Gina Marek founded the nonprofit MY FAVE FIVE in 2016 after her son Jacob died by suicide at the age of 15 on February 13, 2016. Through supporting friends, the idea of MY FAVE FIVE evolved and Gina found a way to channel her grief and work to fulfill her son’s purpose of helping others. The idea of initially helping teens create their network of support evolved, after COVID, to offering the app to everyone as everyone needs their own personalized network of support. Gina leads the nonprofit’s outreach efforts.

“My hope is that the MY FAVE FIVE app can reach as many individuals as possible through mental health centers, universities, veteran groups and the community. I will not stop my effort to help others until I am reunited with my son Jacob. I know he will be proud of my efforts and his legacy will live on through the MY FAVE FIVE app.”