You may have seen the recent post in the Bristow Discussion group on Facebook about Dustin Pulley’s Project E.L.M. concept and the hope behind it. Many community members offered encouragement, practical advice, and personal sentiments in support of his idea—one that addresses the difficult topic of suicide.
Madison Holmes commented, “Love this idea. As someone who lives in Depew, and whose three sons lost their dad almost two years ago to suicide, it's really hard on families. Definitely a beautiful idea!” Others tagged friends and offered suggestions, helping the idea gain traction and support.
Dustin’s vision stems from his own personal loss: in 2019, he lost both his brother and best friend to suicide. This tragic experience led him through a difficult time, but five years ago, he began forming what has now become Project E.L.M.—short for Every Life Matters. Mental health can be a challenging subject to address with family and friends, but Dustin believes this project will bring people together. It’s designed to support both those who have lost loved ones to suicide and those struggling with suicidal thoughts, offering a space where love, hope, and healing can coexist. Dustin shared, “If one life is saved by this project, then my brother’s death and my work on this project have served it's purpose.”
On April 7th, Dustin presented Project E.L.M. to the City Council and received approval to move forward. With this green light, he’s advancing into the next phase of the project. While community support has been strong, funding remains essential. Dustin is actively working to get local businesses and individuals involved to help bring his vision to life.