Turning Pain Into Purpose

Purple For A Purpose was founded after our family experienced the heartbreaking loss of a loved one to Alzheimer’s at a young age. What began as grief became a mission to help other families facing similar battles.

family caring for loved one with Alzheimer’s

Our Family Story

Life Before Alzheimer’s
Before Alzheimer’s entered our lives, Syvilla was the heart of our family—a loving wife, devoted mother, compassionate friend, and faithful supporter of ministry and family life. Her warmth, strength, and kindness touched everyone around her, and her love helped build the foundation of the life we shared together.

She brought joy into everyday moments, cared deeply for her children and family, and stood faithfully beside us through life’s victories and challenges. From family gatherings to ministry work and quiet moments at home, her presence brought comfort, laughter, and stability to those she loved most.

The memories we created together remain a treasured part of our story and continue to inspire the mission behind Purple For A Purpose today.

“Her love and strength continue to inspire everything we do.”

Our Journey

The First Signs
At first, the changes seemed small—easy to explain away in the busyness of everyday life. There were moments of forgetfulness, repeated questions, misplaced items, and little things that simply did not seem like cause for alarm. Like many families facing Alzheimer’s, we hoped it was stress, exhaustion, or simply a difficult season.

But over time, those small moments slowly became more noticeable. Conversations became harder to follow. Familiar routines began to change. There were moments of confusion that were impossible to ignore, and deep in our hearts, we knew something was not right. Watching someone you love begin to struggle with memory and daily life is a heartbreaking experience that words can hardly describe.

As a family, we tried to stay strong while searching for answers. Doctor visits, questions, uncertainty, and fear became part of our daily reality. We quickly realized that Alzheimer’s disease does not only affect one person—it impacts an entire family emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Those early moments marked the beginning of a journey that would change our lives forever. Yet even during the uncertainty, our family became more determined to stand together, support one another, and walk through every challenge side by side.

“Sometimes the hardest battles begin with the smallest changes.”

family beginning Alzheimer’s caregiving journey
family beginning Alzheimer’s caregiving journey

Our Journey

The First Signs
At first, the changes seemed small—easy to explain away in the busyness of everyday life. There were moments of forgetfulness, repeated questions, misplaced items, and little things that simply did not seem like cause for alarm. Like many families facing Alzheimer’s, we hoped it was stress, exhaustion, or simply a difficult season.

But over time, those small moments slowly became more noticeable. Conversations became harder to follow. Familiar routines began to change. There were moments of confusion that were impossible to ignore, and deep in our hearts, we knew something was not right. Watching someone you love begin to struggle with memory and daily life is a heartbreaking experience that words can hardly describe.

As a family, we tried to stay strong while searching for answers. Doctor visits, questions, uncertainty, and fear became part of our daily reality. We quickly realized that Alzheimer’s disease does not only affect one person—it impacts an entire family emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Those early moments marked the beginning of a journey that would change our lives forever. Yet even during the uncertainty, our family became more determined to stand together, support one another, and walk through every challenge side by side.

“Sometimes the hardest battles begin with the smallest changes.”

family caregiving during Alzheimer’s journey

Standing Together

The Family Fight Together
As Alzheimer’s progressed, our family quickly realized this was not a battle one person could fight alone. Daily life began to change in ways we never expected, and every member of our family stepped into the role of caregiver with love, sacrifice, and determination.

There were long days filled with uncertainty, emotional exhaustion, difficult decisions, and moments that tested our strength in ways we had never experienced before. Simple routines became challenging, and the responsibilities of caregiving touched every part of our lives. Yet through every difficult season, our children stood together with compassion and unwavering support for their mother.

What made this journey especially powerful was the love that carried us through it. Even in heartbreaking moments, we learned the importance of patience, unity, and simply being present for one another. Some days were filled with tears and exhaustion, while other days were filled with quiet moments of laughter, memories, and reminders of the bond we shared as a family.

Our faith also became an anchor during the storm. In moments when answers were hard to find and the future felt uncertain, prayer, faith, and family helped sustain us through the journey. We learned that perseverance is not always loud or dramatic—sometimes it is simply showing up every day with love, strength, and hope even when the road is difficult.

Although Alzheimer’s changed many things, it also revealed the depth of our family’s love for one another. The experience strengthened our commitment to stand together, care for one another, and eventually help other families facing similar battles through Purple For A Purpose.

“A family united by love can find strength even in life’s hardest battles.”

A Day That Changed Everything

March 18, 2020 at 8:30 A.M.
There are some dates that forever divide life into “before” and “after.” For our family, March 18, 2020 became one of those days.

After a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer’s disease, we faced the heartbreaking reality of saying goodbye to a beloved wife, mother, and the heart of our family. No amount of preparation could truly prepare us for the pain of that moment. Alzheimer’s had slowly taken so much over time, but nothing compares to the silence and emptiness that followed her passing.

The emotional impact reached every part of our lives. Our home felt different. Everyday routines changed overnight. The woman whose love, strength, and presence helped hold our family together was no longer physically with us, and the weight of that loss was overwhelming. Grief arrived in waves—sometimes quietly, sometimes all at once—and each member of our family carried that pain in deeply personal ways.

Yet even in one of the darkest moments of our lives, we also witnessed something powerful: love remained. The memories we shared, the lessons she taught us, the sacrifices she made for our family, and the bond we built together could not be erased by Alzheimer’s disease. Her life continued to leave an imprint on our hearts long after her passing.

As we walked through the pain together, we began to realize that our story could become more than our grief. We knew there were countless other families facing the same heartbreak, confusion, exhaustion, and loss that we had experienced. What began as sorrow slowly became a desire to bring awareness, support, and hope to others walking this same difficult road.

March 18, 2020 will always carry deep sorrow for our family—but it also became the turning point that gave birth to a greater purpose. Out of loss came a mission to help families feel seen, supported, and never alone in their fight against Alzheimer’s.

“Although Alzheimer’s changed our lives forever, love continued to speak louder than the disease.”

family grieving loss from Alzheimer’s disease
family grieving loss from Alzheimer’s disease

A Day That Changed Everything

March 18, 2020 at 8:30 A.M.
There are some dates that forever divide life into “before” and “after.” For our family, March 18, 2020 became one of those days.

After a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer’s disease, we faced the heartbreaking reality of saying goodbye to a beloved wife, mother, and the heart of our family. No amount of preparation could truly prepare us for the pain of that moment. Alzheimer’s had slowly taken so much over time, but nothing compares to the silence and emptiness that followed her passing.

The emotional impact reached every part of our lives. Our home felt different. Everyday routines changed overnight. The woman whose love, strength, and presence helped hold our family together was no longer physically with us, and the weight of that loss was overwhelming. Grief arrived in waves—sometimes quietly, sometimes all at once—and each member of our family carried that pain in deeply personal ways.

Yet even in one of the darkest moments of our lives, we also witnessed something powerful: love remained. The memories we shared, the lessons she taught us, the sacrifices she made for our family, and the bond we built together could not be erased by Alzheimer’s disease. Her life continued to leave an imprint on our hearts long after her passing.

As we walked through the pain together, we began to realize that our story could become more than our grief. We knew there were countless other families facing the same heartbreak, confusion, exhaustion, and loss that we had experienced. What began as sorrow slowly became a desire to bring awareness, support, and hope to others walking this same difficult road.

March 18, 2020 will always carry deep sorrow for our family—but it also became the turning point that gave birth to a greater purpose. Out of loss came a mission to help families feel seen, supported, and never alone in their fight against Alzheimer’s.

“Although Alzheimer’s changed our lives forever, love continued to speak louder than the disease.”

founder ceo latretha c howard

Turning Pain Into Purpose

The Birth of Purple For A Purpose
After walking through the heartbreaking journey of Alzheimer’s disease as a family, our daughter made a life-changing decision: she refused to allow her mother’s story to end with loss alone.

What our family experienced during those difficult years revealed just how many families are silently struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia without enough support, education, awareness, or encouragement. The emotional toll of caregiving, the pain of watching a loved one slowly change, and the overwhelming feeling of helplessness left a permanent impact on our hearts. But in the middle of that pain, a new purpose began to grow.

Driven by love for her mother and compassion for families facing similar battles, our daughter founded Purple For A Purpose, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, supporting caregivers, educating communities, and bringing hope to families affected by dementia.

What makes this mission so personal is that it was born from lived experience. This is not simply an organization created from statistics or research alone—it was built from hospital visits, caregiving moments, sleepless nights, prayers, tears, sacrifice, and a family fighting together through one of life’s hardest journeys.

Purple For A Purpose became more than a nonprofit. It became a way to honor a beloved mother’s legacy while helping other families feel seen, supported, and understood. Every awareness event, every outreach effort, every educational resource, and every conversation about Alzheimer’s now carries a deeper purpose rooted in love, remembrance, and hope.

Today, Purple For A Purpose stands as a reminder that even in life’s most painful moments, purpose can still rise. Through advocacy, awareness, caregiver support, and community outreach, our mission is to make sure no family facing Alzheimer’s ever feels alone in their fight.

“What began as heartbreak became a mission to bring hope to other families.”

Moving Forward With Purpose

Our Mission Today
Today, Purple For A Purpose exists to help families facing Alzheimer’s disease feel supported, informed, and never alone in their journey.

What began as our family’s personal fight has grown into a mission dedicated to raising awareness for early-onset Alzheimer’s, supporting caregivers, educating communities, and bringing hope to families navigating the emotional challenges of dementia. We understand firsthand the fear, exhaustion, uncertainty, and heartbreak that Alzheimer’s can bring into a home, which is why our mission is deeply personal to us.

Through awareness campaigns, educational outreach, community events, caregiver support initiatives, fundraising efforts, and advocacy, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Our goal is not only to increase awareness, but also to create a compassionate community where families can find encouragement, resources, and hope during difficult seasons.

We believe no family should have to walk this journey without support. Every conversation we start, every event we organize, every resource we provide, and every life we touch is part of a greater mission to honor the legacy that inspired Purple For A Purpose in the first place.

As we continue to grow, our vision remains clear: to expand Alzheimer’s awareness, strengthen caregiver support, and help more families feel seen, heard, and supported through one of life’s most difficult battles

“Our story became our mission, and our mission is helping families find hope through the fight against Alzheimer’s.”

Purple For A Purpose helping families affected by Alzheimer’s
Purple For A Purpose helping families affected by Alzheimer’s

Moving Forward With Purpose

Our Mission Today
Today, Purple For A Purpose exists to help families facing Alzheimer’s disease feel supported, informed, and never alone in their journey.

What began as our family’s personal fight has grown into a mission dedicated to raising awareness for early-onset Alzheimer’s, supporting caregivers, educating communities, and bringing hope to families navigating the emotional challenges of dementia. We understand firsthand the fear, exhaustion, uncertainty, and heartbreak that Alzheimer’s can bring into a home, which is why our mission is deeply personal to us.

Through awareness campaigns, educational outreach, community events, caregiver support initiatives, fundraising efforts, and advocacy, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Our goal is not only to increase awareness, but also to create a compassionate community where families can find encouragement, resources, and hope during difficult seasons.

We believe no family should have to walk this journey without support. Every conversation we start, every event we organize, every resource we provide, and every life we touch is part of a greater mission to honor the legacy that inspired Purple For A Purpose in the first place.

As we continue to grow, our vision remains clear: to expand Alzheimer’s awareness, strengthen caregiver support, and help more families feel seen, heard, and supported through one of life’s most difficult battles

“Our story became our mission, and our mission is helping families find hope through the fight against Alzheimer’s.”

Join Our Mission

Help Us Bring Hope To Families Facing Alzheimer’s

Every family facing Alzheimer’s deserves support, compassion, education, and hope. Through Purple For A Purpose, we are working to raise awareness, strengthen caregiver support, and help families know they are not alone in their fight.

Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, share your story, or help spread awareness, your support helps us continue this mission and honor the legacy that inspired it.

Together, we can turn pain into purpose and bring hope to families facing one of life’s most difficult journeys.

“No family should ever feel alone in the fight against Alzheimer’s.”

Who we are

We are a community of advocates, caregivers, and change-makers who believe every act of support can bring hope to families facing Alzheimer’s and create a brighter future through awareness and education.

Purple For A Purpose was founded after our family experienced the devastating impact of early-onset Alzheimer’s firsthand. After losing a beloved wife and mother to Alzheimer’s on March 18, 2020, our family turned pain into purpose by creating a nonprofit dedicated to awareness, education, and family support.

Today, we are committed to helping families affected by Alzheimer’s through community outreach, caregiver support, educational resources, and awareness initiatives that bring hope to those facing this difficult journey.

Our Mission to Support Families Facing Alzheimer’s

Our Mission
Our mission is to ensure that families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease have access to the support, education, and resources they need—when they need them most.

Whether it’s raising awareness about early-onset Alzheimer’s, providing caregiver support, offering educational resources, creating community outreach programs, or simply reminding families that they are not alone, Purple For A Purpose is committed to meeting people where they are with compassion, hope, and practical support.

Through advocacy, fundraising efforts, and community engagement, we are working to create a future where families facing Alzheimer’s feel empowered, informed, and supported throughout their journey.

Our Vision
We envision a future where no family facing Alzheimer’s feels alone, unsupported, or unprepared for the challenges that come with dementia.

Purple For A Purpose is committed to expanding awareness of early-onset Alzheimer’s, increasing access to caregiver support, and providing educational resources to help families navigate this journey with greater confidence and hope.

Our long-term vision is to expand our outreach efforts through awareness campaigns, community partnerships, educational programs, fundraising initiatives, and family support services that reach families in every community who need help.

We believe every family impacted by Alzheimer’s deserves compassion, resources, and a support system they can rely on during one of life’s most difficult seasons.

Our Partners

Our numbers that speak

We have numbers that push us to give in our best and make sure that we break our own records. We are happy to be growing and helping more day by day.
Members Worldwide
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Funds Raised
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