Honoring Jai's Legacy
Empowering Youth, Inspiring Change, Building Communities
Join us in creating lasting change and fostering growth together.
Join us in creating lasting change and fostering growth together.
Jai's Heart Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to honor the life and legacy of my late son, Jai’. Our mission is to empower individuals, especially youth, through education, mentorship, and community initiatives, fostering a safer and more compassionate environment. By raising awareness about gun violence, substance abuse, and other societal issues, we aim to bridge the gap and create positive change. With every act of service, we strive to build a brighter future—one step at a time. We are committed to providing the resources, guidance, and support needed to make lasting impacts in the lives of others.
Jai’ was a son with a heart of gold—kind, caring, and always ready to help others. Tragically, he was taken from us too soon after surviving a senseless act of gun violence on July 12th, 2023. For two weeks, he fought with hope and determination, but we lost him on July 27th, 2023, at just 21 years old.
Those moments of losing Jai' felt like an eternity. How could a college student, who loved everyone, deserve this? He was calling on me for help before I heard his voice for the final time on this side of heaven. I was able to give him the final hug as he asked me to please put my arms around him—unknowing I would never see that smile or hear that deep voice again. He was revived after a code, but in my heart, I knew he was gone. He didn’t make it from the trauma that, in my heart, I felt could have been avoided.
As a mother and a nurse practitioner, I found myself torn between two deeply personal roles. While I remained calm and placed my trust in the medical professionals caring for my son, an unshakable feeling lingered that something wasn’t right. I questioned what I observed and sensed, but in those moments, my priority was to simply be “Ma.” Yet, I couldn’t help but feel that my calm demeanor and trust were mistaken for weakness. It was as if my voice was drowned out in the process, leaving me to navigate the heartbreaking tension between being a grieving mother and a knowledgeable healthcare provider.
I will never forget the anguish of watching my son fight for his life, and the overwhelming guilt that followed. No mother should have to endure what I went through. But even in the face of this unimaginable loss, I am determined to make sure that no other mother or parent has to watch their child suffer this way. While we cannot ensure that tragedies like this won’t happen, we can try our best to prevent them, to raise awareness, and to offer a safe space for those who are at risk.
Jai’s life was full of love, hope, and potential—and even though his time was cut short, his legacy is far from over. Through Jai’s Heart Inc., we are committed to ensuring that the lessons learned from his life and his untimely death are used to help others, to offer guidance, and to make a difference in the world.
His spirit continues to guide me every day, and through our work, we aim to honor his memory and protect others from experiencing what we went through. His legacy lives on, and with your support, it will continue to shine brightly, touching lives and creating change.
Knowledge is Power
Our workshops tackle real-world issues to prepare youth for life’s challenges. Topics include:
We aim to equip youth with the tools they need to thrive in today’s society.
Empowering Youth Through Guidance
We pair youth and young adults with dedicated mentors who guide them through life’s challenges. From personal development and career guidance to navigating peer pressure and building resilience, our mentorship program is designed to make a lasting impact.
A Place to Be Heard and Supported
We’re creating environments where youth can feel secure and supported. Through group sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and open discussions, we provide:
Strengthening Communities Together
Our outreach events bring people together to create positive change. From community cleanups to youth empowerment summits and holiday drives, we are dedicated to making a difference.
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders
Our leadership programs empower youth to take charge and make a difference. Through hands-on activities, public speaking workshops, and team-building exercises, we help them discover their potential.
More exciting programs are on the way! Stay connected to see how Jai's Heart Inc. will continue making a difference.
Your donation helps strengthen our community, offering education, mentorship, and support to individuals and families. Together, we can create a lasting impact and build a brighter, more connected future. Join us in making a difference!
Whether you have questions, want to learn more about our mission, or are ready to get involved, we’re here to connect. Your feedback, inquiries, and support help us grow and make a difference in our community.
Click the button below to fill out our contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
General Inquiries: info@jaisheartinc.org Founder & Executive Director: kirstie.ferrell@jaisheartinc.org Phone: (336) 347-8419
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