colleagues at Melwood Global, the strategic communications firm he owns with John Boit – a fellow former newspaper reporter.


David Guarino

Founder & President, Survivors Say

Meet our Founder

Survivors Say is a Boston-based nonprofit created by David Guarino, a trusted strategic communications, political and business adviser to leaders, nonprofits, associations and corporations. David brings significant hands-on media relations and crisis management experience to Survivors Say, both as a longtime former newspaper and a strategic communications adviser.

As a newspaper reporter, David covered high-profile events including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 1994 mass shootings at women’s health clinics and many other violent crimes and accidents that led him to interview and work with survivors, victims and families. As a communicator, David directed all communications for the state’s chief law enforcement official in the Office of the Attorney General for two years. He later worked with Boston Marathon bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet, families who lost loved ones in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and other high-profile incidents.

Along the way, David had the opportunity to help those thrust into the limelight in the midst of family tragedies. With the support of countless friends and allies and his colleagues from Melwood Global, the strategic communications firm he co-owns, David officially founded Survivors Say with the goal of engaging other communicators and allies who support our mission, vision and goals.

A Community Effort

OUR SUPPORTERS

David Guarino established Survivors Say after extensive discussions with respected community leaders and elected officials who have witnessed firsthand the need for a nonprofit that will provide communications assistance to families in times of tragedy. Read a few testimonials from our dear friends below.


Maura Healey

Governor of Massachusetts
"Survivors and their families need a broad array of community, public and private support in their time of need, particularly in those most painful early days when the trauma is so raw that just getting by is a daily struggle. I'm so grateful David and his supporters have stepped forward to provide this critically important service and I have seen first-hand how beneficial it has been for survivors and their families. Our office is grateful to be able to work with nonprofits like Survivors Say in supporting people when they need it most."

Molly Baldwin

Founder & CEO, Roca
"David and his team bring compassion and caring to every story they tell. For more than a decade working with Roca, David has carefully worked through the sensitivities of communicating with and about those at the center of urban violence and trauma. Our mission, our team and, most importantly, the young people we serve, are better for having David so deeply involved. Most importantly, Dave is a compassionate and trustworthy person, which are essential qualities needed to do this special work to help and support people during such challenging moments of their lives."
In the News

OUR WORK, IN PRACTICE

We've compiled a collection of articles that either explain our work or demonstrate how we provide support. Each article below has been approved for public display by the affected families. As we note several times on this website, we would never share information about a client without their prior approval.