Stevenson Children Family Fund
Donation protected
On December 5, Ericka Alexander, a single mother of three amazing teenagers passed away suddenly. This tragic sudden loss has left three kids and a community of family and friends grieving and in shock.
We had the pleasure of meeting Ericka and her incredible three kids Dezhane, DJ and Bobby on a commercial project I produced in Louisville, KY in June of 2019. This family truly made an impact on us and I stayed in contact with Ericka after we finished filming.
DJ was graduating from 8th grade, Bobby was finishing 7th grade and their always smiling older sister Dezhane was in high school while working two part time jobs. Our commercial was centered around a specific school in Louisville, Kentucky that had integrated technology into their middle school classrooms. Both DJ & Bobby had been singled out by their teachers as kids who had excelled with the technology in the classroom, so much so, that DJ was honored with the Leadership award at his 8th grade graduation. Bobby had improved tremendously when he started with the program in 7th grade. Dezhane was working two jobs and saving for college and hoping to one day study abroad.
One of the best parts of my job producing commercials is the people I get to meet along the way. In this case, we were warmly welcomed by the incredible educators and administrators at The Academy at Shawnee in Louisville, Kentucky. We were introduced to DJ and Bobby and then to their mother Ericka, who opened up her home and her life to us while we spent time filming with her and her family.
Even while working a full time job and taking care of three kids, Ericka made time in her busy schedule to accommodate anything we asked and always openly and warmly. We were fortunate enough to also meet her Pastor and her incredible church community who also welcomed us to a Sunday Service. As someone who had not been to church since I was a teenager, I left that service feeling truly impacted by the love and support of their church community.
When we left their home on the last day of filming, we all hugged the family goodbye and wished everyone well and thanked them for sharing a part of their lives with us. I had a few text exchanges with her after the job, checking in and saying hello, asking about the kids etc. One of last texts I got from her said, “Everyone is Great! The boys have been trying to rest and I am trying to just get the doggone laundry done. We really did enjoy having you all here. And thank you all again for just being so considerate and caring!!!”
And I thought - Dang! I’ve just got one kid and a partner and it’s hard to get the doggone laundry done.
Last Friday, Dec. 6, Dezhane, her oldest daughter, sent me a message letting me know about the sudden death of her mom. I was floored and shocked and all I could think is what is going to happen to these kids?
I was at a loss for words and could only tell her how incredibly strong and special woman her mother was and how lucky I was to get to meet her.
If you’ve read this far, stay with me. I’m almost there. Right now, Ericka’s mother is caring for the kids & grieving the sudden loss of her daughter. I’ve spoken to Pastor Watkins at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Church (where Ericka was an Associate Minister) who with the help of the church community, are all banding together to help support the kids during this horrific time. There will be countless expenses for this family.
As a parent, one of my worst fears is not being able to take care of my family. I know how much stress she was under at all times, especially with Christmas around the corner. Three minors to care for, house, feed, cloth and educate. Three super bright kids who want and deserve a future with hope.
In the words of their Pastor, “Right now, we just have to take care of these babies.”
Any donation is greatly appreciated and will go directly to Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church (where Ericka was an Associate Minister) through Pastor Darrell Watkins who will put all funds toward the care of Dezhane, DJ & Bobby.
If you would prefer to send directly to the church, you can send here:
Contact:
Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
c/o Pastor Darrell Watkins
635 S. 22nd St.
Louisville, KY 40211
The church is a registered non profit.
With love and gratitude,
Michelle Currinder & Christian Weber
We had the pleasure of meeting Ericka and her incredible three kids Dezhane, DJ and Bobby on a commercial project I produced in Louisville, KY in June of 2019. This family truly made an impact on us and I stayed in contact with Ericka after we finished filming.
DJ was graduating from 8th grade, Bobby was finishing 7th grade and their always smiling older sister Dezhane was in high school while working two part time jobs. Our commercial was centered around a specific school in Louisville, Kentucky that had integrated technology into their middle school classrooms. Both DJ & Bobby had been singled out by their teachers as kids who had excelled with the technology in the classroom, so much so, that DJ was honored with the Leadership award at his 8th grade graduation. Bobby had improved tremendously when he started with the program in 7th grade. Dezhane was working two jobs and saving for college and hoping to one day study abroad.
One of the best parts of my job producing commercials is the people I get to meet along the way. In this case, we were warmly welcomed by the incredible educators and administrators at The Academy at Shawnee in Louisville, Kentucky. We were introduced to DJ and Bobby and then to their mother Ericka, who opened up her home and her life to us while we spent time filming with her and her family.
Even while working a full time job and taking care of three kids, Ericka made time in her busy schedule to accommodate anything we asked and always openly and warmly. We were fortunate enough to also meet her Pastor and her incredible church community who also welcomed us to a Sunday Service. As someone who had not been to church since I was a teenager, I left that service feeling truly impacted by the love and support of their church community.
When we left their home on the last day of filming, we all hugged the family goodbye and wished everyone well and thanked them for sharing a part of their lives with us. I had a few text exchanges with her after the job, checking in and saying hello, asking about the kids etc. One of last texts I got from her said, “Everyone is Great! The boys have been trying to rest and I am trying to just get the doggone laundry done. We really did enjoy having you all here. And thank you all again for just being so considerate and caring!!!”
And I thought - Dang! I’ve just got one kid and a partner and it’s hard to get the doggone laundry done.
Last Friday, Dec. 6, Dezhane, her oldest daughter, sent me a message letting me know about the sudden death of her mom. I was floored and shocked and all I could think is what is going to happen to these kids?
I was at a loss for words and could only tell her how incredibly strong and special woman her mother was and how lucky I was to get to meet her.
If you’ve read this far, stay with me. I’m almost there. Right now, Ericka’s mother is caring for the kids & grieving the sudden loss of her daughter. I’ve spoken to Pastor Watkins at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Church (where Ericka was an Associate Minister) who with the help of the church community, are all banding together to help support the kids during this horrific time. There will be countless expenses for this family.
As a parent, one of my worst fears is not being able to take care of my family. I know how much stress she was under at all times, especially with Christmas around the corner. Three minors to care for, house, feed, cloth and educate. Three super bright kids who want and deserve a future with hope.
In the words of their Pastor, “Right now, we just have to take care of these babies.”
Any donation is greatly appreciated and will go directly to Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church (where Ericka was an Associate Minister) through Pastor Darrell Watkins who will put all funds toward the care of Dezhane, DJ & Bobby.
If you would prefer to send directly to the church, you can send here:
Contact:
Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
c/o Pastor Darrell Watkins
635 S. 22nd St.
Louisville, KY 40211
The church is a registered non profit.
With love and gratitude,
Michelle Currinder & Christian Weber
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Currinder
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Darryl Watkins
Beneficiary