January 31, 2022 

Dear Friend: 

I really want to say thank you to everyone on behalf of my family for your kind words of support, encouragement, and love on the unexpected transition of our beautiful mother, Ava Jo Williams. Ava Jo was the rock and biggest cheerleader for my two sisters and I and a pillar in the Zone 8 neighborhood, helping anyone without judgement by providing a bed for someone to rest and a hot meal to fill their belly.  

My family and I would like to keep her home in the family as it was our grandfather’s home and continue the work of “Restoring the Neighbor Back to the ‘Hood” in her honor at 2241 Ferry Park.  Ava Jo valued her ability to provide members of our community with a roof over their heads. My family is in complete support of my vision of her home being a refuge for tired souls and soles as they manage the stresses of life. However, right now, we need support to pay off the mortgage to position us to materialize the vision of the house as a refuge of hope for the community.  

 If you’ve been to one of our annual Backpack events you know the house. It is where Ava Jo cooked the food we served the community. It was the original location for the event and continues to be a place of gathering for community support. I have already purchased an adjacent lot to round out her vision of naming this “Lot of Love” after my grandfather (her father).  

 In lieu of flowers or food, we are asking for your donation to help us turn our grief and pain into the vision of transformation for this neighborhood we have been working on for over 20 years.  

 Click here to make a virtual donation.  

 In honor of our mother,