Foundation helps mothers who have lost children to gun violence cope through art therapy, sports

CHICAGO — Some Chicago moms who have lost children to gun violence are spending Mother’s Day weekend connecting with young people and each other.

Chrissy Morgan said she feels conflicted on Mother’s Day.

“I definitely feel heavy but I want to keep moving so it’s a battle to say the least,” Morgan said.

The mom of four’s only daughter Danisha was killed in Houston in 2020.

“Nothing is the same and it never will be,” Morgan said.

Besides a sip and paint experience she shared with her daughter, Morgan had no background in art, that is until she was introduced to the Ladies of the Arc, a group of women who have lost children to violence.

It’s part of the Noah’s Arc Foundation, launched by former Chicago Bulls Star Joakim Noah and his mother Cecilia Rodhe, and taps into the power of sports and art therapy to transform lives.

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“You don’t have to say anything, it doesn’t have to make sense. It’s freedom for that time and I love sharing that with the kids,” Morgan said.

At Kennedy-King College, participants in the foundation’s youth basketball camp also got to sit in on a free art expression workshop led by Morgan.

Participants made cards to send their love to their mothers.

“It’s definitely a comfort zone, a comfort zone. I thank Cecilia for starting this group I didn’t know I needed it until I was in,” Morgan said.

Through her grief, Morgan said she is grateful to be able to interact with the young people and have a community of women to lean on who understands.

“It’s hard for me to speak freely about how I’m feeling. They know exactly how I’m feeling, I want to stay strong for them,” Morgan said.

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