NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — Turning grief into purpose. That’s the mission of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement.
The non-profit was founded to honor Jesse Lewis, who was tragically taken at Sandy Hook, nine years ago.
“He always looked at himself as a protector. He would protect us on the farm. He protected his classmates by saving nine of their lives,” Scarlett said.
On Tuesday, Scarlett invited News 8 along as she made stops to pause and reflect. His gravesite, the site of the memorial, and up to the entrance of the school were the stops, sharing how she’s turned tragedy into purpose.
“My son wrote a message on our kitchen chalkboard shortly before he died. He wrote three words: nurturing, healing, love. I knew that was the solution,” Scarlett said. “I realized it was my mission to take this message and spend the rest of my life trying to get it into schools, homes, and communities.”
Her non-profit, the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, is aimed at helping children, using that message Jesse left behind.
“It is our responsibility to give them the skills and tools they need to not only face those challenges, but grow through them, be strengthened by them, and then use what they learned to help others,” Scarlett said.
This programming has reached millions of people and spanned all 50 states. Many have joined in on the cause, during their part to help, including Liberty who is Choose Love’s first comfort dog.
