The mother of fallen Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston has launched a GoFundMe page to establish a community center for young people. Dionne Mhoon, who created the campaign, says the fundraising effort is “a call for Action.”
“It is now with heavy hearts that we seek support to uphold the legacy of Aréanah Preston by establishing a community center that will provide a safe place and support for Chicago’s youth,” states the GoFundMe page.
The community center aims to offer mental health consultations and promote law enforcement careers. It will also provide college tours, GED courses, gun violence prevention activities, scholarships and mentorship programs for underserved youth.
The GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $7,000 since it was launched on Wednesday, a week after Preston was laid to rest. The fundraising goal is $150,000.
The planned community center will be located in the area where the family lives, Chicago’s fifth ward.
It will also honor a young woman who had a bright future ahead of her.
Preston, who worked out of the 5th Police District for three years, was shot and killed after returning home from work earlier this month. Police have arrested four teens in connection with her murder.
Preston was supposed to graduate with her Masters of Jurisprudence from Loyola University Chicago on May 13. Moreover, she was set to join the Federal Bureau of Investigations after taking the exam.