news
view as list
Mayor Jim Stafford will read a proclamation and declare the week of April 21-27 Crime Victims' rights Week in Pontotoc, Mississippi. This will happen at the Pontotoc City Hall at 10AM Tuesday April, 2, 2013. Mayor Stacey Parker will read a proclamation and declare the week of April 21-27 2013 Crime Victims Rights' Week in Houston, Mississippi. This will be at the City Counsel Meeting 6:30 PM at City Hall in Houston. Let us know if you would like to attend or need more information: Survival, Inc. (662) 869-7088 or survivalmks@yahoo.com
Survival, Inc., north Mississippi’s oldest Homicide Survivors Advocacy Group, invites you and your congregation to support survivors of violent crime during National Crime Victim’s Rights Week; April 21st through 27th 2013. Being a victim of crime is frightening and unsettling for the millions of Americans who experience it each year. Because of the dedicated efforts of advocates, law makers, and crime victims, an extensive range of services and resources are available to help victims heal and obtain justice. Since faith-based organizations are the hub of many people’s lives in north Mississippi, we know that your awareness and assistance can make the difference for individuals, families and communities.
Since violent crime is so prevalent, you and your congregation may encounter a victim of crime at anytime. The more familiar you are with Crime Victims’ Rights and the needs of Victims and Survivors, the better prepared you will be to help someone in their time of need.
As a part of National Crime Victims Rights Week, we request that you to devote all or a part of your sermon on Sunday, April 21, 2013 to the issue of victims of violent crime. What can your congregation do to help survivors of violent crime both inside your congregation & in the community as a whole? Please follow these links to view:
- Two sample sermons that tie the issue of crime to the life of the congregation. We know that each congregation is different and is facing unique issues, and we hope that the sample sermons help to guide your thinking to the issues at-hand in your community.
- Survival’s Services Brochure
- Understanding Crime Victims’ Rights Brochure with a schedule of events for Crime Victims Rights’ Week
- Recent News Article in the Daily Journal about Survival and Crime Victims Rights
Please help us to spread the word about Victims Rights on April 21, 2013 and know that Survival, Inc. is dedicated to assisting you and members of your congregation cope with the aftermath of violent crime.
If you will join us on April 21, 2013, please call Mary Katherine Spencer at Survival, Inc. (662) 869-7088 and let us know.
Thank you!
This project is supported by a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Community Awareness Project sub-grant awarded by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators under a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Recognize Survivors of Violent Crime during the week of April 21-27 2013
- Sunday, April 21, 2013: Local Congregations will discuss National Crime Victims' Rights Week and Local Newspapers will have butterflies readers can bring to display locations to honor Victims of violent crime. If your congregation would like to be invovled, please call (662) 869-7088
- Monday April 22, 2013: Local Mayors will read proclamations and honor their Survivors.
- Tuesday, April 23, 2013: Stop by the Survival, Inc. Office and help us plant a Memorial Garden in Honor of Homicide Victims
- Wednesday, April 24, 2013: Survival Staff speak out about Victims Rights. If you would like a presenter, please call (662) 869-7088
- Thursday, April 25, 2013: Join Survival at the Link Center for a screening of "Heaven's Rain" a movie made by a Survivor about his work to help Victims Rights become law.
- Friday, April 26, 2013: Survival Staff speak out about Victims Rights. If you would like a presenter, please call (662) 869-7088
- Saturday April 27, 2013 Memorial Service at the "Park Along the River" in New Albany, Mississippi in honor of Survivors and in Memory of Victims.
The Mississippi Coalition for Survivors of Homicide Victims will hold their annual weekend retreat November 9 - 11, 2012 at Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman, MS. Survivors of the victims of homicide from all over the state are welcome to attend and support each other as well as receive comfort and skills in coping and specialized grief processing.
Offering this retreat to family members and loved ones is a primary goal for the MS Coalition which was established to provide statewide support, advocacy and referrals to family and friends of homicide victims to help them cope with the incomprehensible murder of a loved one.
For more information about the retreat or to make reservations, contact Cathy Cook at 601-813-6730.
<a href="http://factms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/luminaria.jpg"><img src="http://factms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/luminaria.jpg" alt="" title="luminaria" width="600" height="400" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-664" /></a>
<em><strong><a href="http://www.wearesurvival.org/" target="_blank">Survival</a></strong></em> will sponsor a luminaria-lighting and poetry reading Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Fairpark in Tupelo.
The Service will be from 6 PM to 7PM
The Memorial Service is in conjunction with <em>The National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims</em>, an annual event sponsored by chapters of Parents of Murdered Children (<strong>POMC</strong>) across the nation.
Luminarias will be lit to represent the victims of homicide and other violent crime in northern Mississippi and will stay lit to honor the surviving families and friends of the deceased.
The service will be a time to remember all the happiness and joy that loved ones brought into our world and to share experiences surrounding love and loss.
It is also a time to remind the larger community what has been lost as a result of murder and rightfully request <em><strong>respect</strong></em> – for the lives of homicide victims; the rights of surviving family members; and for justice under the legal system.
If you would like to read a poem or a story or have other ideas for this service please let us know. We also need volunteers to help set up the day of the event and to fill
luminaria bags with sand and candles.
Ribbons to wear on The National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims will be available.
For more information, to volunteer or to submit a poem or story, please contact
<strong><a href="http://www.wearesurvival.org/" target="_blank">Survival</a></strong><em> at (662) 869-7088.