Om Moses Gandhi Memorial Fund
Donation protected
On the day before Mother's Day, Leah Moses received the most horrifying news a mother could imagine: Her beloved son, Om, was shot and killed. Amplifying this horror was the fact that it was her ex-husband who violently ended her son’s life.
Adding to the weight of the worst news any parent could receive was the fact that she had tried to warn law enforcement, child protective services and the courts that her ex-husband was an abuser – for over fifteen years!
FIFTEEN YEARS!
The Utah system that is meant to protect women and children completely failed. So, as a longtime advocate for domestic abuse survivors and as a survivor herself, Leah wants to make sure her son’s death was not in vain but that this tragic moment results in systemic change. She asks that everyone that reads this letter contacts their legislators requesting they support the Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act a.k.a. "Kayden's Law," a system-changing piece of legislation Leah has been working on this past year that ironically if passed, could have protected her son. She hopes that by passing this law, other children will be saved.
Leah also requests that those moved by whom Om was as a person and by his tragic death, donate to Om’s Memorial Fund. This fund will be used to help pass Kayden's Law and expand the Safe Harbor Crisis Center, the only domestic violence and sexual assault survivor service in Davis County.
It is also paramount to Leah and her family that Om’s life is celebrated and that our larger Utah community knows what an incredible young man he was at the tender age of 16.
Every heartfelt memory from friends and family has emphasized above all else the kind and thoughtful young man that Om was. Om always looked out for others, and friends knew he was genuine in his caring. He endured years of witnessing abuse of every kind imaginable, yet in the quiet strength of his soul, he cared most about protecting his younger sister and his mother.
Not surprisingly, he was adored by all his cousins who looked up to him as the oldest boy in the family. Om loved camping at the beach and kayaking lakes and rivers with the cousins, was a whiz at math, enjoyed basketball games, and had a creative sense of humor and an infectious laugh. His soft eyes and gentle smile warmed anyone who was blessed to know him. Family gatherings were always his happy place, as was playing music. He taught himself to play the piano, played the bass clarinet and drums, and was a gifted saxophone player. Sadly, Om had his saxophone in hand the day he was senselessly murdered.
Om had so much living still to do, and it breaks all our hearts that his beautiful life was cut short because the system meant to protect him completely failed.
Om, you will live in our hearts forever! We love you!
(At Leah's request, please donate to Om’s Memorial Fund here in lieu of flowers, meals and other acts of kindness. To leave a message of support check your emailed donation receipt. THANK YOU!)
UPDATE 9/24/23: Leah will be transferring the funds to the Utah Domestic Violence Legal non-profit as a holding account for the funds that will still be split between Safe Harbor and lobbying for the Keep Children Safe from Family Violence Act. We just want to be as transparent as possible with your donations in order to avoid any confusion on how the funds will be handled.
**About the coordinators of this memorial fund: Cherise and Ella Udell have been a close friends of Leah and her family for over 15 years. All proceeds generated by this fundraiser will go to Leah Moses who will then split the proceeds between Safe Harbor and lobbying for the Keep Children Safe from Family Violence Act. If you want to get more involved with the passing of this legislation in Utah, please check back here for updates. Thank you for caring. - Cherise and Ella Udell**
Organizer and beneficiary
Cherise Udell
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT
Leah Moses
Beneficiary
