Meet Heather Dearman | CEO 7/20 Memorial Foundation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Dearman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The 7/20 Memorial foundation is one of many non-profit grass roots organizations created after mass tragedy. Many people are unaware of the long-term trauma that affects those who have been both directly and indirectly impacted by that event.  Support and funds are abundant during the first year, but the ongoing physical and mental health challenges for those affcted by a mass shooting go on in perpetuity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a part of the healing for our community by paying forward the love and support to others who have experienced similar trauma, has been life changing. In 2018, we were blessed to dedicate our permanent memorial “Ascentiate”, created by artist Douwe Blumberg. He was inspired by the “1000 Cranes for Aurora” sent by Nate Williams of O’Fallon Missouri who asked his community to write notes of encouragement and fold a crane to send to us. Our memorial also represents the Aurora Community and all affected, as each of the cranes contain a canister filled with personal notes from loved one’s families, friends, first responders and the community. We are embracing the symbolism of the origami crane and our goal is to continue to gather thousands of cranes folded with good intention to be a visual display of the amount of never-ending love and compassion that is abundant in this world. We have been collecting paper cranes with notes of love from others to place on wreaths. These wreaths are sent to other communities who have experienced similar tragedy. Though we have sent many wreaths filled with cranes throughout the years, they have always been replenished and there is always enough love to go around. We also connect with other like minded organization to share best practices and support one another.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The city of Aurora has always been my home and my heart. It is unfortunate that our city was in the spotlight for such a horrific event I would be so excited to take my best friend to meet all of the wonderful people who support our foundation. Resolute Brewery is just one of the establishments who generously pours at our annual beer fest. Many of it’s employees are alumni of Columbine High School and they have a special connection with us. “The Rebels Project” is an online peer support group for those affected by mass tragedy. It was created by columbine survivors after the Aurora theater shooting, because they knew that we would need support. Launch Pad brewery is also one of our favorites. They are near Buckley Air Force base and their brewery has shout outs to our military families. A few of the victims of the theater shooting worked at Buckley. I would also be sure to visit the memorial garden and share the story of how it came to be.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our memorial would not have been realized if it were not for the love of our community and beyond. The heart behind the giving of dollars at our various community fundraisers have definitely given a hopeful energy to “Ascentiate”, the art piece that is our memorial. Having the experience of sharing our story and being vulnerable with others at these events created a circle of healing that is ongoing. As we pivot toward reaching out to other communities impacted by similar tragedy and advocating toward the long term healing of survivors, the love continues. We have witnessed the human spirit and connectedness that proves there is more love in the world than hate.

Website: 7-20memorial.org

Instagram: @720memorialfoundation

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-dearman-1293685b/

Twitter: @720garden

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/720memorialfoundation