LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rose Smith wears angel wings around her neck for her son Cory Michael Crowe, nicknamed “Ace.”
It’s been eight years since someone shot and killed the 24-year-old in Louisville.
“He didn’t meet a stranger and he would help anybody,” she said.
Smith created The ACE Project in his memory, offering community services and counseling to those impacted by trauma.
So far this year, Louisville police say at least 60 people have been killed, including victims of mass shootings at Old National Bank and Chickasaw Park.
“Every time I hear of another one, it’s like throwing salt on my open wounds,” said Smith. “It tears me up. It’s awful.”
Now, Smith is calling on the public to contribute to funds established by the Community Foundation of Louisville in partnership with the National Compassion Fund for survivors of each of the mass shootings.
The Community Foundation has also set up funds for nonprofits that are working to assist gun violence survivors and prevent gun deaths.
“Some people are even unable to work after losing their family member, so how do they pay the rent?” asked Ramona Dallum, vice president of community engagement for the Community Foundation of Louisville. “How do they continue to provide food, clothing and shelter for the family that remains? Sometimes the person who is taken in these violent incidents is the primary breadwinner of the family.”
It’s the support Smith said she could have used after she lost her son.
“We talk about a village. Where is the village?” asked Smith. “The village, it shouldn’t just be for the east side of the village, or the south side. The village is a complete north, south, east and west.”
If Louisville calls itself a compassionate city, its people should show it, said Smith.
The Community Foundation of Louisville said families need to fill out an application and meet eligibility requirements for the funds related to the shootings at Old National Bank and Chickasaw Park.