A grieving mother now gives art therapy supplies to local youth crisis center in memory of her son

TULSA, Okla. — Yonna Creason is a mother who lost her son, Gavin in May two years ago.

“We lost Gavin in 2020,” said Creason. “And he was our baby, our youngest son. I think as a grieving mother, I just really, I don’t think as a parent you ever stop wanting to parent. It’s been hard and I think when you lose a child, there’s nothing like it.”

Creason found the CALM Center after the passing of her son. It’s a 7-day inpatient facility that provides a safe environment for young people who need a break from the stresses of family and their lives and to find a sense of peace. The CALM Center program has been open for over a decade and also provides mental health and medical resources.

“I know that this is a place where teenagers can come, youth, 11 to 17 and that they can come when they’re having some emotional difficulties and really take a pause and gather some perspective on their behavioral issues that they’re having,” said Creason.

The CALM Center is the only youth crisis stabilization center in NE Oklahoma and Creason believes the program could have helped her son.

“I started coordinating two years ago. And they had an art supply need for the art therapy department. I just decided that this was the place I wanted to try to support. This was what Gavin was passionate about. We focused on art therapy because my son was passionate about art,” said Creason. “I knew I could help the kids, kids in the same age range that my child was. I really decided that was a way that we could be involved and help. I can’t help my kid, but I can help someone else’s.”

Gavin was an artist and created his own comic book when he was younger.

Giving back has helped bring purpose to Creason’s life now.

“I miss everything about my son. And I mostly just miss his sense of humor. And he was brave and adventurous. He’s just everything. When I think about what I miss about him, it’s usually everything. But I mostly miss just his braveness and his sense of adventure. And his humor. I love talking about him, but I just can’t do it without crying,” said Creason. “We had to find something to bring meaning to something that was very tragic.”

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Gavin and his mom.