Children, teen who lost mothers to domestic violence honored at Newport News brunch

May 14--Hampton High School senior Keyshaun Howard has a 3.9 GPA, and has been accepted to nine universities including Virginia Tech and James Madison.

What you wouldn't know from looking at his GPA or college acceptance letters is that he lost his mother, Angelina Williams, to domestic violence when he was 16.

Howard and six others whose mothers died in domestic violence incidents were honored Saturday morning in Newport News at the Marriott at City Center with a "Heart of Courage," award. The remembrance brunch was hosted by the nonprofit Transitions Family Violence Services, which offers free services to victims and families experiencing domestic violence in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson and York County.

Howard, who plans to major in business after high school andhas persevered despite the tragedy, said having a community of friends and family has helped him cope.

"It's like my aunt told me, 'It hasn't gotten better, but it's gotten bearable,'" he said.

Howard accepted a bouquet of flowers in his late mother's name at Saturday's event.

"I was a little nervous, but I realized we're all here for the same purpose -- to raise awareness for domestic violence," Howard said. "That's a good cause. That's why I'm happy to be here."

Ja'Saun Langley, 6, and his brothers Jamir, 5, Jakhai, 5, and Jayce, 4, were also given "Heart of Courage" awards; their mother, Naisha Singleton, was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in Newport News last June.

Menhi Ferbee, 5, and Da'Sone Brinson, 10, also received the award. Their mother, DaShanika Sherrod, was shot to death in her Newport News apartment in January of last year. Police arrested a Newport News man who they believe she was previously in a relationship with.

Transitions provides a 24-hour hotline, support groups, short-term shelters for victims, case management and employment assistance to victims. It also offers assessments, art therapy, case management and tutoring for kids, and communicates with local schools to make them aware of the group and provide education to children who have witnessed abuse or been abused themselves.

The Next Step Shelter is a transitional housing program for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and have lived in the organization's emergency...

Transitions Family Violence Services will support its Next Step Shelter with a recent donation from the Daily Press-Ferguson Holiday Fund.

The Next Step Shelter is a transitional housing program for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and have lived in the organization's emergency...

About 110 people attended the brunch Saturday, including Hampton School Board Vice Chair Ann Cherry. Transitions addresses an important aspect of domestic violence, Cherry said.

"Sometimes, when we talk about domestic violence, and in our heads, we're only thinking of adults," Cherry said. "Sometimes we forget that the biggest victims in all of this are children."

Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Anton Bell addressed the crowd, and encouraged anyone who knows of people being abused to speak up. The concept of "what happens at home, stays at home," and the taboo of coming forward to report on neighbors, friends or acquaintances inciting domestic violence, needs to end, he said.

"I want to empower you to stop the silence," Bell said. "Don't let that taboo continue in our community, because so many lives hang in the balance. Let's make sure we end it, one child at a time. Let's make sure our voices count."

Transitions' 24-hour emergency hotline can be reached at 757-723-7774. Those interested in donating time or money to Transitions, can find more information here.

Smith can be reached by phone at 757-510-1663.

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