Our Mission.
SoMWA (pronounced someway) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that supports thousands of siblings cope with their mothers living with HIV or living with the loss of their mother. SoMWA goal is to assure the mother that her children are supported by the community and not vulnerable to becoming AIDS orphans. SoMWA is a resource for education, scholarships, youth development, financial support, psychological and emotional support for children and families both domestic and internationally. SoMWA ensures families and children have a surplus of community support and memories of joy to last a lifetime. SoMWA gives children the resources they need to become mentally stronger and creates family events for them to enjoy together. SoMWA collaborated with other community outreach programs and foster care agencies to provide children and families with support for the challenges at home.
About the Founder.
At 23, Shacazia grappled with heartbreak after the death of her mother, who died from an AIDS related illness at the young age of 39. While processing her mothers departure, she decided to take custody of her siblings to keep her family together and save them from a life in foster care.
Determined to turn her grief into greatness, she established a successful AIDS Walk team, tagged “In Memory of Wanda,” that grew to more than 250 walkers over a 23-year period.
This soon became her passion, and she wanted to let the mothers and kids affected by HIV/AIDS know they weren’t alone and they had a place to turn to deal with challenges at home. Soon after, The SOMWA (Survivors of Mothers With AIDS) Foundation was born.
Today, the SoMWA Foundations has gained more than 400 volunteers and vigorously worked to organize community education and engagement events to raise funding to provide basic resources (clothing, food, and education).
Through her tireless effort and determination, the organization is currently underway in the construction for a Pre K - 12, SoMWA Education Center for children in Kenya.
Shacazia Brown
Founder of SoMWA- (Survivors Of Mothers With AIDS - Pronounced Someway)