Since I was young, I always wanted to help my brother have a good life. We lived in separate states and were raised in separate households. He was 16 years younger than me and I loved him immensely. The occasional visits back and forth between states at a young age were not all that often, but became more once I began driving and could drive out on my own.

Growing up, my brother was one of the most caring, loving, and funny people I had ever come to know. But he struggled with the trauma of being raised in a household plagued with substance use. As time went on, my brother developed a substance use disorder as well.

My brother lived and worked with our father, spending practically every waking hour with him. Two and a half years ago, our father committed suicide. I wish he was not the one to find him, but he was. My brother asked if he could live with me. I was able to find him a winter rental close by and he moved in a few weeks later. He came to my house before he went to work for breakfast, he got my kids off the bus from school, he ate family dinners with us daily, and he hung out with me and my children until I kicked him out each night before the kids bed time. He had become a permanent part of our life and we were loving every second of it.

After a few months with us, substance use reared it's ugly face and my brother left to keep it away from my children as he had promised. We were devasted to see him go. After a few months had passed, he asked for help and our family rallied together to get him the help he needed. After being in recovery for a few months, his mother passed of an overdose and unfortunately, once again, my brother was the one who found her.

My brother came to visit last March for St. Patrick's Day. We spent an awesome long weekend together. The kids had a blast, I had a blast, and I know my brother did too. When he got home Sunday night, he told me he was thinking about moving back by me and the kids. I told him we would talk more about it the next day. When I called him, he did not answer. A few hours later, I received the worst phone call of my life. My brother had died. He purchased drugs that were laced with fentanyl and overdosed.

I loved my brother so much- this never should have happened. And it should not continue to happen to other families. The reality of drug addiction is devastatingly heartbreaking to all of those affected. This nonprofit is hoping to help children and teens find an outlet to cope with their daily struggles instead of turning to drugs. Love, Parker aims to promote holistic wellness in children and teens who have suffered trauma by getting them actively engaged in music and sports by providing funding for lessons and / or equipment.

We need to rally together and try to improve the mental wellbeing of our youth. They are our future! Please donate to Love, Parker and help build strength in our youth through music and sports.

Building Strength Through Music and Sports

By Love Parker

Building Strength Through Music and Sports

Love, Parker - a nonprofit organization

Team Members