In a powerful continuation of their mission to shine a light on mental health awareness, sisters Artemis and Sophia Mazzini, alumnae of Rutgers University, have launched a new endowment at Rutgers School of Social Work through their nonprofit, Into the Light. Established in memory of their father, the endowment will support MSW students pursuing careers in mental health with a focus on youth and young adult services.
The roots of Into the Light trace back to 2016, the year the sisters lost their father to suicide. His passing was a devastating shock—he was a high-functioning, social, and kind-hearted man whose struggles with depression were largely invisible to those around him.
“We realized very quickly how uncomfortable people were talking about suicide and mental health,” Sophia said. “We didn’t want his story to be shrouded in shame. We wanted people to know what really happened—and to know it can happen to anyone.”
What began as a one-time memorial run on Rutgers’ campus evolved into a full-fledged nonprofit. Their first event drew over 1,600 participants and raised $86,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The following year, Artemis and Sophia officially launched the nonprofit Into the Light, hosting community events and delivering presentations at high schools and college campuses throughout the region.
Their mission is simple but deeply personal: to rid the stigma around all mental health issues facing teens and young adults. “We are committed to providing support, education, and resources that improve and advance mental wellbeing,” said Artemis and Sophia. “Our vision is that people feel comfortable reaching out for help, where in their worst moments, they are met with understanding, empathy, and solutions.”
The newly launched endowment marks a new chapter in the sisters’ journey—one that brings their work full circle. The Into the Light Endowment will support students in the Master of Social Work program who are passionate about addressing youth and young adult mental health needs.
“We’ve always tried to balance giving locally and nationally,” Artemis said. “But this endowment is about creating a long-term, tangible impact—putting real people into the world who are going to help others in this space.”
Their decision to partner with the School of Social Work was influenced both by the alignment of missions and their family’s personal history. Their mother, who was a therapist for over a decade, instilled in them a deep commitment to care and service—values that were also embodied by their late father.
“Our dad was incredibly generous,” Sophia shared. “He gave generously and quietly, always finding ways to help others, through mentorship, acts of kindness, or simply opening his home and heart.”
Despite balancing full-time careers, graduate school, and personal milestones like marriages and home renovations, Artemis and Sophia continue to lead Into the Light, thanks in large part to the strength of their bond, continued help from their mom, and support from their community.
For both sisters, the work is as much about healing as it is about advocacy. “This gave us a way to cope, to talk about what happened, and to help others do the same,” Artemis said. “It feels good to put our energy into something meaningful.”
With plans to continue annual runs at Rutgers and deepen the impact of the endowment fund, Into the Light is building a legacy of hope—one student, one story, and one step at a time.
