It's one thing to have a loved one killed, but it is quite another when you are the one intended to receive the bullet. In addition to the loss of my beloved niece, our family had to care for her suddenly motherless baby, and the strain on family relationships from the shooting caused my crumbling marriage to shatter. While living in an extreme state of mourning, I also suffered survivor's guilt. There were times when this combination of painful factors made me feel as if I no longer wanted to live.
I needed a new point on which to focus.
Jireh-Shalom Foundation
Jireh-Shalom Foundation's purpose is to advocate for people whom the system has failed -- like Lee Malvo himself, family members and survivors of crimes. We do not believe that extreme and unusual punishments are fitting for young people. We believe in truth telling to reconcile traumatic experiences. We believe in wholistic healing and self care. Jireh-Shalom creates a community for those who have lost loved ones to, or have survived, violence committed by youth.Founded in 2004, the Jireh-Shalom Foundation has been committed to the domestic and economic empowerment of children and their families. Through engaging and convening people who are in pain and offering them purpose is a tried and true part of our work to date. Jireh-Shalom is committed to truth and reconciliation of trauma; healing in incomparable ways for the survivor families themselves. This advocacy is remarkably effective.
Objectives
- Offering virtual training academies to survivor families on healing circles, local organizing, and advocacy / public speaking on truth and reconciliation of traumatic experiences;
- Formalizing national networks for survivor families who want to reconcile traumatic experiences.