National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
In 2014, Cortez and Tammy Bush Hamilton experienced every parent's worst nightmare when she and her husband, Cortez Hamilton, lost their beloved daughter to suicide. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Tammy began searching for answers, healing, and hope.
Tammy's journey led her to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), where she found comfort through bereavement support, educational programs such as Talk Saves Lives, Out of the Darkness Community Walks, Illinois State Capitol Day, and the Overnight Walk. These resources became an important part of her healing journey and helped her navigate life after loss.
Determined to help others facing similar challenges, Tammy became actively involved with the local Illinois chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, where she now serves on the chapter committee. Through her volunteer work, she is committed to raising awareness, advocating for suicide prevention, and supporting families affected by suicide.
Driven by her passion to transform pain into purpose, Tammy founded Tam's Beautiful Butterflies, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring her daughter's memory. Through education, advocacy, outreach, and compassionate support, the organization works to raise awareness about suicide prevention, promote mental wellness, reduce stigma, and provide hope to individuals and families navigating the impact of suicide.
Tammy's mission is simple yet powerful: to save lives by ensuring that no one feels alone and that every person knows they are valued, loved, and worthy of hope.
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that guides our work
the roadmap
Our Vision
Our vision is to be the most reliable organization that works towards preventing suicide through public awareness, education, reducing stigma, and serving as a resource to those touched by suicide.
Our vision reflects our values, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Teamwork.
Our Mission
Tam's Beautiful Butterflies mission is to partner with schools, colleges in order to educate teens and young adults about suicide. We will offer services to those suffering from suicidal ideation and mental health issues.
We hope to save lives and reduce the number of suicides in our community. We will provide guidance and structure to the affected young adults in Illinois and surrounding communities. We plan to provide the highest quality of programs while individualizing services and maintaining integrity, fairness, and honesty.
Our Goal
Tam's Beautiful Butterflies seeks to create lasting, positive change by empowering teens and young adults to build resilience, develop healthy coping skills, and embrace a future filled with hope and purpose. We are committed to fostering environments where individuals feel safe, heard, and encouraged to overcome life's challenges through meaningful connections, mentorship, and access to supportive resources. By strengthening families, engaging community partners, and promoting emotional wellness, we aim to inspire confidence, encourage early intervention, and help young people recognize their value and potential. Through innovative programs, compassionate outreach, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Tam's Beautiful Butterflies will serve as a catalyst for healthier communities where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, achieve personal growth, and lead a life filled with dignity, purpose, and hope. Guided by our values of Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Teamwork, we are dedicated to making a measurable and lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.
Tammy Bush-Hamilton
President
Latekia Bush
Vice-President
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Jalonda Bush
Treasurer
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Jennifer Washington
Board Member
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Javonda Quinn
Secretary
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