I am Annie Gibbs a lifelong resident of the Youngstown area, grew up in Struthers, Ohio attended Struthers High, Youngstown State University: Williamson School of Business pursuing a BSBA, Hondros College of Insurance: licensed P&C/ L&F agent for 20 years. At YSU I made Deans' List, Peer Mentor Program, and The National Honor Society. I was chosen by a Staunton Lynd in 1998 to train in Brooklyn, New York as a Community Activist with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. (ACORN). As one may guess I have a serious passion for the community. My non-profit organization is all about the citizens and helping them through the challenges of bereavement. Us just being that Bridge to the resources they need. I already tried other ways with my license to sell insurance. In a pipe dream kind of way thinking surely I can insure the whole city and teach every client about finances and we will all live happy wealthy lives ever after. Keep dreaming Annie. My mother died when I was nine, foster care was no joke, and growing up without a guide to all things good was a challenge. Being A mother of four (one fostered) was a joy and I was doing a good job of it. Then this scourge called gangs entered our city and took my baby boy at age 17. No parent should suffer this horror especially when you see so much promise of future greatness. We had and have beautiful, talented, and intelligent youth in this city that I am passionate about getting to a future of success. I decided to create this organization to honor my son and families who lost their children in Mahoning and Trumbull County. My mission is to provide relief for my families who have suffered a tragic loss in the way of donations, funds, and services. I am stationed in the O.U.R Renaissance Youth Center, North Ave. We offer a three-tier program. We have been in progress for the last 2 years and ten months, starting in my yard under a tent doing Repast Dinners, donated flowers, wardrobes, some financial aid for tombstones, and other added touches for those who have been struck by sudden tragedies and unexpected deaths. We have done 6 creative fundraisers, but the rest of our revenue is from the director who has run short. Everything in the burial tradition is to lessen the pain of loss, help ease us through to start the grieving process in a positive manner, which could be the difference between falling into depression without closure, lying in bed crying for weeks, months, or going through the process smoothly. My own experience has taught me the difference. I was fortunate to have my son insured. However, losing a nephew recently, who was very close to me in the same type of death, murder, was the saddest burial with a very sad Repast Dinner in a barn-like structure, with a bare buffet table and a maximum of 5 dishes for a large crowd of at least 40 relatives. i had to turn and walk out. Now when I think of Brandon that funeral where they didn't allow you close to the body, it smelled, he was at the cheapest funeral home. That is when I decided something must be done. You just can't move past this easily. On the other hand imagine a well-orchestrated meal of comfort food, meeting, and greeting family and friends, discussing the deceased with other friends. It really does bring closure. I did this for many families in the city who were down and out and very grateful. This bring me so much joy to know I did that. One friend died of brain cancer in 5 months after diagnosis with two young daughters and a huge extended family was without anything including life insurance. Her daughters cried and thanked me a million times for providing the Repast Dinner. Then we have our Compassionate Friends group to continue the healing process. My passion for these children dying is just overwhelming. We all have to pitch in somehow to see them to adulthood. I feel so blessed to be at the Youth Center teaching financial literacy, life skills, nutrition, and wellness. Why do you see GO FUND ME? Because there is nowhere to turn in this city when you are up against this wall. All the charitable agencies provide for all our essential needs except this one, which to me is the most critical. This is why we need the RDT Bright LIght charity to set the prescedent.
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