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Meet Cynthia Gosa-Lazaro of Damion Gosa Memorial Foundation (DGMF) in South Phoenix

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Gosa-Lazaro.

Cynthia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The Damion Gosa Memorial Foundation was formed in memory of my son, Damion L. Gosa. Arising from the tragedy of a young man who was killed during a random home invasion at the age of 35 years old in June 2009. The foundation was originated in order to help youth today grow into persons of integrity and not fall into the violence of the gun-wielding man who stole Damion’s life. After this tragic event, Damion’s family set out to steer youth toward a Christ-like life, filled with integrity, love and respect through the Damion Gosa Memorial Foundation, also known as DGMF.

Founded by Cynthia Gosa-Lazaro, mother of Damion Gosa, DGMF strives to empower, encourage, motivate, and inspire youth to rise above their environments and reach their highest potential. Which is also the Mission Statement of DGMF. Cynthia believes if she can influence the lives of youth, she may the opportunity to prevent premature deaths due to violence.

We started in a small home in South Phoenix that once belonged to his grandparents. The house is known throughout the area as House of Helps Community Center, and also where DGMF currently operates. While this has been a convenient location to begin the work with at-risk youth because of the community in which it lies, it needs additional resources for growth and to expand its total vision.

DGMF /E.M.P.L.O.Y utilizes our programs, which include sports mediums and others to draw young people and mentor them in all aspects of life, all while instilling in them the value of their lives and the lives of others. Through faithful partners in our vision, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Fry’s Food Stores, Walmart Stores, Safeway Stores, Phoenix Police Department, Gilbert/Chandler Police Departments, Shea Homes, community leaders, Phoenix Union High School District, we have been able to successfully activate our E.M.P.L.O.Y After School Program, Food Box Community Distribution, Kids for Christ Music Ministry, DGMF Annual Basketball Tournament (A Tourney with a Purpose), Boys’ Mentorship, Mothers and Families of Murdered Children, and our Annual Freedom From Violence Walk. We are grateful to our community members, law enforcement, sports venues, inspirational speakers, churches and many more for their assistance in helping us get to where we are today. Their help in spreading the mission of DGMF has been tremendously rewarding.

Has it been a smooth road?
No, the road has been extremely rough, very trying. As DGMF is a Non-Profit 501 (C3) Organization that operates off of strictly donations and volunteer services. We have run into obstacles where our volunteers have not been reliable, donors are non-committal, but we continue to struggle to provide the youth with the services that are so vital to DGMF’s commitment to them.

We realize that the best laid plans of our volunteers sometimes get interrupted by personal problems that cause them to have to back away. We continue to look for motivated and dedicated individuals who are willing to sacrifice a few hours of their work week to the youth.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Damion Gosa Memorial Foundation (DGMF) – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
DGMF reaches its goals through the following activities:
After-School Program, providing structured activities such as Tutoring, Nutritional Education, Financial and Computer Literacy, Gun Safety-Firearm alternative (Violence Prevention)
Drug Prevention
Alternatives to Gang involvement
Music through a weekly choir practice and periodic performances
Arts and Crafts Activities
Drama and Plays in association with ATFG (Art Taken for Granted) & Phoenix Center for the Arts
Learning about Giving to those even less fortunate than themselves through assisting with preparing food boxes for distribution, assisting with clothing preparation for distribution.
Providing a program that assists families in learning how to live again, regain love and strength and recreate as well as rebuild when a family has lots a child to violence. We assemble together to give and receive support. We are here to comfort, encourage, empower, strengthen, and help bear the burdens of one another.

We are proud of the fact that we are effective in our efforts to build our youth up with a firm foundation that is built beneath them. One that will provide lifetime avenues for them to achieve their dreams and be elevated to a level of living that many adults have not achieved. They will know that they will live powerfully through our programs. They are unique and special! They know that they are loved as they find a sense of belonging, understanding that they can become the leaders of tomorrow, Future doctors, lawyers, politicians, ministers and teachers. No goal is unattainable! We are effective in steering youth from violence to change a generation and we are so proud about it!

We are especially proud of one of our very first participants who came to us unable to speak English and has gone on to graduate from high school and received a scholarship from Arizona State University. He also received the President’s Education Award of Excellence in Education and Outstanding Educational Growth from President B. Obama!

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I love the weather that we have in every season of the year, except summer!!!

Pricing:

  • Platinum Sponsorships – 10,000.00 (Tax Deductible Donation)
  • Gold Sponsorships – 5,000.00 (Tax Deductible Donation)
  • Silver Sponsorships – 2,500.00 (Tax Deductible Donation)
  • Bronze Sponsorships – 1,500.00 (Tax Deductible Donation)
  • Copper Sponsorships – 1,000.00 (Tax Deductible Donation)

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
DGMF

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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