October 26th, 2019: Harry Styles performed twice in Chicago as a solo artist: on September 26th, 20017 and on June 30th, 2018. During his 2018 tour, Harry made donations to 59 local charities. In Chicago, he donated to Project Fierce Chicago (article here) and to Purpose Over Pain.
Purpose Over Pain is a 501(c)(3) organization that works to prevent gun violence in the Chicago area. Purpose Over Pain was spearheaded by Pam Bosley, the mother of an 18 years old young man named Terrell, who was killed on April 4th, 2006 outside Lights of Zion Missionary Bible Church, while getting musical instruments off a car to prepare for choir practice. Pam Bosley, together with other parents who lost children to gun violence, founded Purpose Over Pain in 2007.
Below two photographs of Pam Bosley, the founder of Purpose Over Pain.
Purpose Over Pain works to prevent gun violence by sensitizing the community about the problem of gun violence, bringing awareness to common-sense solutions, supporting families who have lost members to gun violence, and providing a positive and enjoyable atmosphere through community events. Some of the more popular events organized by Purpose Over Pain are Safe Saturday Nights 3 on 3 Basketball and Mentoring, Parent Support Days, and Unsolved Cases forums.
The Safe Saturday Night 3 on 3 Basketball & Mentoring session is an event for boys and girls, age 9-21, who have experienced violence within their families or among their peers. The event is open to all family members and combines basketball games/practice with youth mentoring. Parents Support Days, and in particular, Mother’s Day Dream Quilt, are events organized to support parents of kids and young adults that have been victims of gun violence. During these Parents Support Days, often memories of the lost children are brought out as a way to comfort the parents. Finally, in Unsolved Cases Forums, families of victims of gun violence, whose cases remain unsolved, have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the city and the state of Illinois. During these sessions, families can ask questions and join efforts to try to solve these unresolved cases.
The picture below is shared from the Purpose Over Pain website.
Almost six years ago, Pam Bosley started a new initiative: donating coats to children and young adults that cannot afford to buy one. The coats, which are provided by an anonymous donor, are normally distributed at the end of November by Mrs. Bosley and other volunteers at the New Betlehem Church South Cottage Grove. Mrs. Bosley has said about this initiative “When we started five years ago, I noticed that if we can help warm kids’ bodies, maybe that will warm their hearts and we can help end this violence” (source).
Purpose Over Pain is entirely supported by volunteers. If you want to learn more about volunteering for this organization head over to this link.
A Charitable Direction 