Meet Ericka Parker of Virginia, founder and CEO of G.R.I.P.P
Outreach Program.
Ms. Parker knows all too well the feelings of children with absent and
incarcerated parents. Her father, Donnie “Gripp” Griffin, was incarcerated in
2000 when she was only thirteen years old. Growing up without a father was in
itself a difficult experience, but when the judicial system became involved,
her feelings of helplessness and hopelessness increased dramatically. She was
always encouraged to communicate with her father through letters, gradually
reducing her feelings of abandonment, but her desire for true self-knowledge
grew in the year of his release in 2005.
Unfortunately,
the bonding process between the two was cut short when Griffin passed away of
cancer nine months after his release. This was a major “speed bump” to her
growth. Parker understood that the past held vital information for her future
progress. The connection to her past now gone left her with many unanswered
questions and concerns, and a keen awareness of the immensity of the loss to
her and so many children of incarcerated parents.
Gripp
Outreach Program was established not only to commemorate Parker’s late father,
but also to help low-income families and children in similar circumstances heal
through various platforms. Sadly, statistics show most children follow the path
of their incarcerated parents as a result of their absence. Donations help fund this
organization’s initiative to provide school supplies for children they mentor
and tutor. This program will also be able to provide trips, activities, and
seminars to aid families in developing coping and reunification strategies. Their goal is to teach children that
they are not alone and can achieve anything.
My
greatest accomplishment to date has been:
My
greatest accomplishment came in May 2012 when I received my master’s degree in
Psychology despite the many obstacles that tried to slow me down. My passion
has always been to help others, and my degree gets me closer to doing the work
I was set to do every day.
The
most challenging thing I ever experienced was:
Burying
my father and forgiving him. Many
children expect to bury their parents, but not at a young age. It was difficult knowing exactly how
to feel considering we had been estranged for so many years. Forgiving him for all the years lost
was just as hard. Forgiving
is something that we all must to learn how to do, not only because it is the
right thing to do, but it also helps us release the negative energy we tend to
build up holding on to that hurt.
Most
Valuable Lesson(s): I’ve learned is to
love me no matter what! There
have been many times I thought I did not deserve something or someone because
of my situations or lack of something I “thought I should have.” Life is not a
competition, and when I started accepting that we all have different paths,
gifts, and callings I learned to focus more on myself. The more you focus on
you, the more you learn about yourself. This helps with the process of loving
you! When you love yourself, you tend to spread the love. The return is incredible!
Final
Remarks:
If you have
a dream go for it-dreams are good! Turn your challenges into learning
experiences, because you never know who you could help in the future.
Recent Spotlight Features
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BOND Inc Spotlight features ordinary African American women who are doing extra-ordinary things. If you or anyone you know would like to be featured, send your requests for more information to iambondinc@gmail.com.
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