Today we’d like to introduce you to Tacara Woods.
Hi Tacara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
While growing up, I was once told “when someone dies, new life is born”. Now at that particular time, the statement did not make much sense, however, I began to understand its’ significance in the year of 2014.
March 9th of 2014, just 3 weeks shy of giving birth to our daughter, Michael’s life was cut short due to senseless gun violence in the city of Detroit. Understanding the hardships and difficulties that our daughter may face, in 2015, I decided to take a stand against violence. I used my pain to fuel a purpose and began creating an outreach program to assist ALL child homicide survivors with coping with the loss and healing from their trauma.
*Miracles to Inspire Change and Healing After Experiencing Loss* (M.I.C.H.A.E.L Organization) was birthed from the sudden/unexpected death of Michael. As many of you know, our goals are to help connect children with their peers who have shared a similar loss, assist them with learning new coping skills, build their resilience, and let our children know that they are not alone throughout their healing journey. And for the past few years, we have been successful in our mission. We have been able to fulfill a greater need within our community by providing a safe space for children to build relationships, gain support, boost awareness, educate themselves, and find purpose in their pain.
Michael’s Legacy will forever live on, not only through our daughter but also through the lives we touch daily.
Tacara Woods
Licensed Clinical Therapist, Certified in Trauma/Grief/Loss
CEO of The M.I.C.H.A.E.L Org
Founder of The Grief Shop
Owner of Grief Geeks
Tamiya
Author of Children’s Grief Series Book
Future CEO of The M.I.C.H.A.E.L Org
Founder of The Grief Geeks
Part owner of The Grief Shop
Unfortunately, Tamiya is no stranger to the “grief squad”. Our nonprofit organization is named M.I.C.H.A.E.L (Miracles to Inspire Change and Healing After Experiencing Loss) in which Tamiya is our future CEO! From individual/group therapy, summer camps, workshops, and recreational activities we have been able to touch the lives of grieving children within the metropolitan area. Tamiya has assisted us with programming throughout the years and just recently had the idea to open a new entity under the organization called: Grief Geeks. From YouTube Channels, TikToks, Videos, and much more, she’s put on her “Geek” gear and welcomed her “Grief Squad” as she educates the world about children’s grief. To be so young, Tamiya has found a passion for grief work. She wants to help all children who may have felt feelings similar to her own. ****She’s ready to take it to the next level and believes her series of grief reading/coloring books could help children around the world.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth journey. Grief/loss/trauma are topics people are afraid to address. Honestly, the world has difficulty recognizing grief and are unable to identify ways to help those suffering from the pain of losing their loved one. Grief is a normal and natural emotional reaction to loss or change of any kind. Though Grief/loss is something we all will experience throughout our lifetime, grief is still a taboo subject that many believe shouldn’t be talked about, especially children’s grief.
Challenges:
Children and teens often grieve differently than adults. They may not know the words to express their feelings or they may act out their grief. For this very reason, their grief is often misinterpreted or overlooked, causing them to become the “forgotten mourners.” In order to help children, cope with loss, we must recognize the misconceptions that stand in the way of providing them with the same understanding and support that is offered to adults during their grieving process. First, by acknowledging that if a child is old enough to love, they are old enough to grieve. Then understanding that grief not only affects a child’s emotional state, but it has lasting effects on their psychological, physical, behavioral, and social development.
As many of you are aware, violence and homicide has overtaken our local communities, affecting the lives of our children daily. Though the city of Detroit is mounting a comeback, violent crimes within our neighborhoods still remains a huge problem. As of 2016, Detroit has been ranked with the fourth highest murder rate among major cities in the entire United States.
Past research on the cycle of violence, indicates that adults who were traumatized by homicide as children are more likely to commit crimes at a later age; yet child homicide survivors remain one of our most underserved populations. Though the number of homicide cases in Detroit dropped by 12% in 2017, each day we still report on shootings in the city that change the lives of families forever.
Child homicide survivors need long-term support and resources that help them reestablish their sense of safety, reduce their isolation, increase their knowledge of the impact of violence on their lives, and help to increase self-care and coping strategies.
Although homicide cases receive heightened attention from media and the criminal justice system, the children who are directly affected lack adequate support. As you may know, everyone experiences death in a different way, yet when the death is caused by a homicide; the grief tends to be intensified. After a violent death, children in particular, experience a wide range of emotions and need support, resources, and specific services. Most child homicide survivors struggle with feelings of fear, blame, confusion, depression, and isolation. Not effectively coping with the trauma and loss from homicide can also invite thoughts of suicide, alcoholism, and substance abuse in children. Having a strong support system and individuals educated on how to help them, is a huge factor for establishing resiliency for youth who have experienced trauma and loss through violence. This is where The M.I.C.H.A.E.L Organization steps in!
NOTE: Grief can bring adults to their knees. Imagine then the struggle of the one of every 20 children who will experience the death of a parent before they graduate high school. Keep in mind that this number doesn’t include those who experience the death of a close family member. Greater than any education information or advice we can give to children who are grieving, is to allow them to connect with others who have gone through a similar loss. When children feel understood by those around them and when they have the opportunity to express their grief in their own unique way, they feel less alone and, in turn, progress better than they would otherwise.
Other Struggles: Funding, Fear, Location, Support
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Licensed Clinical Therapist who specializes in grief, loss, and trauma. I am known for my the grief/trauma-informed services I provide in the community to both children and families:
Customer-centered
Passionate
Giving
Supportive
Patient
Innovative/Unique
Inspirational/Encouraging
Transparency
I have an educational background in both Mental Health and Early Child Development. In addition, I possess a Clinical Certification as Trauma Practitioner and most importantly, hold the status of Licensed Master Social Worker-Clinical in Michigan.
What sets us apart is our wholistic approach to grief/loss/trauma, especially to our child homicide survivors.
Turning Pain into Passion
Turning Hurt into Healing
Turning Tragedy to Triumph
Businesses:
M.I.C.H.A.E.L Organization- helping children cope with the loss of parent or close relative due to violence.
The Grief Shop ®– specialty shop which primarily sells items relating to grief yet also helps in the healing process. We provide custom/personalized items used to honor and memorialize individuals we’ve loved and loss.
Grief Geeks- A group dressed up like “Geeks” called the (Grief Squad). The squad nobody asked to join but membership is automatic after losing someone you love.
-We’re not here by choice
-Nobody wants to be here
Just a supportive group of children (squad) Who gets it!!!
I am most proud of the work we do.
Here are some examples.
• We provide a safe and supportive space that addresses the full spectrum of needs for child homicide survivors. A place where children of trauma can begin to heal properly through support, education, advocacy, therapy, creative arts, social interaction, recreational opportunities, physical activity, and other healthy expressions of grief.
• We provide a healthy environment for children to thrive.
• Our project will continue to advance community priorities by allowing the space for children to heal properly.
• Our goals are to help connect children with their peers who have shared a similar loss, assist them with learning new coping skills, build their resilience, and let our children know that they are not alone throughout their healing journey. And for the past few years we have been successful in our mission. We have been able to fulfill a greater need within our community by providing a safe space for children to build relationships, gain support, boost awareness, educate themselves, and find purpose in their pain.
• Our project helps to improve the quality of the community by providing a safe space to meet both the crisis and long term needs of child homicide survivors. This allows us to focus on the impact that trauma has on our children and ensure that they have a safe/supportive environment while accessing the necessary tools for properly healing. If we continue to educate our children, boost their awareness, strengthen their minds, and provide them with pathways to success…. we can ultimately break the cycle of violence within the city of Detroit.
Our Grief Merchandise (T-shirts, mugs, key tags, etc.)
-Grieve Me Alone
-Healing In Progress Please Be Patient
-My Grief Matters
-Don’t Tell Me How To Grieve
-Grieving Ain’t Easy But Somebody Got To Do It
-Love Yo_rself, The Only Thing Missing Is U!
Events/Activities
*FREE Weekly Text Support Group
*When Grief Strikes (Recreational/Bowling Activity)
*FREE Therapy services (individual and family)
* “GOT GRIEF” Virtual Summer Camp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swnu73jZ_0g
*CHILDREN’S GRIEF AWARENESS MONTH: Virtual Activity & Movie Night
*CHILDREN’S GRIEF AWARENESS MONTH: Balloon/Lantern Release
*GRIEF RELIEF: Family Game Night w/ the Pistons
* Biweekly COVID-19/GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS (FREE)
*COVID-19/PPE EQUIPMENT GIVEAWAY
* CO FACILITATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION SUMMER CAMP GROUP W/CALEB KIDS FOUNDATION
* POTTERY IN THE PARK (MICHAEL ORG, WEATHERVANE, LADYBUG STUDIOS)
* FUNERALS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
(MICHAEL ORG, Weathervane Counseling, and funeral director Paddy Lynch)
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Let’s be clear… I am no stranger to grief, loss, or trauma. Growing up in the cities of both Detroit and Highland Park, MI-as I child I was forced to be among the thousands of those struggling to survive in the culture of crime that gripped many neighborhoods. Even though I faced many trauma events, there were still many instances where I experienced some positive childhood memories. My most favorite childhood memories would have to be enjoying summertime fun with family. Swimming, riding bikes, playing on the swing set… just being carefree. Despite the struggles, being able to sit back and just be a kid always help me live in the moment.
Pricing:
- $15 Youth T-Shirts
- $20 Adult T-Shirts
- $40 Hoodies
- $15 Mugs
- $10 Keytags
Contact Info:
- Email: info@themichael.org info@thegriefshop.com griefgeeks@gmail.com
- Website: www.thegriefshop.com www.themichael.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_michael_org/ https://www.instagram.com/the_grief_shop/ https://www.instagram.com/grief_geeks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegriefshop https://www.facebook.com/themichaelorg https://www.facebook.com/griefgeeks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/e3adHTHa3Xo
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swnu73jZ_0g
