A garden is planned in honor of one of the youngest victims of gun violence in our city.
Nine-year-old Za'Layia Jenkins was killed while watching television inside a family member's home near 15th and Meinecke. Now her aunt, Ramona Boone, wants something beautiful to replace the memory of the violence that took the young girl’s life.
Her family is doing something to overshadow the tragedy that happened at the house in this neighborhood.
A space across the street from the home will soon transform into "Za'Layia's Legacy Garden,” including purple flowers — her favorite color. The project is in collaboration with Peace Garden Project Milwaukee.
It will be a place for her family and the community to heal.
"Someone died in order for this to be here. She is missed each and every day. You cannot imagine a family’s pain dealing with the loss of a young life," Boone said.
Za'Layia's mom, Destiny Boone, says the garden will be a place she can got to in order to stay close to her young daughter.
“It brings comfort, you know. So that Za'layia can live forever,” Destiny Boone said.
As the plans come together for the garden, donations are already coming in. A place of peace for a little girl who was robbed of the chance to grow up.
Groundbreaking for the garden is next month. Everyone will be invited to help plant flowers and get the garden started.
Donations are being accepted on a GoFundMe page, or by contacting Ramona Boone at rboone3382@gmail.com.
Nobody has been arrested in connection with Za'layia’s shooting.
