Dear Supporters,

My name is Akilah Gary, and my journey into community service and intervention has been shaped by a lifetime of witnessing and experiencing the challenges that too many families face.

Raised between Los Angeles and neighborhoods marked by violence, economic hardship, and systematic neglect, I saw firsthand how women and youth often bear the brunt of trauma with minimal support. As a young woman, I became involved in gang life, understanding the pressures that youth endure today.

I've endured profound losses—the deaths of the father of my children, my ex-husband, my best friend, my cousin, and my two nephews, ages 14 and 19, all to gun violence. These tragedies ignited my dedication to violence prevention, healing, and transforming communities.

With over 12 years as a Licensed Vocational Nurse specializing in detox, behavioral health, and crisis care, I bring expertise in de-escalation, trauma response, and compassionate engagement. My work deepened through involvement with 2nd Call, assisting families affected by incarceration, gun violence, and wrongful convictions.

While supporting a loved one through a difficult legal battle, I studied laws, advocated for due process, and helped others navigate their rights, pulling me into restorative justice, reentry support, and trauma-informed leadership.

This path led me to become a bridge—connecting families to resources, organizations to people, and healing to real change.

Mentored by community leaders like Hakeem “Big Sike” Haynes, whose commitment to peace and unity in Los Angeles aligned with my calling, I founded Make Society Better Inc. × WIN (Women Inspiring Neighborhoods) this past September. The organization honors Hakeem's legacy and idea for the name "Make Society Better," turning pain into purpose through culturally rooted support that uplifts women, empowers youth, strengthens families, and reduces violence via community-driven solutions.

Built on four pillars:

• Intervention & Violence Prevention: Supporting communities impacted by generational trauma, incarceration, and systemic inequities.
• Healing & Wellness: Offering grief support, restorative circles, reentry resources, and spaces for emotional and spiritual recovery.
• Women’s Empowerment & Leadership: Aiding women in rebuilding from trauma, incarceration, motherhood challenges, and economic barriers.
• Community Uplift & Engagement: Uniting neighbors through events, clean-ups, youth programs, mentorship, and cultural unity.

Make Society Better Inc. × WIN addresses the gap where families need more than traditional services—they need consistent, loving, and strategic support. WIN specifically amplifies women's voices, providing them a community to rebuild alongside.

This holiday season, we're seeking $6,000 to enhance our community help and organizational mission through offline activities for Thanksgiving and Christmas. These funds will directly support setting up children's face painting stations and life supply giveaways at our community events, with additional backing from some of my low rider friends who are stepping up to support this project for the kids.

The breakdown includes:

• $2,000 for face painting supplies, artists, and setup to bring joy and creativity to youth.
• $3,000 for essential life supplies (such as hygiene kits, clothing, and household items) to distribute to families in need.
• $1,000 for event logistics, including venue permits and promotional materials to ensure broad participation.

These activities will foster healing, unity, and empowerment, aligning with our pillars by creating safe spaces for families to connect, grieve less, and build stronger bonds during the holidays—now amplified by the community spirit from supporters like my low rider friends. Every dollar goes straight to these efforts, with full transparency through our reports.

Your support can transform neighborhoods one event at a time. Donate today to help us make society better—uniting intervention specialists, faith leaders, youth mentors, reentry advocates, and community members in this movement of resilience and service. Together, we heal the community and create lasting change.

Thank you for standing with us.

With gratitude,

Akilah Gary

Founder, Make Society Better Inc. × WIN