This time last year, Delores Bailey, a Chicago native and mother of four boys, said goodbye to her twin sons, Demario and Demacio, not knowing that this would be the last time she saw both of them alive.

Demario Bailey, 15, was walking his brother to basketball practice around noon one Saturday when he and his brother were approached by four men under a viaduct close to their school. The unsuspecting boys, had only recently been aloud to travel without supervision through Englewood, one of the toughest neighborhoods in south Chicago, when they were jumped and robbed.

A struggle ensued and Demario, coming to the aid of his younger brother of five minutes was shot in the chest.

He was later pronounced dead on the scene. Seventeen year old Carlos Johnson was later arrested and charged with first degree murder. This, however, was not enough restitution for Delores who decided to dedicate what little free time she had left to making the streets of Chicago a little safer for children.

Bailey started a nonprofit shuttle service that she herself operates on Saturdays setting up activities and offering a shuttle service to and from these activities for children whose only other way of getting there would be to walk. Delores is determined to make sure that no other family has to endure the pain that she felt after her son was killed.

In addition to Demario Bailey, over 500 people were killed in the city of Chicago in 2015, including seven year old Amari Brown.

This second story of tragedy rang a cord for Delores Bailey and soon after she bought a van and started her free service, Get Us Home, in honor of her son and young Amari Brown.

Bailey is determined to keep the memory of her son alive by loving all of the children that she drives on Saturday afternoons the same way she loves all of her children. Bailey believes that the best way to continue to the legacy of Demario is by doing what she can to reduce the violence on the streets of Chicago. Delores Bailey needs help to keep her selfless operation going.

If you would like to donate gift cards or gas cards to Get Us Home, please send them to the following address:

Johnson College Prep C/O Delores Bailey6350 S. Stewart Avenue Chicago, IL 60621

Content contributed by:

Baer, Stefanie. Geiger, Kim. Sobal, Rosemary. “1 charged in killing of Demario Bailey, 15, who tried to save twin brother from robbers” The Chicago Tribune.

Belisomo, Randi. “Get Us Home: Mother of son killed in shooting makes sure other kids are safe” WGNtv.com