COURAGE :
Letter from The Founder
Sarah Akiba
24
My name is Sarah Akiba , and I am the founder of Angel Watching Over Me , a foundation that supports those who have lost people they love by celebrating their stories . When I was about 7 years old , I used to tell my father , " One day , I want to build a big hotel with the most beautiful beds and sheets and couches just like the ones in our home for people who don ' t have those things ." And though it may have sounded like a childish fantasy , it didn ' t seem crazy to him . Right there , he had me take a vow to follow through with my dream . He even had me sign a paper napkin to seal the deal . Three years ago , I lost my father , Charlie Akiba , to cancer . He was a truly exceptional man – a man who taught me that God , family , and kindness are a way of life . He is my angel . When I lost my dad , things changed . I ’ d been working in fashion as a wardrobe stylist and designer for a few years , but I felt I had to do more . I started by creating the hashtag # angelwatchingoverme . It helped me tell my story . It wasn ’ t long before people began to use # angelwatchingoverme to tell their stories through social media as well . It was awe-inspiring to discover how many people were persevering in the face of the same kinds of feelings of loss I was experiencing . After the incredible response to the hashtag , I realized that # angelwatchingoverme could be the start of something great . I designed a logo and a hat based on the concept . That night , I had a revelation that the idea of Angel Watching Over Me was bigger than just a hat . It needed to be for the greater good . I planned an event where I could sell the hats and donate all the proceeds to cancer research in my father ’ s memory . I anticipated that about 60 people would show up . To my surprise , 300 people ended up coming out to support the cause , each purchasing a hat at the entrance . We raised around $ 2000 that night for the American Lung Association and the Bonnie J . Addario Lung Association . I was thrilled . It felt good to donate to cancer research , but I still felt I could do more . I wanted to personally ensure that the money I raised was being used to make the biggest impact possible for the people who needed it most . With that goal in mind , I created the Angel Watching Over Me Foundation on January 7th , 2016 . Thus far , it has been an amazing experience . Over the past year , Angel Watching Over Me has hosted two Halloween parties at Joe Dimmagio Children ’ s Hospital and Nicklaus Children ’ s Hospital in South Florida , held a toy drive for underprivileged children with the Miami Rescue Mission , and have hosted free , bi-weekly support groups for people who have lost loved ones . I have attended every one of those meetings , and it has been beautiful to watch more and more people show up to share their stories and gain strength from those who have experienced loss too .
Recently , Leah Karimdadian joined Angel Watching Over Me as a partner , and together we dream of creating safe houses where we can continue to hold support groups while offering housing to people who need it . The " hotel " that my father made me vow to create is not such a farfetched dream anymore . Through Angel Watching Over Me , I have had the joy of turning the loss of my father into the triumph of working to make the world a better place . I hope to share that joy with others . We did not come into this world alone , so we cannot live alone either . We all have angels . And even though some are no longer with us , some are right here . Remember , not all angels have wings .
The AWOM Journal is an extension of our mission . We gathered several strong individuals from our community in South Florida to tell their stories and offer hope to people who are fighting battles of their own .
I ’ d like to give a special thanks to everyone involved in Angel Watching Over Me :
To our interviewees , thank you for sharing your stories with us .
To my mother , Francine Akiba , for being my Angel on Earth and someone I look up to everyday .
To my brothers , who protect me , and their wives and children who I love dearly .
To all of my extended family for all of the support . To Marco Bartocci for picking me up the day I fell .
To Chris , my right-hand man , who has helped make this all possible .
To my photographer , Sean McCabe , for taking photos with feeling .
To Peter Eliason for putting this journal together with me and being very patient with my vision .
To Matthew Hershoff , our editor in chief , and my long-time friend .
To my friends for always supporting me .
To you for making a difference in the world . Everything we do is made possible through your support .
And finally , to my father , Charlie Akiba , for teaching me courage . Without that , I would not be who I am today .