Louis D. Brown Peace Institute

Get ready: the 24th Annual Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month (SHVAM) is right around the corner! Enacted in 2000, SHVAM is a month-long effort (November 20 - December 20) to inform, influence and impact how society views and responds to murdered victims and their families. SHVAM offers an opportunity to educate the public and policymakers about the effect that murder has on families and communities, and uplift the peace-building efforts of survivors. It also provides a dedicated space around the holiday season for survivors to gather in community and celebrate and honor their loved ones. Help us kick off the 24th Annual SHVAM alongside fellow survivors, community partners and elected officials. This year, we are excited to be back and in-person at the Massachusetts State House - Great Hall for the Opening Ceremony on November 21. We hope to see you there! RSVP: tinyurl.com/shvam2024

Come visit us at our booth at the International Association of Chiefs of Police this weekend! The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition is the largest and most impactful law enforcement event of the year – more than 34,000 public safety professionals come to learn new techniques, advance their knowledge and careers, and equip their department for ongoing success. We'll be at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Exhibit Level Halls A-C/Booth 2746 - come say hi!

We’re thrilled to share this week’s WFXT Boston 25 News spotlight on Peace Play in Urban Settings, a healing modality offered by the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. Through the use of miniature figures, sand, and trays, individuals and families can express their struggles and strengths, creating scenes that help shape their emotions and experiences. With support from the Mass General Hospital Gun Violence Prevention Center and Safe States Alliance, 34 participants have now been certified as Peace Play Practitioners. This certification equips providers and community leaders with tools to bring this powerful modality to their communities, offering a pathway to healing in the aftermath of murder, trauma, grief, and loss. A special thanks to Peace Commissioner Cindy Diggs, and to Bob Ward for his reporting on this initiative, which has made a meaningful impact on our Survivors Network. Together, we are building a world where healing is not only possible but within reach. Click here to watch and read the full report: https://lnkd.in/ghQXZZb7 #PeacePlay #PeacePlayinUrbanSettings

Today, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and members of our survivor community were at the State House for the ceremonial signing of An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws, the state’s most significant gun safety legislation in a decade. While we are hopeful that this will save lives and reduce the number of violent gun incidents in Massachusetts, it is crucial to remember: homicide is not just about the tool. Our focus is always about creating a sustainable culture of peace. This bill signing is an important moment. As homicides still occur, the Peace Institute is part of the state infrastructure of homicide response. We look forward to growing and developing our partnership with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Special thanks to Governor Healey, and congratulations to our friends and partners who have tirelessly done this work. May we continue to cultivate cycles of peace.

RSVP for the 9th annual Peace B'Que, our free summer celebration in Dorchester, designed to provide a safe, fun-filled afternoon of food, music, games and connection for residents and visitors alike. Its goal is to foster community spirit and promote peace through a joyous, inclusive gathering. Here are some images from last year — we hope to see you on August 10th! RSVP at Peacebque.com.

With deep gratitude, today we share a huge win! Last night, Amendment 123 passed in the Massachusetts Senate, awarding the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute "not less than $2,500,000" towards building the new Center of Healing, Teaching and Learning —a space for families and communities throughout the Commonwealth impacted by murder, trauma, grief and loss. Thank you to Senator Collins for carrying this amendment across the finish line, and to State Representative Chris Worrell for championing this initiative in the House. We are grateful to our elected leaders for supporting families of homicide victims. This win was achieved because of the amazing dedication of our family, made up of survivors, interfaith leaders and providers who have continuously shown up for survivors of homicide victims. We also recognize that this win, this time, was awarded without calling on fellow survivors to open our hearts, share our stories, and relive our traumas. Yesterday, the Senate saw Survivors and staff from the Peace Institute in the gallery and halls of the State House. Thanks to the three decades of your advocacy, courage and storytelling, the Senate recognized the importance of this funding. We will continue to share important updates on the Campaign for Peace, and our progress on building the new Center of Healing, Teaching and Learning. We are honored to have you alongside us on this journey.

Join us on July 25 from 6-8PM in Boston for Crime Survivors Speak Right to Heal. Our very own Chaplain Clementina Chéry will be in conversation with Aswad Thomas and Issac Yablo, sharing stories of being impacted by violence and the work they’ve led to bring healing to communities. Food and refreshments will be served and space is limited, so RSVP by July 18th for location details. See you then!

Fernanda Lopez is the featured guest artist for our last Peace Pole, Forgiveness! Here's Fernanda kicking off the series as she introduces the Forgiveness hearts and what we were called to do in this beautiful workshop.

"My heartfelt hope is to unite the Spanish community in healing and embrace the evolving tapestry of our culture. May peace and harmony reign as we heal together in unison!" - Damaris Ortiz, Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator. This past weekend marked the second convening of Pan Con Café, our survivor healing support group for the Spanish speaking community. Survivors tried on Peace Play in Urban Settings and shared coffee and cookies! Join us at Pan Con Café on July 6 or any of the next four sessions!

We've got some exciting news! The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal approved our plans for a three-story Center of Healing, Teaching and Learning at 30 Westville St. in Dorchester. As we celebrate our 30th year of existence, we look forward to scaling our programs, investing in our team, growing our organizational capacity and leading the movement for peace, right in the heart of Dorchester. Learn more about our Campaign for Peace: https://buff.ly/4cnO8kt