Today we’d like to introduce you to Shon Gardner
Hi Shon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2017 the dynamic of my family changed drastically with the loss of my sister in law whose life was taken at the hands of her husband. My niece was 10 and nephew was 12 at the time. Not only did they lose a mother, but they lost a father also after his lifetime sentence. Seeing their pain and suffering while trying to find hope to push through life pierced my heart. It took years to rebuild their identity as they had to cope with a new lifestyle without the ones they loved deeply. In 2023 my niece is approaching the age of 16 and yet still battling to cope with grief. I wanted to do something sentimental for her bday by finding a way to include her mom in a once in a lifetime celebration for her sweet 16. God gave me the idea to give her a bear from Build A Bear. I did my research to find out that each bear created gets a birth certificate. Although that may be minor to most people, it was big to me considering that I wanted to figure out a way to include her mom on her birthday although I couldn’t bring her back. So I then followed thru with the plan. On the birth certificate the name of the bear was her mom, and on the date of birth was her mom actual full birth date including birth year. I then was able to find a song that I felt could relate which was “Mommas Hand” by Queen Naija. I presented her with the gift at her birthday dinner. I saw how she lit up as she listened to the song and saw that the bear was her mom. The seed was then planted that I wanted to help people with chronic grief heal and get through life.
Recently, my life took a drastic change after experiencing the loss of my 16 year old god son’s mom through self inflicted wounds. My life once again had been altered by pain. The mind blowing thoughts seemed to cross my mind frequently on how much she suffered in silence while still pouring her heart out to me in her final days. Or maybe her village wasn’t large enough to come to her rescue. Even though this might seem far fetched, and with many questions we never will know the “why” to their ending.
One question that did came to mind was maybe she needed a hug. Many don’t know the importance of touch. I began to think to myself would that have prolonged her life no matter how much encouragement I gave. It was then I know it was time to launch my foundation Hugs for HOPE. It is where we Help Others Persevere Everyday by transforming them one life at a time with a squeeze of life and love, and then they are revived to live again with hope.
Our mission is to restore the conscious mindset to those that lack a village of love, safe spaces, hope, and faith by providing Companionship Bears, Collegiate Scholarships, Therapy Services and mental health resources to those that have been affected by traumatic life altering experiences from grief and mental health illnesses. We encourage others to keep going no matter how hard life gets. However, we know that it only takes one to be transformed by one person. Hugs for HOPE stands on the healing principles of Jeremiah 30:17 that states “But I will bring you health and will heal you of your wounds— this is the LORD’s declaration’.
The vision of Hugs for HOPE is to transform one life at a time with a squeeze! Sometimes in life people just need a hug. It’s in those moments with the connection of touch they are revived to live again with a hopeful sense of purpose.
The mind is a powerful yet sacred space that should be of peace. We should feel secure to know that we don’t have to walk in this world alone. Yet many feel a missing piece of the puzzle to their life is love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well this was definitely life changing for me. No amount of money in the world would have made me believe or could prepare me to encounter a person first hand ending their life. We imagine what we would do in a situation, but when it’s presented to you with no permission the tables then turn how you respond. I have my high and low days. I just let each emotion process in the moment.
The blessing for me is knowing what I do is not in vein. I count not as a honor to save someone’s life through my experience. It has taught me to be more present with conversations, pay attention to body language and be in tune with the tone of where a person is mentally.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have a background in fashion, entertainment and media. This new expansion to advocate for mental is rewarding also. In January 2023 I started a brand called Smooth Groove Line Dance through my love for performance. This is something that organically took off out of no where by me teaching a group of friends the infamous Tamia “Can’t Get Enough.” What started as entertainment for me became a mental health outlet for others to escape in a freeform way with no rules to motion of the body. Since then I have hosted several family reunions, birthday parties, graduations and corporate events.
My only rule is RELAX, RELEASE, AND LET GO. That theory goes for all things in life that serve no purpose to the growth of who we are.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me in this current state of where I am is, seeing people be the best version of them as a whole.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hugsforhopetx.com
- Instagram: @hugsforhopetx
Image Credits
IG @bgreatproductions
