Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Contact: Lynn Pinder
(443) 257-6752
Local Mother Turns Tragedy into Triumph:
Kimberly Armstrong Shares Her Amazing Story
BALTIMORE – It’s a Friday afternoon on March 14, 2008, but this is no typical Friday or March 14th for Kimberly Armstrong. As she sits in the Barnes & Noble Café in Charles Village sipping her coffee, fighting back tears, and putting the last touches on her application to the Open Society Institute/Baltimore Fellowship program, she can’t help but think about her youngest son – Eric Villines - who was born on this day. His young life was snatched from her and those who loved him in 2004 at the tender age of 16 when he was shot and killed outside her Northeast Baltimore home.
Prior to her son’s death, Ms. Armstrong quit her job as a bus driver for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to find help for her son. “I became fed-up and frustrated with the lack of information, the difficulty in dealing with multiple people from multiple agencies who were not effectively communicating with each other or with me, the parent,” said Kimberly Armstrong. Her experience compelled her to take action and help others navigate through the Maryland Juvenile Justice System.
As a mother who fought a bitter-sweet battle against the Maryland Juvenile Justice system to save her teenage son from a 25-year life sentence, she understands - first-hand - the frustration, despair, and hopelessness parents face in trying to obtain adequate resources and supports to help troubled youth. She is the first to admit that her son was a troubled teen who unfortunately got caught-up; and, although she won the battle for his life against the juvenile justice system, she – ultimately - lost her son to the violent streets of Baltimore.
Kimberly Armstrong shares her story with anyone who will listen. She has testified before the state legislature, spoken at national conferences, and just recently co-authored a book, The Christian Women’s Guide for Personal Success, to help people deal with grief and loss. She is hosting her first book signing on Saturday, March 22nd at 3:30 p.m. at the New Life United Methodist Church located 4400 Parkside Drive in Baltimore, MD (21206).
For more information or to schedule an interview, please call 443-257-6752 or 443-845-3116.
Kimberly Armstrong Shares Her Amazing Story
BALTIMORE – It’s a Friday afternoon on March 14, 2008, but this is no typical Friday or March 14th for Kimberly Armstrong. As she sits in the Barnes & Noble Café in Charles Village sipping her coffee, fighting back tears, and putting the last touches on her application to the Open Society Institute/Baltimore Fellowship program, she can’t help but think about her youngest son – Eric Villines - who was born on this day. His young life was snatched from her and those who loved him in 2004 at the tender age of 16 when he was shot and killed outside her Northeast Baltimore home.
Prior to her son’s death, Ms. Armstrong quit her job as a bus driver for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to find help for her son. “I became fed-up and frustrated with the lack of information, the difficulty in dealing with multiple people from multiple agencies who were not effectively communicating with each other or with me, the parent,” said Kimberly Armstrong. Her experience compelled her to take action and help others navigate through the Maryland Juvenile Justice System.
As a mother who fought a bitter-sweet battle against the Maryland Juvenile Justice system to save her teenage son from a 25-year life sentence, she understands - first-hand - the frustration, despair, and hopelessness parents face in trying to obtain adequate resources and supports to help troubled youth. She is the first to admit that her son was a troubled teen who unfortunately got caught-up; and, although she won the battle for his life against the juvenile justice system, she – ultimately - lost her son to the violent streets of Baltimore.
Kimberly Armstrong shares her story with anyone who will listen. She has testified before the state legislature, spoken at national conferences, and just recently co-authored a book, The Christian Women’s Guide for Personal Success, to help people deal with grief and loss. She is hosting her first book signing on Saturday, March 22nd at 3:30 p.m. at the New Life United Methodist Church located 4400 Parkside Drive in Baltimore, MD (21206).
For more information or to schedule an interview, please call 443-257-6752 or 443-845-3116.
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