One room. One book. One life at a time.
Building pathways of healing, learning, and protection for those who need it most.
The Von Cleveland Foundation creates safe, empowering spaces for trauma survivors—especially children—by transforming the very environments where harm occurred, expanding access to life-changing books, and supporting anti-trafficking efforts.
Rooted in the redemptive journey of our founder, we believe that healing is possible, dignity can be restored, and every person deserves the chance to rise.
Sonny Von Cleveland is more than a survivor—he is a voice of resilience, redemption, and radical hope.
Born in a small Michigan town, Sonny’s childhood was scarred by years of abuse that led to trauma, rebellion, and incarceration. For nearly two decades behind bars, he wrestled with anger and isolation—until a moment of unexpected grace changed everything. A fellow inmate became his mentor, guiding him toward self-examination, forgiveness, and the belief that transformation is possible.
That pivotal awakening became the foundation for Sonny’s life mission: to help others reclaim their dignity and rise beyond trauma. Today, as an author, speaker, and advocate, Sonny leads The Von Cleveland Foundation with a clear vision—to create safe spaces, provide life-changing knowledge, and support survivors of abuse and systemic harm.
Sonny’s journey reminds us that no past defines a future, and no life is beyond redemption.
Meet Our Founder: Sonny Von Cleveland
“You are not defined by what was done to you. You are defined by the strength it takes to rise beyond it. You deserve safety. You deserve beauty.
You deserve a future that belongs to you.”
— SONNY VON CLEVELAND
At The Von Cleveland Foundation, we turn trauma into transformation—creating real, restorative change for survivors of abuse, incarceration, and systemic harm.
Our Vision
A world where every survivor of trauma—regardless of their past—has access to healing spaces, empowering knowledge, and the support they need to rise, rebuild, and lead.
Our Mission
We create emotionally restorative spaces, provide life-changing resources, and support survivor-centered justice efforts—empowering individuals to rise from their deepest wounds with dignity, strength, and purpose.
Through three core initiatives:
Room to Heal – transforming rooms where abuse occurred into sanctuaries of safety and hope
The Literary Legacy Project – distributing transformative books to prisons, shelters, and underserved communities
Justice Giving – supporting anti-trafficking partners like Operation Light Shine
...we meet people at their breaking points and build pathways toward healing, learning, and protection.
We believe in the possibility of redemption—for individuals, for families, and for our collective future.
