REAL MOMS OF THE METRO
JESSICA GANTHER WITH HER SON MICHAEL JR. PHOTO BY HUNTER CONOVER PHOTOGRAPHY.
WINNER Jessica Ganther Jessica Ganther calls her 2-year-old son Michael Jr. her reason. He’s the reason she gets up every day and the reason she’s fought through unimaginable tragedy to keep moving forward. Ganther’s partner, Michael, was killed just days after their son turned 1, and Ganther said Michael died doing what he loved — caring for others. Michael worked for a boys group home and was trying to help resolve a dispute by visiting one of the parent’s homes when he was shot as he sat in his truck to leave. “He had a passion for working with youth, especially troubled youth, and he wanted to open his own boys home,” said Ganther. In the 18 months since that unfathomable day, Ganther has sought to honor Michael by carrying on his legacy. She started the Michael Young Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, which provides scholarships, hosts a free basketball camp for youth and puts on a free Halloween carnival for families. “It embodies who Michael was and everything he loved,” said Ganther. “We want to give back to underprivileged kids because they are our future. We want to be a positive light, not just to kids but to families who have lost a parent or a family who may not have the means to do fun activities.”
More than 60 metro moms were nominated for our annual Awesome Moms contest, and we are inspired by the stories of each and every one. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Jessica Ganther, and our two finalists, Staci Howard and Gloria Palacios. Also, read about 10 metro moms receiving honorable mention in these pages, and celebrate the stories of all of our nominees at metrofamilymagazine.com/2021- awesome-moms. Thank you to our Awesome Moms prize sponsors: Wyndham Grand Hotel, The Spa at 10 North, udander, The Black Scintilla, Neighborhood JAM, Redrock Canyon Grill, Hefner Grill, Upper Crust Wood Fired Pizza and Painted Door Gift Boutique.
BY ERIN PAGE .
28 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAY-JUNE 2021
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