Vigil honors DeSean Fountain, demands ‘Victims No More’

On the afternoon of Sept. 4, DeSean Fountain was walking home from school while wearing his book bag—a great student and athlete full of hopes and dreams—when he was suddenly shot and killed at the age of 14.
Out of respect for the Fountain Family, information pertaining to DeSean was withheld. DeSean’s mother, Patricia Fountain, said, she wants nothing more than to make sure DeSean didn’t die in vain and that people take the darkness of this tragedy and turn it into light for the youth, the families and the communities.
“The moment I learned of the tragic murder of DeSean, I knew that Amachi Pittsburgh would do something to support his family and also challenge the community to respond by finding ways to be the change we so desperately need. I reached out to his mom and her strength and resolve really inspired me to reach others through his story,” Anna Hollis of Amachi Pittsburgh said.
The celebration of DeSean’s life and declaration of “Victims No More” took place in East Liberty with a prayer vigil and call to action, hosted by Amachi Pittsburgh. Many leaders, friends, family, neighbors, and supporters joined to honor the life of DeSean Fountain, and take a stand to demand a change within the community. Another innocent victim lost, due to the senseless act of violence. For some time now, violence has been actively noted within the African American community, and this has impacted a movement nationwide. There are steps we can take together to ensure that the thousands of young people like him are, “Victims No More.”
Amachi Pittsbugh serves children and families impacted by parental incarceration. “DeSean’s sister was enrolled in Amachi, and because of her involvement, we also matched DeSean at age 6 with a mentor. The last thing we expected was to be attending his funeral 8 years later as a result of a senseless act of violence in his community,” Hollis said.
DeSean’s mentor of eight years, Gwyneth Gaul, has established a memorial fund in his name to ensure he is not forgotten and that organizations can do more to help children get the support they desperately need. Donations can be made to DeSean Fountain Memorial Fund.
“In honor of DeSean, I have started the DeSean Fountain Memorial Fund, at The Pittsburgh Foundation. It is designed to carry his name forever so that kids now and for future generations will benefit. Donations can be made to the fund. Funds will be used to support mentoring programs like Amachi, great schools like ECS and after school sports programs at Kingsley Center and others, programs that help keep kids safe, help them fulfill their hopes and dreams. DeSean, you will not be forgotten. My life is richer for having known you. I will always have you in my heart,” Gaul said.
These types of events provide an opportunity for family and community members to mourn together and support each other, to reclaim the space where a heinous crime was committed, and to challenge those most deeply impacted to turn their mourning into motivation to incite change.
In this case it was important to bring honor to the life of a young man who was making all the right choices, working hard, and making his own plans for a bright future. DeSean was supposed to make it,” Hollis said.
When will it end?
How many DeSeans will it take?
When is enough, enough?
Attendees walked away knowing that together, we can make a difference. We do not have to accept things as they are, we have the collective power to change the conditions that are plaguing our communities. Amachi Pittsburgh offered opportunities to community members to do just that.
 
 
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