Family & Friends of Homicide Victims' Blog

July Monthly Meeting

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:05:04 +0000

At this month’s meeting we discussed past and future events. David and Marie are helping to plan a conference at LeMoyne College on community based approaches to violence. Syracuse has a response to trauma team that we would like to model. David is also presenting to 62 District Attorneys about mental illness. Connie spoke about Peaceful Acres, a farm that uses horses as therapy for kids. She also mentioned that there is a motorcycle/barbecue coming up in memory of Liza Ellen Warner to benefit anti-violence and prevention of domestic violence. Lynn gave us an update on her journey to meet up with her perpetrator. Marguerite spoke about the upcoming September day of remembrance and that they are looking for a speaker. I volunteered to contact Janet Koupash about our wish to learn more about the apology repository…a place where the incarcerated can store apology letters in the event that their victim may ask for one. We are working with CURE on this as a collaborative effort. We will be sending out a letter to FFHV and CURE members soon asking for input.

Monthly Meeting-June

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:39:52 +0000

David Kacynski introduced Adam Geller, a features correspondent for the Associated Press. Mr. Geller outlined the approaches and methods he employs in gathering information for feature articles. Members of Families and Friends discussed the interactions and experiences they have had with the media… not always positive over the years. Mr. Geller seemed very interested in the issues and concerns that were discussed.

5K Race/Walk Against Domestic Violence

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:56:07 +0000

A 5K Race/Walk Against Domestic Violence will be held June 12th. All proceeds from the race to benefit Unity House Domestic Violence Program and The Animal Protective Foundation. Youth events start at 9:30 and the race starts at 10. For further information visit www.rememberingliza.org. Sign up online at www.active.com

May 2011 Monthly Meeting

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Wed, 04 May 2011 16:05:14 +0000

At this month’s meeting, we started out by sharing our feelings about the death of Bin Laden…what the celebrations might reveal about society’s mindset, in addition to the messages that it sends to our youth and the world in general. We also discussed and reviewed our participation in Crime Victims week events, our meeting with CURE, the Walk a Mile benefit, HVCC Restorative Justice teaching day and the Parallel Justice lecture by Susan Herman. Two members discussed their restorative paths of healing from sexual assault…similarities and differences. A new member to FFHV discussed her current PhD studies and views on the psychological end of victimization and forgiveness. We also all got sidetracked talking about water quality and the dangers of using plastic drinking bottles!

A restorative response to Bin Laden’s death

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:57:09 +0000

The following is a facebook post by Antonio Aversano:

Having lost my dear Father Louis on 9/11/01 in the destruction of the World Trade Center, I do not feel justice was served by killing Osama Bin Laden. In being acquainted with the American system of justice since my Dad’s murder, I have personally experienced the reality that retributive justice does not comfort the aching hearts of victims of violence nor does it shape their lives in a positive way for the journey of healing that we all must face from such a loss. It has been my personal experience that only practices of restorative justice and personal and community support can offer such an opportunity to truly find a path of healing that will serve victimized individuals and communities. It is also my experience in these early morning hours that the celebrations over Bin Laden’s death appear to me as being misguided and point to the dangerous disconnection and desensitization we have as a society to the realities of violence and death. The out pouring of “euphoria” at this time equally points to the darker side of our collective conscience that would take pride in the murder of another human being. I believe that through the celebration of the murder of such an ” enemy”, we are reduced to the level of arrogance and blind sightedness that seems to be eerily similar to the way of thinking that was the seed of those very acts of terror that took my Father and thousands of other lives 10 years ago. I pray and ask that if you feel moved to honor the families of those lost on 9/11, to consider this day as a time of reflection, remembrance and soul searching; not a day of celebration.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Benefit

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Sun, 01 May 2011 23:10:52 +0000

On Saturday, April 30th, several members of FFHV took part in the annual benefit Walk a Mile in Her Shoes at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY. The event benefits the preventative and supportive services provided by the Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Program. This is the fourth year that FFHV has taken part in this hugely successful event. Tom Grant and David Kacynski both sported very attractive red high heels on the long one mile walk…we commend their bravery and pain to show their support. Thanks to all of our 20+ team and those who donated in honor of our team….HEELS FOR HEALING!

Commonalities as Victims of Crime

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:36:57 +0000

On April 20th, some members of FFHV met in New Paltz with members of the Mid Hudson Chapter of Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) to discuss commonalities that we may share as victims of crime. As a result of our discussions, we agreed that the New York State Apology Repository is something that could be of significant value to some victims, as well as for offenders, if carried out in a restorative approach.

HVCC Restorative Justice Teaching Day

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:30:59 +0000

During the evening of April 19th, some members of FFHV attended the second annual Restorative Justice teaching day in the Capital Region, held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. The presentation featured an overview of Restorative Justice by Professor David Karp of Skidmore College. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion that included people whose lives had been impacted by violence, including our own Tom Grant, retired parole Commissioner.

Parallel Justice Lecture by Susan Herman

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:14:52 +0000

Susan Herman, the celebrated victims advocate and author of PARALLEL JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, delivered a lecture on April 11th at Sage College in Albany. The lecture was co-sponsored by FFHV as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights week. Parallel Justice is based on principles which create two parallel paths to justice– one for victims and one for offenders. The concept of Parallel Justice has been embraced across the country from communities in California to New York.

Walk A Mile in Her Shoes Benefit

Family & Friends of Homicide Victims — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:51:58 +0000

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Abuse to benefit the preventive and supportive services provided by the Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program for Rensselaer County It’s true … you can’t really understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked in their shoes! We challenge men to literally walk ONE MILE in women’s shoes to help raise awareness about rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Why? Because gender violence is not just a women’s issue, it’s everyone’s issue!

Family & Friends will once again be walking together in this great event. Our team is HEELS FOR HEALING, so sign up and join us!

Samaritan Hospital – Lally Pavilion Saturday, April 30, 2011
Check in: 10 am Walk: 11 am Reception: Noon

Emcee: John Gray, Anchor, FOX 23 Chair: James Gaspo, President, Citizen’s Bank
REGISTER AT: https://www.nehealth.com/register/walk_a_mile/Default.asp