How and Why Peaceful Hugs Started:

“Many times, it takes a loss to understand the meaning of Love! Love to understand the meaning of Happiness! Happiness to find Wisdom! It takes Wisdom to know loss can be a gift!”

-Mark Steven-

Detroit is not just a city to me, it is a way of being, it becomes part of your Soul, and I am proud of my Detroit roots and believe it is the key to my success. Loss comes in all shapes and sizes! Even though we obviously relate it to the loss of a loved one, all of us at some point in time experience loss in other forms. Our dignity, our sense of pride, our sense of self, security or a sense of longing are just some forms of loss. And along with that, can often come trials and tribulations that lead to loneliness, homelessness, hunger, mental clarity and sometimes the ability to pay our bills, find a job, and simply to get back on our feet. I have been there, and I understand, which is why I believe, at one time or another, everyone needs a Detroit Soul and a Peaceful Hug.

A Detroit Soul can be tough and is a hard worker that never, ever, gives up. A Detroit Soul is a great friend who is kind and loving and honest, although sometimes direct which is when you know they care. A Detroit Soul helps those who want to help themselves, does not blame others and is never defeated. A Detroit Soul is an enigma, like a candy with a hard shell to bite through, but once you do it has a sweetness inside that surprises you. I was born and raised on Detroit's east side (6 mile & Gratiot) and as an at-risk youth, on my own, I moved from place to place. Watching the decay of the neighborhood, seeing, and hearing sinful racism and negativity take hold, and walking amongst those addicted to drugs and alcohol, I vowed that one day I would come home and reinvigorate the neighborhood and help those in need like I was at one time. That journey has taken me over 45 years as trials and tribulations such as homelessness, a shooting, robbery, and cancer, along with loss of loved ones and relationships and a whole lot of mistakes along the way, have been replaced with humbleness, love, and wisdom.

As the story continues to be written, Peaceful Hugs conducts its mission in that humbleness, kindness, and love in Spirit with God and… in a Spirit of Detroit way throughout the country!

I have been blessed, and I hope we can help others see their blessing, sometimes with the help of a Peaceful Hug!