[ad_1]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A Lexington woman has turned one of the worst possible tragedies of her life into a beautiful legacy, all to help others.
“I couldn’t function. I was paralyzed by this pain, ”said Kivva Williams, executive director of the Rhema Word Foundation.
In 2004, Williams and her husband Byron had the worst day imaginable for any parent, with the loss of their baby girl.
“She was abused and succumbed to it,” Williams explained.
Williams says she was able to get through her darkest days thanks to a strong support network, but not everyone is.
After some time and after working on this healing process, Williams created a foundation to help others, named in memory of his daughter.
“Her name was Aramah. So we took part of his name and gave it a biblical meaning, ”Williams said.
Williams says the nonprofit is now working to provide resources to women and children who have survived abuse.
“I like to call it a comfort house because during that time you need comfort, you need someone who understands what you’re going through,” Williams said. “This evil and devastation never goes away, but there are ways and coping mechanisms you can use to be successful all day long.”
Williams says the foundation has counselors, social service workers and people who deal with mental health care to help people cope with loss and envision a better future.
“Our mission is to restore life to a new normal through love and compassion. Because when you go through something like this, your life is never the same. But you can create a new normal of happy living, ”said Williams.
For Williams, overcoming the stigma and scrutiny was one of the toughest challenges, but she wants to make sure people in a similar situation weren’t ashamed: “Don’t feel like you have to go through your whole life. life in condemnation because you don’t. There is the freedom to find help.
This help includes basic necessities like clothing and financial resources, even a Thanksgiving meal and a Christmas full of gifts.
As the foundation began in a tragedy, Williams says her daughter will not be remembered for it: “I feel like my little girl Remy is no longer a victim. I believe his legacy of hope and healing for people lives beyond the grave. The tomb was therefore not his stopping point. Now she has an inheritance.
According to Williams, she hopes to build a crisis center that can serve as emergency housing and temporary shelter, or a halfway house. You can find more information about the Rhema Word Foundation HERE.
If you know a hometown hero, submit a nomination HERE or email Erica Bivens from ABC 36: [email protected].
[ad_2]
Source link