Jennifer Ayres Moore

Jennifer's story is deeply interwoven with that of her brother, Nathaniel. Nathaniel was a gifted young musician who attended Julliard School, a prestigious New York City-based conservatory, on scholarship as a double bassist. Hit with schizophrenia in midst of his studies, he wasn't able to complete his education. He lived with his mother and siblings for some time, while Jennifer took a special interest to support him during this time. Initially Nathaniel did seek therapy but, unfortunately, his condition didn't improve in the earlier years of the illness. Jennifer felt compelled to help her mother take care of Nathaniel by supporting him morally and by making contact with people who would listen to Nathaniel's story. After his mother's death, Nathaniel went to Los Angeles, where he sought his father. Losing contact with Jennifer and all family, he became homeless and played on the streets simply for the sake of playing. He was, after some time, discovered by Steve Lopez, a Los Angeles Times journalist, and Jennifer, because of Steve, was able to reestablish contact with her brother. Nathaniel's story also became known by the public, because of the many newspaper articles and the fact that Lopez went on to write a book about Nathaniel called "The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music." The Soloist was also adapted into a film starring Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel and Robert Downey Jr. as Steve and the role of Jennifer was portrayed by LisaGay Hamilton. In 2009 The Soloist was nominated for the 2010 Vits Awards for "Best Directing" and "Best Music". It was Jennifer's mother's dream to open a home for the mentally ill because her experiences made her realize how damaging the lack of support is and how important it is to reach out to help others. In 2008, after the public consciousness was raised by "The Soloist", Jennifer seized the unique opportunity, took this task upon herself and founded the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation (www.naayers.org ). The driving force behind the foundation was to fulfill her mother's dream and her over 30-years experience with the impact that mental illnesses has on families and life in general. She also desires to not let her brother's legacy go unnoticed. The foundation focuses on providing the mentally ill with an opportunity to express their artistic visions as an important component of their ongoing therapy. Under its Artist in Residence program it aims to establish a number of facilities called "Nathaniel's Place" in cooperation with other nonprofit organizations, where particularly talented mentally ill will be able to share their talent with the rest of the world. Additionally The NAAF aims to strengthen the public awareness by exhibiting the work that is created this way, educate and advocate.

What she presents:

Her own experiences
Nathaniel's Place: Artist In Residence - Assisting through the Arts
Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness, Educating and Advocating
The Caretaker's Perspective: Family Members with Mental Illnesses