A Spotlight on United Luz Foundation Founder – Sky Heavens During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

We all know someone who has been affected by domestic violence. Whether that’s directly, indirectly, or a friend of a friend, domestic violence is a prevalent issue with alarming statistics. According to TheHotLine.org, “nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner and reported it having a related impact on their functioning.”

Every October, victims, survivors, and allies raise awareness around DV by wearing purple, sharing their stories, and spreading information about intimate partner violence. For Sky Heavens mom of one, the fight to combat DV is every day. As a survivor of DV, her Luz Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to helping women and mothers navigate life after being abused.

“I founded the United Luz Foundation (ULF) in 2016, named after my late mother, Luz, who was a domestic violence survivor and also battled with mental health,” she shared.

“ULF was created to raise awareness around depression and mental health while uplifting Black and Latin mothers who are survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, particularly those living in safe houses, shelters, and underserved communities. We provide emergency essentials, resources, wellness and self-care programs, and events designed to restore hope, self-esteem, and self-love.”

Heavens, a recording artist, singer/songwriter, creative director, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, founded the United Luz Foundation in honor of her late mother. For it was an organization, similar to her own, that helped her escape a life-threatening situation.

“I called the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and they connected me to resources that helped me enter a safe house,” she revealed during a candid chat. “At the time, as a teen mom, I was too young to go directly into a DV shelter/safe house, so I first went to Covenant House with my daughter. Once I became emancipated, I was relocated to a safe house in another borough and started over in a new high school. That step saved my life and gave me the chance to rebuild.”

Those experiences fueled Sky’s passion to create “safe spaces for others — especially youth, mothers, and families navigating similar struggles.” She added, “I express myself unapologetically through music, beauty, fashion, and advocacy, all of which connect back to my story of survival, motherhood, and self-expression. I don’t like being placed in a box. As both an artist and humanitarian, I’m committed to using my creativity and my voice to inspire and uplift others — while also embracing the freedom to create music that reflects every side of who I am.”

Domestic violence has the power to rob people of their dreams, but Sky has found a way to continue to do what brings her joy — music. She was recently featured on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hip-hop legend Eminem’s newly released STANS soundtrack.

“When I shared the stage with him at Wembley Stadium performing his iconic song ‘Stan,’ that moment was not only a career milestone, but also a powerful reminder that even after experiencing trauma, our voices can still reach and inspire the world. I truly believe we are all survivors of life.

“Music has always been my therapy and my freedom. It gave me an outlet to release emotions I couldn’t always put into words. My single ‘Light Within’ was born from that healing journey — it’s about survival, resilience, and the importance of mental health, reminding us that the validation and the light we seek from others has always lived within us.”

As a mom, Sky approaches tough but essential conversations with her daughter with “honesty, openness, and compassion.” “I believe it’s important to normalize conversations about what healthy relationships look like — from communication and emotional intelligence to self-worth, boundaries, and daily affirmations,” she said. “I also emphasize the importance of recognizing red flags early, because awareness can help prevent cycles of abuse, toxic friendships/relationships, and generational trauma. Above all, I remind her of the importance of protecting her energy and that it’s okay to be ‘selfish’ when it comes to protecting your worth and honoring your true value.”