ABOUT THE FOUNDER
ETHEL GARDNER, THE CROWN OF COURAGE
The Kennedy Austin Foundation was founded by Ethel Gardner in March 1998 and it was born of tragedy: On May 31, 1992, Ethel’s 17-year-old son, Damon Jermaine Jones, died from injuries received in a car accident. He was on life support for seven days. Ethel’s world was rocked with grief and pain.
One year later in July 1993, Ethel created A Mother's Cry Grief Support Group to help other families dealing with the loss of a child. In March 1998, the Mother's Cry Grief Support Group became The Kennedy Austin Development Center, later named The Kennedy Austin Foundation.
The foundation’s name was inspired by the birth of Ethel's first granddaughter, Kennedy Austin, whom she thought she would never see, and who brought life and healing to Ethel's broken heart.
The videos below comprise three episodes detailing Ethel’s life before, during, and after the loss of her child. You will find the series, particularly episode 2, compelling---please share it with family, coworkers, and friends.
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Kennedy Austin Foundation T-Shirts
Crown of Courage T-Shirts sizes Small to 1X
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Kennedy Austin Foundation International Family Institute Crown of Courage T-Shirts