Volunteer remembered at vigil
EL CENTRO — The Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center mourned and honored one of its own on Saturday.
Mathew Arthur Fields, a longtime volunteer at the center, took his own life in Kennett, Mo., on Oct. 12. He was 30 years old.
Prior to his passing, Fields resided in Brawley. He had lived in the Imperial Valley since 2010.
Fields led support group sessions the center would host.
He was studying at Imperial Valley College to be a drug abuse and alcohol counselor. He even took an internship with the center to learn more about how to be a counselor.
The LGBT Resource Center held a candlelight vigil from 4 to 6 p.m. at its headquarters on Ross Avenue.
Originally scheduled to take place in the parking lot, strong winds forced the event to take place inside the facility, the Chief Executive Officer Rosa Diaz explained.
About 10 participants who knew Fields personally gathered inside around a laptop. A virtual meeting was created, and other loved ones of Fields logged in and spoke.
According to his obituary, Fields was born in Manteca, Calif., and raised in Galt, Calif. He graduated from Galt High School in 2008.
He graduated from
The Kitchen Academy in March 2009 in Natomas, Calif., and continued on to work at the Ryde Hotel and Wholey Ravioli in Galt.
In 2014, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Additionally, Fields went on to work in maintenance at Disneyland — a theme park he reportedly loved going to.
During Saturday’s vigil, colleagues, friends, family of Fields — and even his IVC professors — shared some words, either in person or virtually.
Among those who attended in person was Karina Davila, a friend of Fields. She sang and played on her guitar some worship songs and some songs that she and Fields would listen to together.
Nema LeCuyer, pastor for First United Methodist Church of El Centro, tuned in and shared some words on how depression impacts the LGBT community.
LeCuyer said she has done many ceremonies on behalf of the church commemorating an LGBT person who has taken his or her own life.
First United is a fully-inclusive church, and has supported the LGBT Resource Center since its creation.
LeCuyer expressed strong empathy regarding depression and suicide. She revealed that when she was 21 years old, her own brother took his life. She said she believes depression can stem from one forgetting that “we’re part of God’s love.”
“Right now, Mathew is in the presence of God,” she said. “We lost our brother because of his depression; his mental illness.”
“It’s devastating for those who loved him,” LeCuyer said. “Visualize how happy and complete he is now.”
Diaz said the LGBT Resource Center was glad to be able to enjoy Fields as a friend and colleague.
She said the center makes a point of addressing mental health when dealing with youths.
“We find in many youths the thoughts of unhappiness, lack of motivation,” she said. “It’s a subject we need to keep bringing up in case we come across it.”
When dealing with more severe cases of mental illness involving one of its clients, the LGBT Resource Center will refer the client to more suitable outside agencies.
“I want you all to know that you have a friend in here with us at the LGBT Center,” Diaz said during Saturday’s ceremony. “This is a place you can call and we will do our best to provide our service.”