This is my friend and co-worker, Janay Herring (on the left) with her baby sister Courtney Watson gazing lovingly at her big sister. Courtney was murdered Monday, August 10, in Jacksonville FL at age 24. I cannot imagine the horror the family is experiencing. And, as if losing a sister at such a young age isn't enough, Janay and her family are struggling financially to provide a proper burial.
Asking for money, for donations, for help of any kind is so foreign to me. I am always the one on the other side giving of my time and money. But this is different. This is personal. And although I did not know Courtney, I am speaking of what I know Janay to be. We work at Bayview Loan Servicing in Coral Gables, FL. I've known her for 3-4 years now. She is awesome! Actually, Janay is amazing.
Janay didn't have the happiest childhood. Parents divorced early on. Dad left the household. Mom remarried a time or two. Not the greatest support system. They moved around alot. Changed schools. She found herself pregnant at 18. But Janay made a commitment to continue her plans to attend Florida State. She birthed Malik at 19, gave him over to relatives while she pursued her studies, graduating on schedule at 22 with a BA degree in hand and a 3-year old to support.
Janay has been in the loan servicing industry since college graduaton - working for Chase in Jacksonville, then eventually accepting a position at Bayview and moving to the Fort Lauderdale-Miami area in 2011. Janay is a quick study. She is an AVP and respected member of the Compliance Department. She shows up and grinds it out every day - no excuses.
Janay has a new member of her family -- her niece, aged 7 -- who came to live with Janay & Malik just two days before Courtney was murdered. Her niece is the product of Janay's brother (who is incarcerated) and a mother who is struggling to maintain a steady job and a stable environment for the niece.
Janay saw in her niece alot of what Janay experienced at the same age -- a lack of stability, support and guidance. She couldn't simply sit back and watch. She engaged. Janay made a commitment to her brother and this little 7-year old girl -- to provide a stable home environment and a much-improved school system.
And now this.... one more thing.... one more struggle... the senseless death of her sister. Why does this happen to someone who is doing everything by the book??? Paying it forward???
Please give what you can to help this young woman and her family bury her sister. Janay is too proud to ask. I am asking on her behalf. Thank you.
Asking for money, for donations, for help of any kind is so foreign to me. I am always the one on the other side giving of my time and money. But this is different. This is personal. And although I did not know Courtney, I am speaking of what I know Janay to be. We work at Bayview Loan Servicing in Coral Gables, FL. I've known her for 3-4 years now. She is awesome! Actually, Janay is amazing.
Janay didn't have the happiest childhood. Parents divorced early on. Dad left the household. Mom remarried a time or two. Not the greatest support system. They moved around alot. Changed schools. She found herself pregnant at 18. But Janay made a commitment to continue her plans to attend Florida State. She birthed Malik at 19, gave him over to relatives while she pursued her studies, graduating on schedule at 22 with a BA degree in hand and a 3-year old to support.
Janay has been in the loan servicing industry since college graduaton - working for Chase in Jacksonville, then eventually accepting a position at Bayview and moving to the Fort Lauderdale-Miami area in 2011. Janay is a quick study. She is an AVP and respected member of the Compliance Department. She shows up and grinds it out every day - no excuses.
Janay has a new member of her family -- her niece, aged 7 -- who came to live with Janay & Malik just two days before Courtney was murdered. Her niece is the product of Janay's brother (who is incarcerated) and a mother who is struggling to maintain a steady job and a stable environment for the niece.
Janay saw in her niece alot of what Janay experienced at the same age -- a lack of stability, support and guidance. She couldn't simply sit back and watch. She engaged. Janay made a commitment to her brother and this little 7-year old girl -- to provide a stable home environment and a much-improved school system.
And now this.... one more thing.... one more struggle... the senseless death of her sister. Why does this happen to someone who is doing everything by the book??? Paying it forward???
Please give what you can to help this young woman and her family bury her sister. Janay is too proud to ask. I am asking on her behalf. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Janay Herring
Beneficiary