From Grief to Purpose
S.O.N. (Surviving Our Neighborhood) was founded in Baltimore, Maryland after the tragic loss of Dakarai Malik "Bonk" Baldwin to gun violence in 2022. His mother, Ebony McClenny, turned unimaginable grief into a mission — to be a voice, a resource, and an outlet for families impacted by the choices their children make.
We are committed to addressing the needs of the entire family as they look to identify resources to divert their young person from further involving themselves in negative behavior.
Read the Founder's Story"Losing my SON prompted me to want to be a voice for others. A resource. An outlet in the community for those who are impacted by the lifestyle their children choose."
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
To provide preventable resources to vulnerable youth & young adults in underserved communities affected by trauma.
Our Vision
A trauma-informed approach focuses on fostering resilience by highlighting individuals' strengths, promoting positive coping strategies, and supporting their journey towards post-traumatic growth. By acknowledging and nurturing these qualities, vulnerable youth and young adults affected by trauma can thrive despite their past experiences.
Mental Health
Establish multiple partnerships to provide mental health, counseling and grieving services.
Educational Resources
Provide pro bono Educational Materials and Packets.
Innovation
Leverage, and enhance our position as an innovator, in the field of child and family services.
Our Strategy
Initiatives & Goals. SON Organization desires to provide Trauma and PTSD therapy free of charge to children and families relating to family trauma which often threatens critical bonds of attachment and increases the risk of a host of negative, long-term effects on children's mental and physical health. Currently, when the government reunifies a family, they do not provide any preventative therapy to the children or their families.
Establish multiple partnerships to provide mental health, counseling and grieving services.
Provide pro bono Educational Materials and Packets.
Create statewide holistic service resource list.
Reinforce organizational culture by continuing to invest in the professional and personal growth of staff and volunteers.
Reclaim historical diversified income base by capitalizing on private funding and volunteer opportunities.
Leverage, and enhance our position as an innovator, in the field of child and family services.
Our Approach
We meet families where they are — with resources, not judgment. Our trauma-informed methodology walks alongside youth and their families through three stages.
Identify
Working with families to identify resources and build diversion paths that steer young people away from negative behavior.
Support
Connecting families with mental health, counseling, and grieving services through our network of community partnerships.
Empower
Providing educational resources, workforce development, and life skills training that create lasting, positive change.
Changing Lives in Baltimore
Meet Our Board
Ebony McClenny
Founder & President
Chaun'nay Brown
Secretary
Sunny Chambers
Treasurer
Derrell Frazier
General Board
RaShunda Williams
General BoardOrganizations We Stand With
Together we create a stronger safety net for Baltimore families.
