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Join us in creating positive change
OUR MISSION
The mission of FOTS is to support families that have lost loved ones to violence by teaching a holistic approach to homicide grief support & awareness, anti-violence support & awareness with a focus on health & wellness after tragedy.
About FOTS Families of the Stolen
Our Story
Our Programs
Our Programs
FOTS Families of the Stolen was founded in 2012 by Buffy Bush, the sister of murder victim Jameila Hesseltine in an effort to aid other families that have been affected by the ongoing violence in our community. FOTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in community grief support, community engagement & anti-violence awar
FOTS Families of the Stolen was founded in 2012 by Buffy Bush, the sister of murder victim Jameila Hesseltine in an effort to aid other families that have been affected by the ongoing violence in our community. FOTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in community grief support, community engagement & anti-violence awareness. In a community where violence is prevalent, a common bond is shared among the remaining families of the souls that have been stolen due to the violence. F.O.T.S is dedicated to keeping the stolen alive through memories, family love & community support.
Our Programs
Our Programs
Our Programs
We offer community online homicide grief support as well as in person homicide grief support workshops every 4th Saturday. We host an annual FOTS Day of Laughter back to school events. We host annual "Gone But Not Forgotten" Cold Case Awareness Month with Omaha Police Department. We also host an annual Holiday event "Lights of Hope". We p
We offer community online homicide grief support as well as in person homicide grief support workshops every 4th Saturday. We host an annual FOTS Day of Laughter back to school events. We host annual "Gone But Not Forgotten" Cold Case Awareness Month with Omaha Police Department. We also host an annual Holiday event "Lights of Hope". We partner with Omaha Police Departments Homicide Grief Support Group. We offer limited funeral assistance through the FOTS Funeral Network
Our Impact
Our Programs
Our Impact
As FOTS Families of the Stolen, we are proud of the impact we have made in the lives of those we serve. We have helped numerous of families learn to live with pain of tragic loss and achieve their goals of healing. We as a community of one have learned to BREATHE; we as a community of one have learned to live in love & laughter of the me
As FOTS Families of the Stolen, we are proud of the impact we have made in the lives of those we serve. We have helped numerous of families learn to live with pain of tragic loss and achieve their goals of healing. We as a community of one have learned to BREATHE; we as a community of one have learned to live in love & laughter of the memory of our loved one stolen vs being lost in way they were stolen and we are committed to continuing this important work just as the violence in our community continues.
Meet our board
Buffy Bush CEO/Founder
Cheri Loud Board member
Cheri Loud Board member
Created FOTS in 2012 after the murder of her sister Jameila Hesseltine. Buffy has a Master's degree in Non-Profit Administration as well as a Bachelor's degree in Behavorial Science. Buffy's overall goal is to help anyone needing to breathe after a tragic loss.
Cheri Loud Board member
Cheri Loud Board member
Cheri Loud Board member
Cheri is a dedicated member of the FOTS team knowing all too well the pain after tragically losing her nephew Sgt. Kyle LeFlore to a senseless homicide in 2018. Cheri is a licensed CDL driver, Immanuel Communities driver as well as a Shared Living Provider.
Ms. Kristina Young
Cheri Loud Board member
Ms. Kristina Young
Kristina is a dedicated FOTS team member knowing all too well the pain of losing her only daughter Jakela Foster in 2015 to a senseless homicide. Kristina is now a retired grandmother raising Jakela's only son.
LT. Neal Bonacci
LT. Neal Bonacci
Ms. Kristina Young
Lt. Bonacci has been a FOTS supporter and team member since 2021, getting involved when the initiative "Gone But Not Forgotten" was formed. Lt. Bonacci is a 14yr veteran working actively with the Omaha Police Department to reduce the violence.
Bajah Pittman
LT. Neal Bonacci
Bajah Pittman
Bajah Pittman knowing all too well the pain after tragically losing her son Vincent Burns to senseless gun violence in January 2022. She has been a dedicated supporter of FOTS as well as the families served. Bajah is an educator with over 17 years of experience. Bajah is experienced in grant writing, fundraising, non-profit funding as well as community engagement.
Vickie Young
LT. Neal Bonacci
Bajah Pittman
As Vickie Young has supported all Family of the Stolen-FOTS initiatives for over 10 years, helping to uphold the families and raise awareness of the long-lasting effects of gun violence. She served as President of the Omaha Branch of the NAACP and 2nd Vice President of the NAACP Iowa/ Nebraska State Conference from 2008-2011. Before her
As Vickie Young has supported all Family of the Stolen-FOTS initiatives for over 10 years, helping to uphold the families and raise awareness of the long-lasting effects of gun violence. She served as President of the Omaha Branch of the NAACP and 2nd Vice President of the NAACP Iowa/ Nebraska State Conference from 2008-2011. Before her involvement with NAACP, she carried out her duties as the President of the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition, working to implement policies and laws for clean indoor air. Ms. Young also served as Food Market Coordinator for the Morning Star Baptist Church pantry ministry, serving 400 families monthly during COVID-19. Currently, Ms. Young serves as the Community Cafe Coordinator for BRIDGE Family Resource Connector Network, providing a space for families to share concerns, and identify needs, and resources. She also serves on the University of Nebraska President’s Advisory Council and is a Grief Share facilitator, supporting grieving individuals. Ms. Young has over 35 years of dedication to family engagement, public awareness, advocacy, identifying and securing funds, and youth activism. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Ms. Young is the widow of Mr. Terry L. Young, the mother of 8 children, and fondly known as Gigi to 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. d a short description.
Tracy Wright
Tracy Wright
Tracy Wright
After experiencing the loss of her son in 2012 to gun violence, Tracy felt it was very important to have a safe place for families and community members to be able to express their feelings and thoughts after the loss of their loved one to violence; she is a grief facilitator for the Omaha Police Department's Homicide Support Group. Ther
After experiencing the loss of her son in 2012 to gun violence, Tracy felt it was very important to have a safe place for families and community members to be able to express their feelings and thoughts after the loss of their loved one to violence; she is a grief facilitator for the Omaha Police Department's Homicide Support Group. There was nothing like the FOTS organization in 2012. With her enjoyment of being a part of this organization and knowing that her experiences over the past 12 years may help another family, Tracy has dedicated her life's work to giving back and has been a God given blessing to the FOTS families.
Up coming Events for 2024
Grief's Art Workshop
FOTS Day of Laughter Back to School Event
FOTS Day of Laughter Back to School Event
April 5 6p - 9p & April 6 1pm - 3pm 2024
Greif's art is a 2 day workshop that will include learning about the 7 stages of grief as well as creating 2 art projects. Registration will be Open March 5, 2024.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL CAPACITY REACHED
FOTS Day of Laughter Back to School Event
FOTS Day of Laughter Back to School Event
FOTS Day of Laughter Back to School Event
July 13th Assembly of the Saint Church 4224 N. 24th. From 1pm-4pm. 2024 is the 6th annual. This day is dedicated to bringing fun and laughter to the families and community by providing a day of games, prizes, free food and free school supplies.
Gone But Not Forgotten Community Walk
FOTS Day of Laughter Back to School Event
Gone But Not Forgotten Community Walk
August 31st 9a-1p
Registrant Check in at 8:30 am at YouTurn Located at 4344 N. 34th.
Route is 34th Paxton Blvd Bike Trail ending at Fontenelle Park located on 42nd & Paxton Blvd.
This walk will be the kick off to "Gone But Not Forgotten" Cold Case Awareness Month. This walk will feature stories of loved ones stolen along the path as well as community resource vendors and community partner.
Lighs of Hope
Grief's Art Workshops 2025
Gone But Not Forgotten Community Walk
December 7, 2024. Assembly of the Saints Church, 4224 N.24th. 1p-4p.
2024 is the 9th annual holiday event. where families come together to create holiday ornaments of their loved ones stolen as well as share a holiday meal with other families.
Grief's Art Workshops 2025
Grief's Art Workshops 2025
Grief's Art Workshops 2025
Please join us EVERY 4TH SATURDAY at the Assembly of the Saints Church for Grief's Art workshops beginning in January!! These workshops will teach you to create art expressing your pain, your hope and your healing journey through homicide grief. Our hope is to be able to see that through the pain, we do still have beauty within and around us. Workshops are free and art supplies are provided. SEATING IS LIMITED SO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please register at... https://form.jotform.com/243194625395161
Online Donations
All contributions are welcomed and appreciated and will aid in the ongoing efforts bring community engagement and grief support to a community in pain.