My brother Joe was shot and killed the night before Thanksgiving in 1988 – a devastating loss to our family. In response, my mother started a block watch group to patrol our neighborhood, where there had been many drive-by shootings. She also started cleaning up trash, graffiti and gangs on our block.

Soon after we buried Joe my mom started a cable television show called Drive By Agony, which interviewed victims of drive-by shootings and their families. She wanted to educate the public about the increased violence in Los Angeles (and the world) and allow parents of murdered children to talk about their loss and pain – and maybe even help catch their killers.

My mother also started a non-profit organization called Drive By Agony, organizing other women who had lost children to drive-by shootings.

My mother is a wonderful visionary and has lots of energy. In addition to the cable television show and the organization she started, she also counsels mothers of murdered children. She has started self help support groups and visited homes and hospitals to help other parents. She started Marches for Peace in 1992. These anti-violence marches have spread across the country. She has talked to thousands of mothers, comforting them during their crises. She has used family funds to help mothers who want to start their own organization and marches. She is a true advocate for victims of crime.

She has been presented with many awards and received much publicity for her work. For example, the former Governor of California, Pete Wilson, presented her with the Sharon Tate Victims of Crime Advocate Award. Peter Jennings of ABC News named her “Person of the Week” in 1992, and she has been in numerous magazines for her work with victims and youth.

But even before all this recognition, my mom was working behind the scenes helping others – even while our family struggled with finances. She works closely with youth and created two youth programs for her organization. The programs help youth with bad behavior, anger or coping with the loss of a loved one. She works with schools and the courts. She goes beyond to help victims of crime like herself. Honored many times for her strength, she has given so much freely from her heart.

My family had another tragedy in 1992. My other brother Gerald was shot and killed in an attempted car-jacking. But my mom was strong as always. She continued helping people after burying Gerald.

There is so much more to tell about my mother. She talked about legislation on gun control and helped with Senate bills for victims of crime. She is a true hero who strives to keep kids safe – and she is a fortress for victims of crime. She knows from experience that we must include youth when we talk about these victims – and that we all must be concerned for their safety and well being.

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