To love, raise, and pour into your child for 23 years, only to lose them to an act of violence at the hands of another person, is a pain I would not wish on anyone. There were many days when I truly did not know how I would continue living without my son.

In the midst of that pain, I found myself reflecting on the many conversations we shared while he was at work, caring for youth with mental health challenges. He spoke about them with compassion and purpose. He took pride in making sure they looked their best, felt cared for, and knew they mattered. Even in my grief, those memories would bring a smile to my face.

That is when I realized this work is part of my healing and part of his legacy.

The Malik Sims Foundation was created so that his love for others can continue to live on. Through this foundation, I hope to create opportunities, support, and safe spaces for youth and families who need them most. There is no greater honor than continuing the kind of work that reflected the heart of my son, and I could not be more proud of the young man he was.