The Stitch
Why Do You Wear It?
There are an estimated 39 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse in the US alone. Most will never tell a soul.
“The Stitch” zigzag symbolizes your unique voice frequency.
By wearing it, you become a voice that can help move the issue of child sexual abuse from a taboo to a cause people love and support.
The Stitch Kit
Wear Your Voice
1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused prior to the age of 18.
When you wear “The Stitch,” each conversation you spark carries the power to transform the life of someone you love and break the stigma of child sexual abuse.
Get “The Stitch” kit and share why you wear it.
# THESTITCH
Stitch It
Add “The Stitch”
To Your Favorite
Articles Of Clothing
Shoot It
Shoot A Photo Of
Yourself Wearing
“The Stitch”
100% of public donations + profits from The Stitch fund in-person, one-on-one counseling nationwide for those personally affected by child sexual abuse.
Want to give The Stitch kit to each guest at your house party, conference, or special event? Contact us at info@speakyoursilence.org for custom orders.
Counseling
Discover your voice and innate value.
Matt’s life was transformed through counseling. Therefore, we make in-person, one-on-one counseling accessible for those personally affected by child sexual abuse anywhere in the US, regardless of their location.
For general inquiries, please contact us at info@speakyoursilence.org
How it works
We are partnered with Business Psychology Associates to create a world-class counseling program comprised of a nationwide network of highly credentialed and qualified professional counselors. This partnership makes it possible for anyone directly affected by child sexual abuse to access in-person, one-on-one counseling anywhere in the US.
For general inquiries, please contact us at info@speakyoursilence.org
About Us
Speak Your Silence is a nonprofit on a mission to conquer the stigma of child sexual abuse.
We were founded in late 2012 by Matt Pipkin, who was sexually abused by a family friend at age 6 and kept it secret for twenty years due to fear, shame, and guilt.
Matt’s life was finally changed a few years ago when he was surrounded by love from his family and friends, and realized just how innately valuable he truly is.
By wearing “The Stitch”, we transform the lives of those we love + protect future generations.
Matt Age 6
Matt Nowadays
Our Team
Matt Pipkin
Founder/CEO
Matt Pipkin is the founder and CEO of Speak Your Silence. He attended Purdue University, and additionally spent two terms abroad, attending American InterContinental University London and Dublin Institute of Technology. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer and Family Science in 2007 from Purdue University.
Matt has enormous vision, thrives on challenge, and is a product of the recession, giving him a knack for making big impact using limited resources. He’s never met a stranger, is an engaging speaker and strategic thinker, and he demands excellence in the finest of details.
Matt and his spunky and supportive wife, Ashley, live in the heart of downtown Boise, Idaho. They have a cat, Dennis, who thinks he’s better than them.
Liz Thompson
Chair
Liz Thompson serves as the President and CEO for C-Change in Washington, D.C. and is passionate about working with the cancer community to increase funding for research, to create advocacy programs that will support quality care and to drive new models for innovative treatments.
Thompson’s career spans 29 years in health and medicine, in the for profit and nonprofit arenas where she has earned a reputation as a progressive advocate within the global cancer research community. Prior to joining C-Change, Thompson served as CEO of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. She also previously served as President of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, responsible for setting strategy and execution of the organization’s $450 million investment in global mission programs, spanning research, advocacy and policy, community health and education and global health. Thompson earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota where she attended the Tom Brokaw School of Communications.
Shannon Austin, MD
Secretary/Treasurer
Shannon Austin, M.D. FAAP, is a board certified pediatrician passionate about helping her patients and their families achieve strong foundations for their overall health and wellness. She has been practicing at Southwest Children’s Center in San Antonio, Texas since 2009. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology at Trinity University and attended both medical school and residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Austin serves on the San Antonio Christian Medical and Dental Association Advisory Council. She is active in mentoring and supporting young doctors and dentists in training and organizing medical mission trips to underserved areas in South Texas.
Dr. Austin wears “The Stitch” every day on her stethoscope.
RV Brinkerhoff
Member
RV is the owner and operator of Brinkerhoff Foundation Drilling, specializing in brokering the sales of heavy equipment, serving the foundation drilling and earth retention industry. He is a seasoned businessman, with years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial development.
Speak Your Silence’s mission hits extremely close to the heart for RV and his wife, Amy. Their son, Cody, was sexually abused as a child, suffered in silence for twenty years, and in 2012, took his life.
Since losing Cody, RV and Amy have been major supporters of Speak Your Silence. To pay tribute to their son’s life and his powerful role in Speak Your Silence’s story, Cody Allyn Brinkerhoff will forever be recognized as the Honorary First Founding Member of The Loudspeaker.
RV and Amy live in Spring Branch, Texas. They have a whiffle-ball golf course on their property in the shape of The Stitch – a zigzag.
Matt Pipkin
Founder/CEO
Matt Pipkin is the founder and CEO of Speak Your Silence. He attended Purdue University, and additionally spent two terms abroad, attending American InterContinental University London and Dublin Institute of Technology. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer and Family Science in 2007 from Purdue University.
Matt has enormous vision, thrives on challenge, and is a product of the recession, giving him a knack for making big impact using limited resources. He’s never met a stranger, is an engaging speaker and strategic thinker, and he demands excellence in the finest of details.
Matt and his spunky and supportive wife, Ashley, live in the heart of downtown Boise, Idaho. They have a cat, Dennis, who thinks he’s better than them.
Sarah Woodley
Sarah Woodley is CEO of Business Psychology Associates (BPA), a Boise, Idaho company offering behavioral healthcare services and employee assistance programs. For more than 40 years, BPA has combined expert healthcare practices along with real world solutions that have made organizations more effective, lives better, and communities stronger. Sarah joined BPA in 1996 and has worked in quality assurance, finance, contract services and clinical office management functions for the organization. Sarah received a bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara (California) University in Spanish and Anthropology and studied at Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
Through its nationwide professional counselor network, BPA currently provides the counseling services offered by Speak Your Silence. Sarah believes deeply in the mission of Speak Your Silence and has tremendous respect for Matt and gratitude for his willingness to share his hope with the world.
Funding Model
100% of public donations + profits from The Stitch fund our counseling program.
Our people and overhead are funded entirely by members of what we lovingly call The Loudspeaker. This exclusive membership-based group of private donors and partners invests in us personally so we can hire the most talented and passionate people, grow the reach and impact of The Stitch, have an office we call home, and always have fresh coffee (inspiration) brewing.
For general inquiries, please contact us at info@speakyoursilence.org.
Founding Members
Cody Allyn Brinkerhoff
Honorary First Founding Member
RV & Amy Brinkerhoff
In Loving Memory of Their Son, Cody Allyn Brinkerhoff
Chet & Suzi Pipkin
Henry & Sarah Woodley
Matt & Alicia Ward
Reid & Camille Young
Sandi Obendorf
Josh & Rebekah Obendorf
Liz Thompson
Kris & Mandy Haynes
Timothy & Jessie Bryant
Carey & Daphne McNeal
Scott & Shannon Austin
Erika Greene
In Loving Memory of Lisa Greene
Scott & Rochelle Lamm
Paul & Gabrielle Krake
Becky Jackson
In celebrating 2 years since our founding, we’ve formalized a private group of friends who’ve kept our lights on, funded The Stitch, and multiplied our impact. We’ve dubbed them “The Loudspeaker“.
Meet our first Founding Members, listed above. Membership Commitment: $100+/month for 2 years *Availability limited to 30 Founding Memberships; one for each link of The Stitch.Donate
100% funds counseling that is transforming lives.
*each counseling session typically cost $60.
Fund someone's entire grant
Have questions? Email us at info@speakyoursilence.org.
To give by check, send to:
Speak Your Silence
106 N 6th St,Suite 224
Boise, Idaho 83702