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About Us
Our Mission
Masking the pain is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, resources, and empowerment to individuals dealing with various forms of grief and adversity.
We envision a world where no one feels the need to hide their pain!
My Story
At Masking the Pain is more than just an organization—it is a family, a safe haven, and a space for healing for anyone who has ever felt alone in their grief. We are committed to building strong relationships with local therapists, businesses, and community organizations to ensure that those grieving have access to the best possible support. By partnering with grief counselors and mental health professionals, we will provide resources for grief counseling and emotional wellness.
Our founder Francine Lawson established Masking The Pain Masking from deeply loosing family members in 2013. With her resilience, unwavering love, she turned pain into purpose. Since then, she has been tirelessly working local churches and the City of Philadelphia to assist others in discovering healing their own unique ways.
Although our group is newly formed, we are excited to bring over a decade of valuable experience in the realm of community grief support to the table. We constantly seeking to connect and form community partnerships with organizations such as the Philadelphia Public Library. Through these collaborations, we aim to offer a of engaging and healing activities that not only foster connection but also joy within our community. Together, we are creating a supportive environment where healing can flourish, and no one has to face their grief alone.
Who Can Benefit From Our Program?
Our program is dedicated to offering comprehensive support to individuals and families who are experiencing the profound pain of losing a loved one. We understand grief can take many forms, and we provide a range of emotional support, valuable resources, and a nurturing community aimed at fostering healing during these difficult times.
Our outreach targets a variety of diverse groups, including:
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Adults aged18 to 65 and beyond who are navigating their own grief journeys stemming from various types of losses.
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Young adults and teenagers between the ages of 14 and 25 who are seeking alternative, non-traditional forms of grief support that resonate with their experiences.
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Parents and guardians who are mourning the heartbreaking loss of a child, providing them with the understanding and care they need. 4. Survivors of tragic or violent losses who are facing particularly complicated grief and require specialized support.
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IPOC and underrepresented communities that often lack access to essential mental health resources necessary for coping with grief.
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Individuals from low backgrounds who are in need of affordable support options to help them through their grief.
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Faith-based groups that are looking for spiritual guidance and support as they navigate their own unique grief experiences.
Meet The Founder
I welcome anyone who has ever felt burdened by grief, lost in sorrow, or unsure of how to move forward. This organization is for you. We are a family, and I hope to expand this family with every heart we touch.
You see I know what it feels like to be lost in grief, to feel like no one truly understands the weight of your pain. July 16-17, 2013, my life and my family's lives were changed forever. My beautiful niece, Samara Banks, and her three precious sons, Saa’deem, Saa’sean, and Saa’mir, were taken from us in an instant—killed by a reckless driver drag racing down Roosevelt Boulevard. It was one of the most painful losses we had ever endured, and the grief has never faded. But loss didn’t stop there. Over the years, my family has had to say goodbye to so many loved ones—my sister, my father, my aunts, uncles, my cousins. And just when I thought my heart couldn't break any further, I lost the love of my life, Christopher, to cancer.
His passing sent me into a darkness I wasn’t sure I’d ever escape from. I have battled depression many times in my life, and through it all, I have turned to God and prayer to help me find balance. While I never found a permanent church home, I have always been drawn to the spirit of church—its sense of community, love, and congregation. That sense of togetherness is what I hope to create with Masking the Pain. Helping others has always been my calling, even in my own moments of grief and sorrow and through my own healing journey I know that healing doesn’t happen alone. It happens in the embrace of others, in the stories we share, in the hands that reach out to hold us when we feel like falling.
This is not just my journey—it’s a family affair!
My daughters, LaTanaya and Clarissa, have always been by my side in every endeavor I’ve taken on. Masking the Pain is no different. They are the quiet forces working behind the scenes, helping to bring my vision to life. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their endless support and belief in me. My sister Tanya and my niece Sharena are also deeply committed to this mission, and together, we are building something that we hope will touch lives, uplift hearts, and remind people that they are never alone in their grief.
This organization is dedicated to every single soul we have lost, but especially to Samara, Saa’deem, Saa’sean, Saa’mir, and Chris. Their memory fuels this mission. Their love lives on through every person we help.
You do not have to mask your pain here. You can grieve, heal, and find joy again—on your own terms, in your own time, and in a community that understands.
With love and healing,
Meet the Team
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