LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new Louisville group has a unique tool to battle gun violence while bringing comfort and healing to families that have lost loved ones to murder: pillows.
The Voices of Survivors Education Movement's purpose is to help family members of the victims find a way to heal.
Three years ago, Demond Ramsey was murdered. On Wednesday, his widow, Lamonique Mason, shared how she helped her son heal and cope. She made him a pillow with his dad's picture on it.
"My son," Mason said. "It's been a really good coping method for him. He doesn't do anything without his pillow with him and his daddy on it."
That sparked an idea. One year ago, Mason started a business called Beans Queens BeSpoke Pillows. She makes custom pillows, but she also started making special memorial pillows to help other families heal.
She remembers the first one she made for a man who lost his mother.
"When I gave him the pillow, he just started crying," Mason said. "And he hugs me, and he was like, I never thought I'd be able to lay with my mother again. So it started there, and I didn't really think the impact it would have on people."
On Wednesday, a new non-profit called Peace Centered Alliance announced they will donate funds to help with the cost of the next 25 memorial pillows. Peace Centered Alliance is still being built, but the group will be focused on supporting survivors.
"The basic idea is to provide organization and structure for a lot of the work that others in the community have already been doing, in three key areas: victims, violence and education," said Josh Crawford, vice chairman of the Peace Centered Alliance board.
Crawford said these pillows fit into their mission.
And providing a new method for families to cope is fulfilling, said Mason.
"I just get a thrill bringing the emotion to people,"Â she said. "I just love them. And it just makes my heart smile, because I know we've been through it before with the whole process. And when my son asked me to make him one ... there was a change in his behavior. He said, 'I just always feel like my daddy is around me now when I'm in my room.'"
Mason presented the first pillow to Mary Williams on Wednesday. Williams' 17-year-old son, Martez Wade, was shot and killed three weeks ago outside their apartment on Glimmer Way.
She was shocked and moved as Mason presented her with the pillow. It's black with a picture of Williams with her son and his name in silver lettering. And on the back, it reads Voices of Survivors Education Movement.
"It's beautiful," Williams said. "A good thing for someone to have, because they can cuddle with it."
The pillows also push a message of education to prevent violence. Williams said children need to learn that retaliation is not justice.
"Kids need to be educated," she said. "So maybe they'll know what to do as far as not to use guns. There are other ways to hand you're mad or your anger."
Side by side, clutching their pillows, the two mothers are now connected in their healing. And in a city gripped by violence, the pillows are loving reminders to strive for peace.
"It's comforting," Mason said. "Of course, it doesn't bring back the loss. But it's comforting."
To contact Mason for custom orders or to make a donation, visit her instagram account.
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