Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Post

𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 Today, we honor the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. As a nation, we’ll recognize these schools' ongoing trauma and legacy and the need for reconciliation. Today, let’s wear orange because Every Child Matters. #ForensicTechnology #LeadsOnlineCompany #TruthandReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay #reconciliation #EveryChildMatters

Hello! As some of you may have heard, VSS was recently awarded a JAG grant that is providing us with the funding to build a new program called the Community Support Program (CSP). In order to meet the needs of the community we serve, we are looking for some feedback through a quick questionnaire we have created. The purpose of the questionnaire is to gather useful and valuable information regarding the CSP which is intended to reach victims of violent crime and offer them resources such as support groups and retreats to aid in the navigation of trauma and the facilitation of deep healing. Your input with this questionnaire will help us obtain an idea of direction for these new programs as we aim to provide to the best of our ability. If you are a victim of crime, current or former client of VSS, or you work with individuals that have been hurt or harmed by crime, we invite you to complete this questionnaire! Here is the questionnaire link: https://lnkd.in/g8BJ3w9J We are asking that all feedback is received no later than 3/22, and we thank you in advance for your help! Any questions? Please contact Liberty Miller, Community Support Coordinator, at liberty@victimsupportservices.org #VSS #CommunitySupportProgram #CSP #SupportGroups #Retreats #Workshops #Activities #Resources #Education #Connection #ViolentCrime #VictimsOfCrime

Today, we observe the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. This day reminds us of the harsh reality faced by countless children worldwide who suffer from violence and aggression. May we strive for a world where every child can live in peace, free from fear and harm. 📚 Interesting Facts: - Established by the United Nations in 1982, the day emphasizes the impact of war and conflict on children. - It highlights the need for safeguarding children's rights and well-being globally. - Over 250 million children live in conflict-affected areas, facing risks such as displacement, loss of family, and psychological trauma. Let's commit to protecting and nurturing the future generation. 🌍❤️ #InternationalDayOfInnocentChildrenVictimsOfAggression #ChildProtection #PeaceForChildren #traqmetrix365

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We’re thankful for the work our partners at Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) and Hope Family Services do in this space. In Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, domestic violence ranks among the top reasons children are taken into protective care. Last year alone, nearly 90 children came into our care because of domestic violence. Witnessing domestic violence can leave lasting emotional scars on children. While these experiences may never fade, with the right support, children can learn positive communication skills and become resilient as they grow. Learn more about how domestic violence affects children: https://lnkd.in/eJrMRE2M.

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour the Survivors of residential schools and mourn the children who never came home. We stand in solidarity with the Survivors, families and communities impacted by residential schools. The legacy of residential schools and colonization is ongoing. It is important that we recognize the impacts and intergenerational trauma of residential schools and take action for reconciliation today and throughout the year. IRSSS Support Line: 1-800-721-0066 #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay

Our #Pledge for #InternationalDay of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression Today, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting and uplifting the lives of all children affected by conflict and aggression. We stand in solidarity with the innocent victims, dedicating ourselves to: 1. #Advocacy and Awareness: Raising our voices to highlight the plight of children suffering from violence and conflict, ensuring their stories are heard and their rights are upheld. 2. Support and Healing: Providing essential support services, including #education, #mentalhealth care, and trauma recovery programs, to help children rebuild their lives and futures. 3. Protection and Safety: Ensuring safe environments for children, free from violence and exploitation, where they can thrive and grow. 4. Empowerment and Inclusion: Empowering #children to become advocates for peace and change, fostering resilience, hope, and a sense of agency within their communities. Together, we pledge to continue our tireless efforts to protect, support, and empower all impacted by #war and aggression. Every child deserves to live a life of peace, safety, and opportunity. ❤️ Children in Conflict

Today, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day for settlers to reflect, learn and take meaningful action toward reconciliation: acknowledge the painful history of residential schools, the impacts of the intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous communities, and commit to supporting truth-telling efforts. #NDTR #OrangeShirtDay

@QMediaAdvocacy we believe that, Through the darkest of times, survivors of GBV emerge as beacons of strength, resilience, and hope. Your courage inspires us all to stand together, support one another, and create a future free from violence. You are not alone, and your voice matters. Keep shining, keep fighting, and know that you are deserving of love, healing, and a life filled with empowerment. And we encourage all those that are struggling and/or still facing GBV in all forms that, You have the strength within you to rise above GBV and reclaim your power. Reach out for support, surround yourself with love and understanding, and know that you are worthy of a life free from violence. You are resilient, courageous, and deserving of a future filled with joy and empowerment. #happywomensday2024 #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #StopGBV

Individuals working to interrupt violence have the credibility needed to do this work because they have themselves experienced gun violence. But this experience means they are marked by trauma. And doing this work- going to crime scenes, consoling victim’s families, long/late hours, dangerous working conditions- by its very nature leads to additional trauma. We surveyed #DCPeaceAcademy alumni and virtually all of them expressed being impacted by trauma. Here are quotes from some of their responses. Why is this important? Because trauma & gun violence are inextricably linked, along with retaliation, and often part of a cycle that is hard to break out of. A glimmer of hope: survey results also indicate that the #DCPeaceAcademy is helping DC‘s #Peacemakers to cope with & heal from their trauma, and arming them with tools to teach others in the community how to do the same. This is one important step to breaking that cycle and ending gun violence. Peace For DC is committed to working, with all partners in community & government, to healing trauma & #EndGunViolence. Learn more: www.peacefordc.org/survey

Read Community Justice's 2023 Violence Prevention Index to see how you and your partners can support the work on the ground to prevent gun violence in the communities most impacted. https://lnkd.in/gmZBgk2k