DAYTON, Ohio — It’s been a long road to recovery for Dion Green who lost his father Derrick Fudge on the night of August 4, 2019.

What You Need To Know

  • Dion Green lost his father Derrick Fudge during the mass shooting in Dayton's Oregon District on August 4, 2019

  • In 2020, Green published his book called "Untitled, Act of God/Act of Man," which covers the tragedy and his recovery

  • He also created his nonprofit, called the Fudge Foundation, which supports people who have experienced or lost family to gun violence

“I never thought I would be a victim of gun violence,” said Green. “I’m a survivor and a victim because I was there and I lost my father in the shooting.”

A year later, Green still struggles to move forward with the pain he endured from that tragic night. But his path to recovery began with forgiveness and healing.

“I forgave the shooter’s parents and the family,” he said. “I don’t forget, but I can’t hold that anger in and then be trying to tell other people not to. I have to lead by example.”

One of the ways in which he is healing is by sharing his story. This year he published his book called "Untitled, Act of God/Act of Man."

“It shares my dark times going through those situations and it started from a form of therapy and going to counseling and I was just writing the event and I just started writing and writing and I ended up just creating a book,” he said.

In addition to his book, he also created the Fudge Foundation — which stands for Flourishing Under Distress Giving Encouragement. Through his nonprofit, he hopes to help people like him heal.

“I know what it is getting in that dark tunnel and if there’s no one there to support and help you out, you can be lost to suicide to addiction and to many other illnesses that can occur from depression,” he said.

Green says he is forever grateful for the support he received from his family and friends who helped him through the hard times.

“I received great support from the community, from family, from the country, and every time I do an interview I always let them know that I appreciate them for blanketing me with strength from going down a dark tunnel,” he said.

Moving forward, Green says he would like see better gun legislation and he is committed to helping other survivors of gun violence.

“I’ve been there, so I’m going to hold other people’s hands and help them get through it so we can all shine together.”

To learn more about his book and the Fudge Foundation, visit Green's website.