Honoring Our Loved Ones One Beat At A Time
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. MADMOMS
Honoring the Legacy of Ja’Maar “5ive” Johnson
Honoring Our Loved Ones One Beat At A Time
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. MADMOMS
Honoring the Legacy of Ja’Maar “5ive” Johnson
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. MADMOMS
Honoring the Legacy of Ja’Maar “5ive” Johnson
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. MADMOMS
Honoring the Legacy of Ja’Maar “5ive” Johnson
Mothers Against Drugs Inc. (MADMOMS) is a survivor-led movement dedicated to empowering mothers and families affected by substance use disorders. Founded by a woman of color with 22 years of personal recovery after losing her son to addiction, MADMOMS unites voices to champion recovery and advocate for transformative change. Our “Engaging the Community for Change” model promotes healthy lifestyles through creative outlets such as holistic healing, music, personal storytelling, and performance. Together, we build collaborative partnerships to ensure a sustainable approach to recovery, instilling hope and resilience in our communities.
Review our programs and services to learn how you can get involved and find support.
Our mission at MADMOMS Read to Achieve for Drug Free Communities, in partnership with Boston Public Libraries is to educate and empower children through literature about substance use awareness. By providing valuable information through books, we aim to help children make informed decisions, resist peer pressure, and recognize warning signs of addiction and substance use disorder. Through prevention efforts, we strive to support children in avoiding harmful patterns of drug and alcohol use and promoting a drug-free community.
The "Engaging Communities for Change" model is designed to educate and empower communities about substance use disorders in an enjoyable and interactive way. This approach integrates fun, creative activities with educational content to foster understanding, reduce stigma, and promote healthier choices.
This photograph marks the beginning of my new journey, a forever reality embraced in quiet grace. Here lies "THE GROVE," my son’s resting place, where memories linger and love finds its voice. His physical form rests beneath the earth, yet his spirit soars free, fierce, and everlasting, circling above me, wrapping around my heart, a gentle whisper, “Mom,” echoing in the silence.
I find myself grappling with a heavy heart, haunted by the shadows of his silent battle. As a mother, fiercely protective, I wish I could shield him from a world unkind to those who bear this burden. Though he did not succumb to the dark depths of overdose, he fought valiantly against an illness that sought to consume him, navigating a life entangled in incarceration's grip, until that fateful day when the streets claimed him.
Together, we stand within a community stigmatized by the weight of mental health and substance use, voices hushed, stories hidden beneath layers of shame, particularly in the rich tapestry of our communities of color. But here, in this sacred space, let us find strength to share our truths, to honor our loved ones, to rise above the stigma that seeks to silence, and create a chorus of healing, love, and remembrance.
As I stand in “THE GROVE,” I choose to embrace the memories, the pain, the love that remains, for in his spirit, I find a path to resilience, a journey toward healing that begins with our stories.
"5ive," born Ja’Maar D. Johnson, was his mother’s beloved only son. With a strong presence, he had a range of nicknames that reflected his dynamic personality. He’d often say, “You can call me Flyboy 5ive, The Kid, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Jay, or just 5ive. But if you don’t know me, it’s Mr. Ja'Maar Johnson to you.” Ja'Maar had a deep passion for music, expressing himself through writing songs and rapping. He also enjoyed drawing and was athletic, playing both football and lacrosse. His favorite color was red, and he aspired to be a rap star or a football player, driven by a desire to make his family proud.
With a captivating smile and a strong character, Ja'Maar was a young man filled with potential. However, in October 2009, tragedy struck when he became a victim of community violence, suffering a gunshot wound to his neck. Due to the bullet's precarious location, the surgeons had to leave it in, which set the stage for Ja'Maar’s struggle with opioids, as he became dependent on the pain medication prescribed to him.
If you would like your child or someone you love that have been taken by a substance use related death, homicide, suicide, or accidents, added to our Virtual Hearts Memorial, please email a photo, their name, both dates and manner of transition to: Janice@mothersagainstdrugs5.org
Community Events
Robert’s Playground 55 Dundar Ave. Dorchester, MA 02124
Join us for a beautiful day filled with love, reflection, and healing. Participants are encouraged to bring LED candles and a chair to creat...
Robert’s Playground 55 Dundar Ave. Dorchester, MA 02124
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