Press Release
Families Unite to Launch Homicide Awareness Month at State House
BOSTON – On Thursday, families and friends of homicide victims gathered at the State House to kick off Homicide Awareness Month, honoring those impacted by these tragedies. The event marked the 24th annual Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month in Massachusetts, organized by the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute alongside other organizations.
Beatriz Couho, mother of 19-year-old homicide victim Joel Leon, expressed hope amidst her pain, wishing for peace for all children in the community. The ceremony in the Great Hall included poignant speeches from bereaved mothers, representatives from state agencies, and lawmakers, highlighting the severe effects of homicide on families.
Co-Executive Director of the Peace Institute, Alexandra Chery-Dorrelus, emphasized the month’s dual purpose: "to celebrate, to grieve," while advocating for legislative priorities that support homicide survivors. Among these priorities, Co-Executive Director Rachel Rodrigues pointed out the need for more realistic bereavement leave policies for families mourning loved ones lost to violence.
State Sen. Nick Collins and Rep. Chris Worrell reinforced the necessity of community support, assuring attendees that “your voices are heard here.” Throughout the month, the Massachusetts Survivors Network will host events aimed at uniting and empowering families affected by homicide.
Linda Smith, whose son was murdered in Roslindale, shared how her efforts to help other survivors and create scholarship funds in her son’s memory help her transform grief into strength. “I see him in nature, in colors, in rainbows,” she reflected, conveying her belief in the enduring presence and love from her departed child.
Homicide Awareness Month serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by families and the importance of community support in healing and advocacy.
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Photo credit www.bostonherald.com
