Juice WRLD‘s mother Carmela Wallace announced on Wednesday (April 22) the Live Free 999 Fund, established to honor the legacy of her late son by helping and supporting struggling youth.
The fund established by Wallace will receive additional support Grade A and Interscope Records, and will strive to launch programs that compassionately and lovingly address addiction, anxiety and depression; normalize the conversation around these issues, especially in underserved communities; and create programs that help people find positive avenues to process their mental health challenges just like the beloved rapper did with his music.
The heartfelt fund comes less than five months since Juice WRLD (real name Jarad Higgins) died at the age of 21 due to an accidental overdose.
“Young people around the world were truly touched by Jarad’s music because he spoke to issues and situations in his music that resonated with them so deeply,” Wallace said in a press statement. “I was aware of his struggles with addiction, anxiety, and depression; we had many conversations about his challenges with these issues. I know he truly wanted to be free from the demons that tormented him. I made the decision upon his death that I was going to share his struggles with the world with the objective of helping others. It is my desire to help those who are hurting by providing access to education, prevention and treatment for opioid and other forms of drug addiction. It is my hope that Live Free 999 will help people just as Jarad’s music has and will continue to touch lives for years to come.”
Find more information about the Live Free 999 Fund here.
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