News
Gun Violence Memorial Project (Detroit, MI)
May 2, 2025
Purpose Over Pain visited Detroit, Michigan, and participated in a gun violence memorial project at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. This memorial project was created to honor loved ones and bring awareness to the epidemic of gun violence in America.
Article:
Gun Violence Memorial Project opens Friday at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Easter Fun Day
Purpose Over Pain hosted an Easter Fun Day specifically designed for children who had loved ones taken by violence, with the goal of providing support to the entire family. The event featured Easter baskets, bouncy houses, manicures, games, raffles, egg hunting, live music, food, and more. Partners for this event included Elizabeth Ramirez/ Parents for Peace & Justice (Easter Bunny), Millie/Imani Dream Angel (Face Painting), and The BRAVE Youth Leaders (Games).
Article:
St. Sabina holds early Easter event for survivors of gun violence - CBS Chicago
Gun Violence Focus Groups
Purpose Over Pain new initiative for 2025 is to facilitate restorative and trauma informed Focus
Groups for various survivors of gun violence. The purpose of the focus group is to gather
information on a topic through group discussion with small focus groups to learn how they are
dealing with grief, how they may be helped, and resources which may be available. The small
groups enable the participants to express their experience and opinions openly being among
others who may be struggling with their grief. The focus groups are facilitated by a trained
facilitator.
New Moms Focus Group – January 23, 2025
A Dad’s Perspective – January 29, 2025
Siblings Sound Off – February 5, 2025
Annul Tree Trimming – Christmas Tree of Love
December 11, 2024
Purpose Over Pain Annual Tree Trimming was held at St. Sabina where survivor parents placed
picture ornaments of their “Angel” on the “Christmas Tree of Love.” Fr. Michael Pfleger offered
words of encouragement and prayer, and the parents sang Christmas carols together as they
placed their individual ornament on the tree. This event is intended to uplift and bring a
measure of joy to these parents during an emotional holiday season for them.
Sister Circle Retreat
December 7, 2024 - December 8, 2024
Survivor mothers and other survivors of gun violence attended a day and half overnight retreat
hosted by Purpose Over Pain that offered uplifting and inspiring workshops with several
dynamic speakers that addressed empowering women with trauma, building hope and
authentic connections, the healing power of connection, and mindfulness/compassion. The
retreat also offered massage therapy, exercise, acupuncture, and beauty services (facials,
lashes, manicures, and haircuts). The retreat ended with a church-like service with an ordained
minister that brought forth a spiritual message of hope and encouragement. Each survivor was
given a gift at the end of the retreat which was well attended.
Chicago Marriott Midway Hotel
Theme: “Stronger Together – Building Bonds and Sisterhood”
Purpose Over Pain Mother’s Day Spa Event
May 10, 2024
The Mother’s Day Spa Event is planned every year for Mothers who are faced with having to celebrate this day without their child whose life ended through violence. This event was planned with the hope of bringing a measure of joy to the attendees and provided them an opportunity to be with other mothers who know this pain and loss. The mothers were pampered with professional body massages, glam services – manicures, facials, lashes & barbering, along with meditation sessions, picture painting, a delicious dinner, music, and a gift & rose for every mom. The event was well attended.
Never Forget Chicago Mother’s Day Gift
May 4, 2024
Purpose Over Pain office location served as one of the pick-up locations for the “Garden of Remembrance” Mother’s Day Remembrance Gift sponsored by Never Forget Chicago which included a beautiful, personalized shirt and button of each respective child’s picture whose life was ended by violence.
Purpose Over Pain Easter Fun Day
March 29, 2024
Purpose Over Pain along with Parents For Peace and Justice, Mothers On A Mission, and Stein Learning Garden hosted its first Easter Fun Day at the ARK of St. Sabina for survivor children whose loved ones’ lives were taken by violence. This day was filled with children's laughter and enjoyment on a day that included games, face painting, free raffles, egg hunt, food, music, an Easter Basket for each child and more. There was even a life size adult Easter Rabbit on hand for taking pictures. We know that these children must not be forgotten for they have also suffered a loss.
Article Link:
Chicago mothers touched by gun violence make a happy holiday for kids - CBS Chicago (cbsnews.com)
A Notes for Peace Celebration
March 19,2024
Purpose Over Pain partnered with Negaunee Music Institute of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a songwriting project of writing musical tributes in memory of children’s whose lives were taken by violence. As a result of 100 songs being written by parents and guardians, A Notes for Peace Celebration was held at the Chicago Symphony Center to recognize the songs that had been written. It was a beautiful evening that started with dinner, recognitions, and then the concert which was a huge success. Several of the songs were performed, a musical memorial tribute was shown with all 100 Angel pictures displayed, and a beautiful keepsake book that contained very song and every Angel’s picture was made available to each of the 100 participants. Many thanks to the Negaunee Music Institute of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the financial contributors that made this celebration possible.
Giffords & Survivors Empowered Anti-Gun violence Workshop
Purpose Over Pain was invited to the anti-gun violence workshop hosted by Survivors Empowered and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords. On Tuesday, September 19th. dozens of people whose lives have been devastated by shootings attended a training session at McCormick Place where they learned how to navigate their pain and, if they choose to, join the fight against gun violence.
Link To The Article:
Articles
Finding purpose over the pain of a child’s murder
Purpose Over Pain partners with local flower shop to help grieving Chicago gun violence victims' mom
Purpose Over Pain partners with local flower shop to help grieving Chicago gun violence victims' mom
Image credit: Max Herman
Purpose Over Pain partners with local flower shop to help grieving Chicago gun violence victims' mom
Purpose Over Pain partners with local flower shop to help grieving Chicago gun violence victims' mom
Purpose Over Pain partners with local flower shop to help grieving Chicago gun violence victims' mom
Who killed their children? Black mothers are determined to break a culture of silence
Purpose Over Pain partners with local flower shop to help grieving Chicago gun violence victims' mom
Who killed their children? Black mothers are determined to break a culture of silence
Image credit: Nirma Hasty
Parents of murder victims demand more action from Chicago police to solve cases
Parents of murder victims demand more action from Chicago police to solve cases
Who killed their children? Black mothers are determined to break a culture of silence
Family of slain Chicago teen to mark new gun law at White House
Parents of murder victims demand more action from Chicago police to solve cases
Family of slain Chicago teen to mark new gun law at White House