LI mom turns grief into hope with new children's book & scholarship
Instead of letting grief define her, Sharon Richmond became her son Vincent’s voice.
Sharon Richmond knows the pain of losing a child all too well.
In September 2017, her son, Vincent D’Antoni-Richmond, died from a fentanyl overdose at a time when the drug was just beginning to devastate communities.
Richmond says her son was a kind, protective young man who stood up for others, loved the environment and dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but struggles with anxiety, ADHD and peer influences led him down a path that ended tragically.
Instead of letting grief define her, Richmond became Vincent’s voice.
She serves on multiple task forces, advocates in Albany for better mental health and addiction treatment parity and fights to treat substance use disorder like any other disease.
Last week, she released her debut children’s book, "Finding Your North Star."
Inspired by Vincent’s real-life move from Battery Park to Long Island and his challenges fitting in, the story follows a boy who feels lost until his loyal dog Compass and neighborhood animals — including an osprey named Eli — help him rediscover his inner strength and passion for protecting the environment.
The book changes the ending to one of hope and says that it's OK to stand out, help others and follow your true path.
All proceeds from the book go directly to the True North Foundation and the Vincent D’Antoni-Richmond Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Last year’s golf outing funded five $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors at Huntington High, Whitman, Northport, Smithtown East and Smithtown West.
Applicants submit a short essay on community issues involving substance use, mental health or the environment and how young people can partner with adults to create solutions.
Richmond, a 25-year elementary school teacher — and currently a fifth grade teacher — has already begun reading the book to students.
She hopes it opens honest conversations about self-worth, peer pressure, making good choices, and asking for help — tools she wishes Vincent had more access to.
The book is available everywhere books are sold. For scholarship details or to support the True North Foundation, visit her site.
https://sites.google.com/view/true-north-foundation/home
