"We're here to heal:" Mothers who have lost children to violence come together for Mother's Day brunch



WAUWATOSA (WITI) -- On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10th -- while some enjoyed time with family, others spent time grieving the loss of a child. But these mothers didn't have to be alone on Mother's Day -- thanks to a man who organized a brunch for mothers who have lost children to violence in Milwaukee.

"It's hard," Natisha Carson said.

These women have experienced the unimaginable: the loss of a child. On Sunday, they gathered together to enjoy brunch on Mother's Day.

Brunch for mothers who lost children to violence



Trinity



Carson's 18-month-old daughter Trinity was beaten to death by her father.

"I just couldn`t believe it. Why? Children are innocent," Carson said. "I miss her every day. It`s so much I wonder I wish I could experience with her."

On this Mother's Day, Carson didn't have to grieve alone. She attended a brunch with women who understand what she is going through.

"I didn`t know it was so many. Violence -- it`s so sad. It`s so sad," Carson said.

"We`re here to heal, help heal, to build," organizer Terrell Johnnies said.

The inaugural Mother's Day brunch for mothers who have lost a child to violence was held Sunday in Wauwatosa.

Donovan Howard



"We just want to try and heal, you know? To make something good out of the bad that has already happened," Johnnies said.

Brandy Howard attended the brunch to support her mother, who lost her son Donovan.

"He was an excellent guy. He went to school and was working -- just wrong place and wrong time," Brandy Howard said.

Donovan was just 19 years old when he died as a result of a gunshot wound back in 2010. He was shot near 47th and Locust. No one has been taken into custody in connection with his death. Sunday's brunch gave his mother and sister an opportunity to come together with others who are grieving.

"In talking it gets it out and helps a lot," Howard said.

Organizers hope to make this Mother's Day brunch an annual event. This year, 26 mothers were sponsored and got to eat for free on Mother's Day.