Today we’d like to introduce you to Quin Levy.
Hi Quin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a wife, mother and the CEO/ Founder of the M. Ariel Love Foundation. The M. Ariel Love Foundation was birthed, out of the domestic violence homicide of my daughter, Maylaysia Ariel Levy. As a result, I am also the grandmother of an orphan and an avid domestic violence prevention advocate. I am known for being analytical, articulate, and candid. I am proud to be able to create a legacy in honor of my daughter that will save many lives. Approaching this issue with a front row seat to the damage domestic violence causes, I have been certified by the state of Texas, as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. Starting a non-profit is hard work because you don’t have grant funds or much community support at that. All you really have is the purpose that God has placed upon you, your “village,” and a will to get it done. You end up spending your personal funds to facilitate events and materials. You find out that even though your “village” may support you morally, they don’t always want to help. That’s a defeating feeling. However, you must respectfully understand that your purpose is not theirs and realize that they aren’t the audience. The children need this. The world needs it, and so you just take a rest, regroup and keep going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
On August 8, 2020, my 19-year-old daughter was murdered by the father of her then 5-week-old baby girl. The relationship between them was both tense and toxic, but I never thought this would have happened. In some sick way, Maylaysia thought he “loved” her. She didn’t grow up in a home where abuse was acceptable, but we also never talked in detail about “how you know if someone really loves you? What does that look like?” She was fooled, and there was no chance to “live and learn.” I’ve witnessed manipulation and emotional abuse. I’ve seen what it did to my own daughter. I hate that I wasn’t able to get through to my daughter in time to save her life. Since that day, I’ve vowed that her death would not be in vain. At the M. Ariel Love Foundation, we make it our business to educate youth, adolescents, and all who will listen about domestic abuse, toxicity, and what a healthy love looks like. The first step to prevention is education. We currently host 3 workshops and 1 fundraising event/celebration annually. We have much more in store, but doing our part to decrease the number of abuse victims and domestic homicides means that Maylaysia did not die in vain. Domestic Violence must stop.
Any big plans?
In the future, we plan to launch mentor programs for girls as well as boys. We plan to be in community centers and schools all across Texas, bringing awareness and making the distinction between healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Eventually, we want to open a Community Center that can accommodate both youth and adolescents with domestic situation, therapy resources, and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariellovefoundation.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/m.ariellovefoundation/
Image Credits
Robin Tatmon
