Kathleen Cooney Bonistall
Vice Chair/ Secretary
Kathleen is a lifelong resident of White Plains, NY. Kathleen has been married to Mark A. Bonistall for over 40 years and raised two beautiful daughters Kristen Elizabeth (1982) and Lindsey Marie (1985) in the White Plains community of Westminster Ridge. Kathleen’s oldest daughter (Kristen E. Bonistall, MSW), son-in-law (Ian D. Link), three grand-daughters Isabelle, Emilia and Ava, and many family members (Cooney & Bonistall) live in the surrounding area.
Kathleen earned her Master of Science Degree at the College of New Rochelle, NY in Art Therapy & Communication and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.
On May 1, 2005 Kathleen’s youngest daughter Lindsey was tragically and violently murdered in her off-campus apartment at the University of Delaware, which inspired the formation of PEACE OUTside Campus, The Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation. PEACE OUTside Campus is a non profit organization that advocates safety and security standards for off campus college communities nationwide. Kathleen is Co-Founder and Vice Chairperson of PEACE OUTside Campus and has made it her life’s passion to help reduce the risk of student victimization through positive empowerment in order to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other students and families. Kathleen is most proud of the foundation’s peer led community outreach program entitled “Teens ‘N Transition” which has brought risk reduction and safety information to our area high school students.
Prior to the death of her daughter, Kathleen provided grief counseling for the Hospice Program at Hackensack University Medical Center. She facilitated art therapy groups for children and adolescents that had lost family members due to terminal illness, suicide and homicide. In addition to her commitment to PEACE OUTside Campus, Kathleen is the Director for Home and Community Based Services at the Mental Health Association of Westchester, serving individuals with behavioral health needs.
Kathleen earned her Master of Science Degree at the College of New Rochelle, NY in Art Therapy & Communication and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.
On May 1, 2005 Kathleen’s youngest daughter Lindsey was tragically and violently murdered in her off-campus apartment at the University of Delaware, which inspired the formation of PEACE OUTside Campus, The Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation. PEACE OUTside Campus is a non profit organization that advocates safety and security standards for off campus college communities nationwide. Kathleen is Co-Founder and Vice Chairperson of PEACE OUTside Campus and has made it her life’s passion to help reduce the risk of student victimization through positive empowerment in order to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other students and families. Kathleen is most proud of the foundation’s peer led community outreach program entitled “Teens ‘N Transition” which has brought risk reduction and safety information to our area high school students.
Prior to the death of her daughter, Kathleen provided grief counseling for the Hospice Program at Hackensack University Medical Center. She facilitated art therapy groups for children and adolescents that had lost family members due to terminal illness, suicide and homicide. In addition to her commitment to PEACE OUTside Campus, Kathleen is the Director for Home and Community Based Services at the Mental Health Association of Westchester, serving individuals with behavioral health needs.
