Birthday:

August 29

Hometown:

Chicago

About Me:

My hearts desire is to stop the violence in order to prevent other parents from experiencing the pain of burying their children. I have traded my quiet nature in, for public activism, rather than suffer beneath the rubble of my grief. In the name of Lazarus I dedicated my time and efforts into creating educational projects Emotions Through Artwork, Mannequin Visual Thinking and Blind The Darkeness Of Violence With Light. In loosing my son Lazarus Jones at the age of thirteen to violence on February 19, 2007, my life took a turn. My vision and purpose is now primarily on the safety of all children. I chose to use my pain as a source of strength and a voice against violence in honor of my son Lazarus. I am the founder of Lazarus Jones Save Our Children Campaign (LJSOCC) www.lazarusjonessocc.orgazarus Jones (R.I.P1993-2007) " June 6,1993 Eight pounds, 1 ounce. ST. Mary's Hospital. 5:59 a.m. Hairy as a bear." His father named him Lazarus, a biblical figure who, according to the New Testament, died and was resurrected by Jesus. Lazarus was my second child. I've always said he had my eyes, and hair and my heart. Lazarus was small, but his dad called him "muscle man." Lazarus liked Matchbox cars and vanilla ice cream, smooth jazz and summer days at the pool. Lazarus loved to eat Hot Pockets. By the time Lazarus reached 8th grade at Budlong Elementary School, his hair was long and braided. Lazarus did well in school. Teachers praised him, and he was excited about high school. In a journal for a class, he wrote: "I'm going to have a good life. And if anyone doubts me, I don't care for them." Sometime after 8p.m. on Feb. 19, 2007, Lazarus was walking home from a friend's house. That night he was with a few friends, walking east on Lawrence Avenue, the night lit by neon storefront signs and the headlights of passing cars. It was almost 40 degrees, but the sidewalk was icy. On Lawrence and North Troy Street, several men jumped from a van. Police believe the men were gang members who thought Lazarus and his friends were in a rival gang. Teachers, friends and family members say that Lazarus steered clear of trouble, and the police have found nothing to indicate Lazarus had any gang involvement. The police arrived at my door and took me to the hospital. They wheeled me into the room where my Lazarus lay dying.. A machine beeped each time my son Lazarus heart beat. I told the doctors to keep it turned on. I wanted to hear my son heart beep, even as the beats began to fade. I massaged my son Lazarus foot. His feet was so cold, and i couldn't make it warm. Lazarus was brutally beaten to death on the north- side of Chicago on 02-20-07 at the age of thirteen. In one night his dreams were taken from him. Lazarus attended Budlong Elementary School I am now the voice of Lazarus, speaking to save all children from violence. My hearts desire is to stop the violence in order to prevent other parents from experiencing the pain of burying their children. I have traded my quiet nature in, for public activism, rather than suffer beneath the rubble of my grief. In loosing my son Lazarus Jones at the age of thirteen to violence on February 19, 2007, my life took a turn. My vision and purpose is now primarily on the safety of all children. I chose to use my pain as a source of strength and a voice against violence in honor of my son Lazarus.

Website:

https://http : / / www.lazarusjonessocc.org

What do you hope to learn, or share, on this forum?

I would like to learn all I can about mentoring on violence prevention and I would like to share things that I have learned throughout my 7 years of experience taking on our City streets with our youth and parents Blessings