Exploring Life & Business with Aurielle Carson of Dreams for Darrius Inc.,

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aurielle Carson.

Hi Aurielle , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My first cousin Darrius Heard was murdered on December 31, 2023, at just 23 years old. His mother (my aunt) died of health-related complications years earlier. Losing a mother and son is devasting and almost debilitating when it is your family. Grief is a constant wave of emotions that never leaves you and instead of trying to rid myself of this pain I am now forced to live with, I decided to walk alongside grief and others who are battling the same.
Dreams for Darrius, Inc., was created in his honor to help youth and young adults who have to live with the loss of a guardian and the family members or individuals who step up in the wake. We are 2 years in and have completed Back to School drives and a community baby shower for new and expecting parents. As the years progress, I hope to expand to bereavement counseling and tutoring to further assist our youth.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Grief puts a mirror to you and forces you to question your own footprint on Earth. I began to ask myself questions like “what do you want to be known for and what is stopping you from your best self?” Often times, the most difficult struggle I face as the president of a nonprofit is putting personal beliefs or feelings to the side for the greater good. There are a lot of doors that close regardless of the positivity of your cause. There have been numerous grant denials, struggles within the city itself that limit resources to local nonprofits, and other systematic blocks in place when it comes to support for the underprivileged. Many times, it can feel as if all factors are working against you. Grief is similar in a way; it’s a constant push but I remember a quote I saw on a social media site “grief is just love with nowhere to go.” Dreams for Darrius is that home for me in grief, through support in community I have somewhere for that love to go.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dreams for Darrius Inc.,?
Dreams for Darrius Inc., is a nonprofit organization designed to provide
immediate and ongoing support to individuals of all ages who have lost a parent and/or
guardian.
To alleviate this problem and positively impact the lives of the underprivileged youth in bereavement, our organization aims to provide fundamental resources such as therapy, tutoring, and clothing, while building community and safe havens through education, advocacy, and outreach programs. Ultimately, we are aware that grief is inevitable and has no singular solution, however we intend to alleviate the negative long-term implications that can follow grief when unaddressed within a family, associates, and institutions.

Grief and Relief includes the following key components:
1.Free tutoring and counseling:
2.Free community driven events:
3.Free resources to employment and housing opportunities

Our corporation hopes to include working with schools, foster care centers, and hospitals to raise social consciousness about the cause on a local and global level, and hold fundraising events in order to provide immediate relief and assistance to those suffering emotionally, mentally, and financially from the loss of a parent and/or guardian regardless of their race, ethnicity, or
religion.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love the most about Atlanta is the distinct magnetic pull toward entrepreneurial perseverance that opens many doors for likeminded individuals. Unlike most cities, there are so many opportunities to grow and become what I call a “hyphenated professional” or a being with many prosperous hats. This city welcomes new ideas while still reminding newcomers the importance of respect and reverence.
What I like least is the lack of involvement with the city’s government and local nonprofits. I notice a lot of notoriety surrounding the nonprofits owned by local celebrities or nonprofits local council members create for their stay in office to show due diligence to their district, but smaller nonprofits often have to work together to even receive email responses or receive higher rental rates at city owned local recreation centers. I understand the number of nonprofits are many in such a large city like this one, but each have their own “why” and listening to those needs of your community is what will help future generations. There appears to be more of a competition within elected officials and nonprofit founders and less partnerships. We understand the influencers and local celebrities have a large following, but impact should be a greater concern.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dreamsfordarrius.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamsfordarrius/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dreams-for-Darrius-Inc/61571365262019/#