Sweet. Vibrant. Funny. Caring. Generous. Peaceful. These are just a few of Jessica’s attributes. She was beautiful from the inside out. She had a quiet maturity that surpassed her age. She lit up the room with her warm presence.

Jessica loved God. She loved and enjoyed life. She loved her 7 year old daughter, Milia, her family, and my son.

Her beautiful life ended tragically on Saturday, August 29th, another unnecessary victim of the violence in Oakland. She had not yet reached her 30th birthday. There were five other shootings in her neighborhood that weekend. Her mother and brother are daily reminded of that violence as they pass the scene of her death. (more of this story can be found at http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_28728499/oakland-woman-slain-attempted-robbery)

 It is my hope that we can join together to support Jessica’s mom in providing a new home for little Milia in a safe neighborhood. It is my prayer that she can grow up in a place void of the reckless, random violence. It is my hope that she will have as normal a life as possible given the absence of her mom. It is my prayer that Jessica’s family might see the light shine again following the darkness of that horrific Saturday.

Please join with me in making these hopes and prayers come true.

Deborah