JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A mother, who lost her son almost nine years ago, is transforming her grief into acts of service to help others.
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“It is on my heart to do it,” Latasha Hobbs said. “This is what Maurice has led me to do. Anything I say is in light of my son. Anything I do is in honor of Maurice.”
Hobbs is helping a young father advance his career as a merchant mariner.
“Maurice was a poet,” Hobbs said. “He was a music artist, he was talented, he was gifted, he was a jokester. He was a jack of all trades. He loved his city and he loves his community.”
That is how Latasha Hobbs lovingly talks about her son.
January is an emotionally challenging month for her.
Maurice Hobbs turned 18 years old on January 24, 2017.
Two days later, he was shot and killed in Jacksonville’s Southside Estates neighborhood.
His murder remains unsolved.
“I also have chosen a path to honor his legacy and honor his life by giving back to my community,” Hobbs said.
That path led to Mayport and the St. Johns River Ferry.
Jorge Avila Molina is a deckhand. His job includes directing traffic and making sure vehicles are parked safely on the ferry.
“I ended up enjoying the line of work that I do,” Molina said. “Being outside, working with my hands.”
Molina is 34 years old and has an 11-year-old daughter.
He is ready to advance his career in being a merchant mariner by becoming what is called an able body seaman. Molina says it is a job that could quadruple his salary.
However, there is is a mandatory class he has to take in order to reach that goal.
The ferry is how Molina’s and Hobbs’ paths crossed.
They met and became friends as Hobbs travels on the ferry often.
Once she heard about Molina’s goals, Hobbs said she wanted to help him achieve that.
Hobbs launched a campaign on Facebook to help get funding to pay for Molina’s class.
It’ costs $875 dollars for him to complete the course in February that should take a week.
If you feel compelled to contribute, you have some time and there are a few ways to do that:
Venmo: @Latasha-Hobbs32
Cashapp: $Mauricestrong32
Please wrote “seamen” in note section.
“It kind of took me by surprise,” Molina said of Hobbs offering to help him. “Because people say they want to help you all the time, but you do not want to be a burden or hindrance to other people’s lives. You also do not want to miss out on a blessing.”
“He is a very hard worker,” Hobbs said of Molina. “He really is. He is always in good spirits. He deserves his hand up to success.”
“His story just really touched my heart and this is Maurice’s birthday month,” Hobbs said. “In light of Maurice, I really wanted to do something meaningful to help someone. What better way to do that then to help a young father become successful and in return and be able to get back to his community?”
Hobbs says helping improve the lives of others is what she is called to do since her son’s life was cut short.