About Us
The specific purposes for which this corporation is organized are to recognize the victims of violent crimes, including, but not limited to, material relating to grief support, through publications, lectures and provide charitable assistance to the general public in establishing monuments (headstones, grave markers and memorials) honoring deceased victims.
Who We Are
We are a non-profit foundation dedicated to serving our target population of low to moderate level income families, who are unable to afford grave markers or headstones for their loved ones.
Our Organization's Mission
The specific purposes for which this corporation is organized are to recognize the victims of violent crimes, including, but not limited to, material relating to grief support, through publications, lectures and provide charitable assistance to the general public in establishing monuments (headstones, grave markers and memorials) honoring deceased victims.
Who We Serve
We service the low to moderate income level.
Our Programs
We believe every life matters and graves should have a marker. Often families combine monies, getting just enough for the burial and have no choice but, to leave the graves unmarked, we want to eradicate this very sad occurrance.
Upcoming Events
November 2008 memorial unveiling ceremony;
The introduction of The Mary Pearl Willis Act;
November 18th in Los Angeles and San Francisco recognized as a day of remembrance for the victims of Jonestown, Guyana; and
Continue to work with Congress and City Officials to further our services
Board of Directors
Lela Howard
Christian Demirdjian
Major Supporters and Sponsors
Senators Leland Yee, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Supervisors Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, Gloria Molina and Congresswoman Jackie Speier
| Year Founded : |
2007 |
| 501(c)(3) Ruling Year : |
2008 |
| Full-Time Employees : |
1 |
| Volunteers : |
4 |
| Amount Spent Fundraising : |
$1,500 |
What Sets Us Apart
We are the only non-profit organization which services the low to moderate income level who are uninsured and do not have pre-need arrangements with funeral homes. We supply grave markers for those in need to further our motto that no grave shall be unmarked
Objectives for This Fiscal Year
Our objectives for this fiscal year is to help all the families who contact us, work with local police department and coroner's office to bury the unclaimed, giving a proper burial to the forgotten.
Recent Accomplishments
Our recent accomplishments includes location my aunt's unmarked grave, introduce legislature to honor victims of this crime with a concurrent resolution, paying homage to the Jonestown, Guyana victims and their families who have suffered in shame based upon the biased media spin. Introducing The Mary Pearl Willis Act, which enforces cemeteries to maintain the grounds which contain loved ones, proper record keeping and plots. We are going state by state having this Act introduced and enforced. We are having the Los Angeles location of Peoples Temple made into a historic site. The former location of the Temple in San Francisco is now a post office, we are having it renamed "Mary Pearl Willis - Speaking Their Names"
All is being done to erase the stigma associated with the massacre and pay honor to the individuals whose lives were taken. We will unveil a memorial listing the names of the victims, who have been identified to date, unfortunately there is a mass grave in Oakland, California containing over 500 bodies of unclaimed victims, which again is a result of the shame families have endured. Our proudest accomplishment will be to unite families of the victims and allow them to hold their heads up high at the unveiling ceremony in San Francisco this November 2008. Also, we have worked with the Mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco to have November 18th declared a day of remembrance for the victims, including having Certificates of Honors given to our foundation.
Again, this is being done to pay respect to the "people" of Peoples Temple.
