We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
In 2011 my family suffered the devastating loss of my brother Marcus to gun violence. Marcus was the youngest of 7 and his absence is felt daily. Milestones and holidays come and go each year and we still feel the missing link in our family chain. We will forever. My brother was a father and the impact of his loss on his children (ages 10-17) was immense. My family and I wanted to keep his memory alive in a positive light by helping others who understood and empathized with our loss. In 2015 Gifts of Love from Above (www.GolfaSA.org) was formed in his memory. The mission of the organization is to strive to rebuild the lives of children whose parent or guardian’s death was caused by gun violence. Our mission is to bring awareness to the prevention of gun violence and support the family, the fabric of our communities. Funeral grants, counseling services and emotional support is a major part of the nonprofit in hopes to offer grief care camp for the youth as well. Unfortunately, the act of gun violence that took my brother and the thousands that it impact daily propelled me in to advocacy work. Gifts of Love from Above is my hearts passion for the children whose parent or guardian was killed by senseless gun violence and who don’t understand the grief they may feel.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After starting the non profit and meeting youth were they were in their grief inspired me even more. Our youth are so vulnerable to the societal stresses around us. Broken homes and incarceration can take an emotional toll on them. It is my joy to transition into becoming a teacher and mentor to our inner city youth. It is my hope that we educate and raise up our most vulnerable to become ambitious law abiding citizens that will make a difference in their communities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Antonio has a large Hispanic community and the Mexican food is amazing with delicious margaritas to wash it down. The live music and club scene is diverse. I would definitely take them to dinner and depending on the night catch some live jazz on the patio and ride the river walk barge through the city and/or visit historical sites like the Alamo. Theme parks like Sea World and FIesta Texas are another exciting and fun activity to partake.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It is important to partner with others in this fight to help end senseless gun violence in our communities. The two organizations that are doing the work …Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America,  These two organizations help elevate my voice and mission. Connecting with other families who have suffered loss due to gun violence and being a voice for our loved ones in front of law makers to help shine a light on the human toll gun violence has had on families across this country.

Website: www.golfasa.org

Image Credits
Photos courtesy of J & K Photography

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