A Story of Resilience and Healing
The day before Thanksgiving, November 23, 2016, the joy of the approaching holiday shattered for the Mourning family. A phone call delivered the unthinkable: Trina Mourning-Dodson learned her brother, Arthur Lee Mourning Jr. – their beloved “Lee Lee” – had been stolen from them, gunned down in the very sanctuary of his home, his child a witness to the horror.
Imagine Trina, alone in a solitary vigil in the sterile hospital lobby, each tick of the clock amplifying her dread. Then, the hushed words in the family room from the doctors, the confirmation of their deepest fear: Arthur was gone. The weight of that moment then shifted to Trina’s shoulders as she heard those neverending word, “we are sorry, we tried our best, but he didn’t make it.,Alone at the hospital, Trina had the agonizing task of relaying the devastating news. Picture the phone calls, each one met with the raw, heart-wrenching cries of his parents, his siblings, his children loved ones – a chorus of pain echoing the senseless loss.
In an instant, the Mourning family found themselves on the “other side of the yellow tape,” a place no family should ever know. Arthur’s laughter was silenced,his presence immediately missed, leaving behind six children trying on their own to process grief, desperately needing support that was nowhere to be found. For years, the ache of loss was compounded by the struggle to secure even the most basic resources, especially the vital balm of mental health care for his grieving children.
But from the depths of unimaginable pain, a flicker of hope ignited. Fueled by a sister’s love and a fierce determination to honor Arthur “Lee Lee’s” memory, a vision took shape – a sanctuary of support, a haven of healing. And so, from the ashes of tragedy, a Circle of Hope was born.
Our mission is to provide professional grief support services with a primary focus on children who lost a parent or sibling to homicide. Our Trauma-Informed care team of volunteers addresses grief as a public health service. Circle of Hope believes that all children suffering the traumatic loss of a loved one should have accessible support and feel safe as they work to heal while working through their grief.
Meet Our Board
Everyone's journey of grief is not the same. Oftentimes Children are the forgotten Grievers...
Circle of Hope MO is a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides wraparound resources for children from 0-17 who have been impacted by homicide by losing a parent or sibling to murder. We have now opened our services to children that have suffered any type of trauma that caused death to a loved one. We offer a variety of services, including various individual and group therapy, mentors, case management, life coaches, and grief support groups. We also work closely with community partners, so that there are no gaps of necessary resources left unidentified. We believe in working together to provide the best possible support for our children.
Why is this program needed in inner city communities?
Inner city communities are disproportionately affected by primarily homicide. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is the leading cause of death for black males aged 15-34. This violence can have a devastating impact on children, who may experience grief, anger, fear, and isolation.
Circle of Hope MO’s program is needed in inner city communities because it provides much-needed support to children who are struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one to homicide and various tragedies. Our services are tailored to the individual needs of each child, and we offer a safe and supportive environment where children can feel comfortable expressing their emotions.
We believe that Circle of Hope MO is an essential service for children in inner city communities. We are committed to providing children with the support they need to heal and to thrive. With your help, we can make a difference in the lives of many children.
