Mother turns grief into action nearly a year after 18-year-old son fatally shot
Jenny Sparrow’s son, Joshua, was killed last October on Reverend James A. Polite Avenue.
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Nearly a year after her 18-year-old son was shot and killed in the Bronx, Jenny Sparrow is channeling her grief into helping others.
Sparrow’s son, Joshua, was killed last October on Reverend James A. Polite Avenue.
Since then, she has launched a foundation called ‘Life Be Lyfing,’ which aims to support parents of troubled teens and provide resources for young people.
“It’s been challenging. My family suffered a lot. We went through so many stages, and that’s what inspired the name ‘Life Be Lyfing,’” Sparrow said.
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Every Sunday, Sparrow hosts support meetings at the 67th Precinct. She says the gatherings focus on mental health and encourage families to seek therapy.
“We educate kids and parents on how to stay away from drugs, how to handle depression,” she said. “We really focus on mental health. We promote therapy.”
On Tuesday, Sparrow organized a back-to-school giveaway to provide children with supplies as they head into the new school year.
She says her work helps keep her son’s memory alive and she hopes it helps prevent other families from experiencing the same pain.
“To save another life, to save another parent from hurt… if one of us does it, it might be a domino effect,” she said.
