Sam’s Legacy Project: The Love Shacks
Reflection written by Sam’s mom, Laura Love.
At Touch A Life, every space tells a story. Each building, each home, each gathering place is a reflection of love, resilience and the lasting impact of a life well-lived. Jackson “Sam” Aden’s story is no different.
In November 2023, on the six-month anniversary of losing their 14-year-old son, Sam, his mother, Laura, traveled to Ghana and visited the Touch A Life Care Center for the first time. It was there, among the laughter and resilience of the children, that she knew Sam would have felt right at home. Before she left, she spread some of his ashes in a quiet fishing pond—a place she knew he would have loved—and made a promise to return.
But long before that trip, a beautiful act of love was already in motion. Unknown to Sam’s family, his bonus dad, Keith, had been working on a surprise: a special space built in Sam’s honor.
The Love Shack I
Opened in early 2023, The Love Shack I is a vibrant, welcoming space where kids can just be kids. Hammocks swing from the rafters, music fills the air and books invite young minds to explore new worlds. It’s a place to laugh, relax, and feel free—just as Sam would have wanted. When the children first walked up the steps, they danced and filled the space with the same energy that defined Sam’s life.
The Love Shack II
In December 2024, Keith revealed another incredible surprise—The Love Shack II, a vocational training center designed to equip Touch A Life children with practical skills for the future. This space is dedicated to teaching soap-making and batik design, offering hands-on learning that fosters creativity, independence and opportunity. It’s more than a workshop; it’s a place where young people can build confidence, dream big, and prepare for their bright futures.
A Legacy of Kindness
Sam’s presence is woven into every detail of these spaces—his “Be a Good Human” banners, the shirts worn by the children, and most of all, in the laughter and joy that fills the air. The Love Shacks stand as a testament to how kindness, action and love can transform lives. Through The Sam Aden Kindness Fund, Sam’s light continues to shine, supporting Touch A Life’s mission and their groundbreaking Agents of Change program, which focuses on youth mental health.
Sam’s story reminds us that love is never lost—it simply finds new ways to grow. His legacy lives on in every smile, every song, and every child whose life is made brighter by the spaces built in his honor.
