For countless Americans, September 11 is a date by which they will recall and reflect upon for years to come.
For Christy Johnson, however, September 10 is a date that undoubtedly will cause her to unleash tears for the rest of her life.
To be technical, it all transpired on September 10, 2013.
That was the date that sent shock waves throughout Johnson’s family when she learned that her daughter, then-19-year-old Destiny, was murdered and left hanging in a closet as a result of domestic violence.
Even after having buried two children — first Destiny then Mark — Johnson, during an exclusive interview this week with Making Headline News, spoke at length about how she steadfastly had to rely of unyielding faith in God to press and navigate her way through arguably the most downtrodden times of her life.
“My inspiration comes from God first and then my daughter, Destiny, and my son, Mark, in heaven,” Johnson said. “God shows me every day that He will provide my every need. God told me He chose me to do this work. Therefore, I cannot stop advocating for those who are being abused and murdered every day.”
To her distinctly unique credit, Johnson — with God, her Helper, leading the way — has gone above and beyond to be a voice and a beacon of light for those who have endured and, perhaps witnessed their lives cut short amid domestic violence.
A native of Mississippi, Johnson is the President and Founder of Finding Your Destiny, Inc., a Columbia, Maryland-based non-profit domestic violence and suicide prevention organization she established months after her daughter’s tragic death.
“Immediately, I began my organization because I knew the pain I felt I did not want another mother or father to feel,” Johnson said.
In addition, Johnson is widely known as an activist for individuals who have experienced or are presently being mistreated and suffering various forms of abuse.
WHAT ABOUT FINDING YOUR DESTINY? http://www.findingyourdestiny.org
Moreover, amongst her notable goals is to serve people of various races and both sexes. Also, Johnson’s key objectives, particularly through what she describes as “societal transparency,” is to empower, transform, and rebuild the lives of women and teen girls through Finding Your Destiny, Inc., especially by way of Biblical principles or a spiritual avenue, of sorts, for teaching about domestic violence, suicide, and other forms of abuse.
“My personal mission for the work I do is to educate, regenerate, create, transform, and heal broken hearts, minds, and souls of those affected by domestic violence and other forms of abuse,” Johnson explained.
Interesting enough, Johnson’s immense contributions through her non-profit organization have allowed her to diligently put her advocacy gifts on display outside of the United States, most notably in the United Kingdom.
“My mission for the trip to London, England was to bring resources and to educate those living in silence about my programs and book I wrote on the violence residence in London face every day,” Johnson said.
All things considered, Johnson consequently authored two books in the wake of arguably the darkest hours of her life: “From Rattled To Recovery: The Faces Of Domestic Violence Domestic Violence,” and “That Which Is Beyond Death.”
“The books are very valuable because they provide phone numbers, websites, addresses, hotlines, and emergency action plans for safety,” Johnson said.
In addition, Johnson emphasized that she’s aiming to create partnerships with other organizations that share similar objectives and missions geared toward to fighting domestic violence.
Credit her beloved children from heaven above for providing her with the continuous support and inspiration she needs to function daily in her God-given assignment.
PLEASE DONATE TO THE CA– USE: https://www.gofundme.com/domestic-violence-org-help-needed
“I know Destiny and Mark are interceding and helping me stay strong, focused, and determined to fight domestically and internationally,” Johnson said.
Ironically, Johnson has organized an internship program through her non-profit organization as a way to reach back and aid others in fulfilling their dream and joining the fight against domestic violence.
“The internship teaches about crimes and consequences, criminology, advocacy, victimology, restorative justices, crime scenes, victims of crime, victim questioning and domestic violence,” Johnson explained.
LISTEN TO CHRISTY’S PODCAST INTERVIEW: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/russell-price/2017/07/28/russell-price
While Johnson’s organization has proven time and again to be an effective avenue for combating domestic violence, she emphasized, among other observations, which the justice must be served for present and future victims which, according to her, wasn’t the case for her daughter.
“The justice system failed to charge Destiny’s murderer for his crime,” Johnson said. He was allowed to walk free and he murdered another woman. The injustice I received and felt was so devastating that I created an internship program through my organization for criminal justice to inspire every student to do the right thing for victims of victimology. I encourage my students to always display these three values: integrity, empathy, and respect for all crime scenes, families of murdered victims, and for victims.”
As for her itinerary, Johnson’s organization will host a major event on October 6 to commemorate the life of Destiny, as well as domestic violence survivors and other murdered victims whose lives were cut short due to domestic violence.
MORE ON CHRISTY: http://www.thenationalblackunitynews.com/newspaperpage10christi.pdf
In addition, Johnson emphasized that Finding Your Destiny plans to “open heaven” during her forthcoming event as a way to send everlasting love and peace to every person murdered by domestic violence and other forms of abuse.
“This is going to be a national and international movement on Oct 6, 2017,” Johnson said.
A development that in likelihood, figures to bring smiles to the faces of Destiny and Mark — all while her pride and joy look on from heaven above.
A CHRISTY JOHNSON RELATED STORY:
For more information about Finding Your Destiny, Inc. Director Christy Johnson or to schedule her for live interviews, call 443-896-8979 or send email to: Christy@findingyourdestiny.org
MAKING HEADLINE NEWS SALUTES CHRISTY JOHNSON:
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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to andre@makingheadlinenews.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.