“It’s (the event) wonderful. We see more smiles and that’s what we’re trying to do—we’re trying to put a smile on their face. We know that it’s a sad time for most of us, but when we can come together like this, it cheers us up,” said Young, TOH executive director and founder, who started the annual event in honor of her son, Javon Thompson, who was shot to death in 1994, just days before Christmas. “I lost my son, so it’s a tribute to (him) and his daughter, Tajaya. I buried my son on Christmas Eve, so this really helps me get through the season.”
Tree of Hope is a nonprofit, faith-based organization that offers help, hope and healing to families who have suffered traumatic losses, with special focus on children who are left behind due to suicide, homicide or some other tragic loss of a parent.
The evening which began with a dinner for the families and special guests, included a praise and worship program, hosted by Pastor Karl and Keith Edmonds, of K&K Mime, a proclamation presentation from state Rep. Ed Gainey’s office and musical selections from Spirit-Filled Music Ministries & Sound, among others. The event concluded with the distribution of toys to hundreds of youth. Through the organization and the generosity of various community members and organizations, according to Young, 528 youths were able to receive a special gift this holiday. This year, 54 youth were added to the distribution list, the largest number Young said she has added in years. She said its because the senseless homicides have left multiple children without a parent, especially their mothers.
“(They’re) just massacring and they’re just killing us off. And the families are being fragmented now—you don’t have fathers and, now, you don’t have mothers. I call this ‘the year of the mothers.’ They’ve killed more mothers this year than they have in the past at anytime,” said Young. “When a child loses his mother, it’s a bond that’s broken and irretrievable. Of course, (with) the father there’s a bond too, but there’s something special about a mother. And these children are losing their mothers and they’re saying, “We don’t know if we can ever be the same again.”
Jamil Hardy, 9, Barnett’s oldest son, was happy and thankful to receive toys from TOH, but said he still gets sad about losing his mother.
“I’m raising my five grandsons and I see they’re hurting; they don’t want to show it. It’s just not right. They loved her (Barnett) and she loved them too. I still can’t believe this happened,” said James Powell, who identified himself as Barnett’s stepfather. “Think before you react because you never know how many you’ll hurt from killing that one. My daughter was killed and it effected hundreds of people.”
Barnett’s mother, Radia Richardson, said she tries not to think about the tragedy her family has gone through and focuses on raising her grandsons—Jamil Hardy, Julian Hardy, 8, Jamal Hardy, 7, Kyair Richardson, 3, and Gerald Harris, 1. But she said the Tree of Hope event does help to brighten her holiday, if only for a bit.
“Adrienne’s great, excellent. She calls all the time and makes sure me and my grandsons are fine. The support that they (TOH) and she gives me is wonderful.”
Young said she’s truly impressed by the wonderful role she has seen Powell play in the boys’ lives. “To see a man step up like that is just wonderful. It’s impressive.”
Like last year, Young said the community really stepped up, especially the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, which donated 14 boxes of toys.
“I feel the police feel a special connection with us because we are victims and they are the ones that help to find the perpetrators; and so we have a wonderful relationship, but you can tell that it’s much more than that,” said Young. “It’s something special because they look at these victims and they know what they went through and what they’re going through, and they have a lot of empathy for them.”
To Pittsburgh Zone 5 officer Jeffrey Crawford, this is a special time for him as well. “It’s a great thing that Adrienne Young is doing for these families. It’s a blessing to see all these people come out; it’s very touching,” he said.
Detective Todd Trivus, of Zone 5 and president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Blue Knight International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Inc., felt the same way. During the program he spoke of how he learned about Tree of Hope through community events and felt compelled to do something. He then presented Young, on behalf of his organization, with a $509 check. Why that amount? He explained that the five-zero stood for police and the nine for his chapter’s number. He said his organizations plans to continue this contribution in the future.
As for the solution to the murders, which are what keeps Tree of Hope in demand, Wayne Mitchell Scott, Young’s late son’s best friend, said it takes everyone showing more love towards one another and their communities, and getting the youth involved in activities.
(For more information on Tree of Hope, visit www.treeofhope.com)
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