Father gone/daughter education fund
Donation protected
The day I said "Yes" was a day that changed my life forever. It started me on a journey of self, of service and of faith. "Yes, I will be your MENTOR" That's how I met Jayln Harris. He was a skinny little kid with a lot to say. He was funny (he thought so), witty, good looking, had a great smile and seemed to have a charismatic aura that engulfed his immediate environment. He also found himself in trouble... a lot. His charming personality and huge smile wasn't getting him out of trouble like it use to. He was flagged by this Junior High school administrators as a "young up and coming student" who would need some guidance on his educational journey less he lose his way and fall into cest pool of crime and poverty. I was asked to help him steer clear of the dangers in hopes that he reach his potential. What I didn't know at the time was that "someone" had sent him to help me too. We met and became fast friends....well maybe like an older brother relationship...Ok, ok... I'm older than his parents so it was, as I told you before, a Mentor/Mentee relationship.
Over the next several years Jayln Harris and his family became part of my family. We would do "everyday" things together..everyday to me anyway. We were both excited to have a movie partner to go see the shoot em' up, super hero, action movies. That was a Jayln and Clay thing. We did things that neither one of has had done before. We tried new foods and went to new places. He learned things I didn't even know needed to be taught. Simple things to me but for J, he had no idea. It was new to him. Over the next 8 or 9 years we enjoyed many movies, sports games, food and lots of conversations. Our relationship was solid. He would often call opening with his signature "What up Uncle Clay"? . I'd answer "living the dream J how bout you?" We'd talk for a while about school, girls, money, problems and anything else that he was willing to discuss. We had a few uncomfortable conversations over the years when he would mess up. But that was OK, he was a young black man trying to grow up in a often times cruel word. He stayed out of trouble most of the time but sometimes in life that isn't enough. Over the next several years he moved from city to city with his mom and step dad in an effort to improve their lives. They were always there for him. So was I. But sometimes that isn't enough. It wasn't always easy for me since he was no longer in Dallas. His mom did what she could. She tried to protect him. She tried to educate him and she was always trying to make his life better, and hopefully make his future better. In 2016 he graduated High School. We were all very proud of him. I booked a flight to Virginia Beach, VA to be there to celebrate with him his accomplishments and to talk about his future. It was a memory I will cherish forever. I was like a proud Papa. After the graduation he spoke of joining the Navy right there in Northfolk. So it was decided. The Navy would be his ticket out. The day after graduation reality kicked me in the head. Graduation night Jayln and his mom were literally kicked out of the apartment they had been staying at. Jayln never said a word to me. This type of thing was common. His mom told me the following day that essentially they were homeless and she and J would go and live with an Ex until they got back on their feet. Graduation was supposed to be one of Jayln's best days ever, a memorable event looked back on with pride... I'm not sure it was. I found myself dealing with a lot of emotions the next several days. Me, A middle class, middle aged white man was dropped into a situation that was new to me. J and his mom went on as if nothing had changed. It was par for the course for them. I knew about things, stats. you know, "other people" that you read about in the paper or on the net... being present with people who live in it was something I hadn't dealt with for many years. It reminded me of how lucky I am....how lucky a lot of us are. To Jayln, this was just life. "Same ol' same ol' Uncle Clay" is what Jayln would say.
Less than a year after Jayln graduated High School he was tragically murdered and fell victim to what young men of color live with their whole life. Gun Violence. He was robbed and murdered for what is believe to be little money.
Feb 14th 2018. I woke up to see on social media that there was something horrible going on with Jayln. I made a phone call to J's mom. I will never forget that call. It dropped me, physically and emotionally. He was a young, handsome, smart, funny man. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a singer and rapper, a "mentee" to me and something much greater and more awesome that was brand new to him. He was a brand new DAD. Jayln entered my life when I myself had just brought a baby daughter into the world. We shared that bond and the memories of J holding my infant daughter. His daughter was born just a few weeks before his murder.... Everyday of my life since then I have thought of his daughter Bri. I run through the conversations I've had with J about her...he was a doting Father. Something I could relate to. It's hard to understand how this could happen to such a good kid.. he was to young to die...he had plans...a new baby.. going to make it big....you've heard it all before. We all knew he would somehow, someway make it out and BE someone. His personality was contagious. You couldn't not love Jay.. he was, no, he IS, someone who made me a better man, a better person. I was blessed to have you in my life Jay, and blessed to be able to watch you grow into a kind, loving, happy young man.. I'll miss you calling me.. saying "sup uncle clay?" I'll miss our conversations about your daughter Brielle J'naye Harris..how you were going to make it and take your family with you.. I love you Jayln Harris. my heart breaks... seems like it was yesterday when you walked into my life. Thank you for allowing me to be your friend. Rest in peace young man. You will forever be missed and you will never be forgotten.
when Jayln and I first started down the road we shared I told him that when I decided to be a Mentor it wasn't something I considered lightly. I was going all in. I decided that this commitment was for a life time...... little did I know how short that life time would be. I have now had to shift my focus off of Jayln and onto his daughter Brielle. I feel my commitment to him has transferred to her now. I have set up an Education Fund for her. I don't want money to be the reason she doesn't go to college. I want to give her that opportunity. The fund will be used for her education only. I will be the trustee of the account and will make sure that her future education isn't stunted because she didn't have the money. I'm not able to help Jayln anymore. He has left this world. However WE can help the thing he loved most in the world. We can help nurture and love her. WE can help her reach her dreams. Will you help me hold a door open so that when she's ready she can walk through it?
Over the next several years Jayln Harris and his family became part of my family. We would do "everyday" things together..everyday to me anyway. We were both excited to have a movie partner to go see the shoot em' up, super hero, action movies. That was a Jayln and Clay thing. We did things that neither one of has had done before. We tried new foods and went to new places. He learned things I didn't even know needed to be taught. Simple things to me but for J, he had no idea. It was new to him. Over the next 8 or 9 years we enjoyed many movies, sports games, food and lots of conversations. Our relationship was solid. He would often call opening with his signature "What up Uncle Clay"? . I'd answer "living the dream J how bout you?" We'd talk for a while about school, girls, money, problems and anything else that he was willing to discuss. We had a few uncomfortable conversations over the years when he would mess up. But that was OK, he was a young black man trying to grow up in a often times cruel word. He stayed out of trouble most of the time but sometimes in life that isn't enough. Over the next several years he moved from city to city with his mom and step dad in an effort to improve their lives. They were always there for him. So was I. But sometimes that isn't enough. It wasn't always easy for me since he was no longer in Dallas. His mom did what she could. She tried to protect him. She tried to educate him and she was always trying to make his life better, and hopefully make his future better. In 2016 he graduated High School. We were all very proud of him. I booked a flight to Virginia Beach, VA to be there to celebrate with him his accomplishments and to talk about his future. It was a memory I will cherish forever. I was like a proud Papa. After the graduation he spoke of joining the Navy right there in Northfolk. So it was decided. The Navy would be his ticket out. The day after graduation reality kicked me in the head. Graduation night Jayln and his mom were literally kicked out of the apartment they had been staying at. Jayln never said a word to me. This type of thing was common. His mom told me the following day that essentially they were homeless and she and J would go and live with an Ex until they got back on their feet. Graduation was supposed to be one of Jayln's best days ever, a memorable event looked back on with pride... I'm not sure it was. I found myself dealing with a lot of emotions the next several days. Me, A middle class, middle aged white man was dropped into a situation that was new to me. J and his mom went on as if nothing had changed. It was par for the course for them. I knew about things, stats. you know, "other people" that you read about in the paper or on the net... being present with people who live in it was something I hadn't dealt with for many years. It reminded me of how lucky I am....how lucky a lot of us are. To Jayln, this was just life. "Same ol' same ol' Uncle Clay" is what Jayln would say.
Less than a year after Jayln graduated High School he was tragically murdered and fell victim to what young men of color live with their whole life. Gun Violence. He was robbed and murdered for what is believe to be little money.
Feb 14th 2018. I woke up to see on social media that there was something horrible going on with Jayln. I made a phone call to J's mom. I will never forget that call. It dropped me, physically and emotionally. He was a young, handsome, smart, funny man. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a singer and rapper, a "mentee" to me and something much greater and more awesome that was brand new to him. He was a brand new DAD. Jayln entered my life when I myself had just brought a baby daughter into the world. We shared that bond and the memories of J holding my infant daughter. His daughter was born just a few weeks before his murder.... Everyday of my life since then I have thought of his daughter Bri. I run through the conversations I've had with J about her...he was a doting Father. Something I could relate to. It's hard to understand how this could happen to such a good kid.. he was to young to die...he had plans...a new baby.. going to make it big....you've heard it all before. We all knew he would somehow, someway make it out and BE someone. His personality was contagious. You couldn't not love Jay.. he was, no, he IS, someone who made me a better man, a better person. I was blessed to have you in my life Jay, and blessed to be able to watch you grow into a kind, loving, happy young man.. I'll miss you calling me.. saying "sup uncle clay?" I'll miss our conversations about your daughter Brielle J'naye Harris..how you were going to make it and take your family with you.. I love you Jayln Harris. my heart breaks... seems like it was yesterday when you walked into my life. Thank you for allowing me to be your friend. Rest in peace young man. You will forever be missed and you will never be forgotten.
when Jayln and I first started down the road we shared I told him that when I decided to be a Mentor it wasn't something I considered lightly. I was going all in. I decided that this commitment was for a life time...... little did I know how short that life time would be. I have now had to shift my focus off of Jayln and onto his daughter Brielle. I feel my commitment to him has transferred to her now. I have set up an Education Fund for her. I don't want money to be the reason she doesn't go to college. I want to give her that opportunity. The fund will be used for her education only. I will be the trustee of the account and will make sure that her future education isn't stunted because she didn't have the money. I'm not able to help Jayln anymore. He has left this world. However WE can help the thing he loved most in the world. We can help nurture and love her. WE can help her reach her dreams. Will you help me hold a door open so that when she's ready she can walk through it?
Organizer
Clay Drury
Organizer
Dallas, TX