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CSSJ Monthly Newsletter: We Are Survivors August 2024
Hi Survivor,
As we embrace the final days of summer, I am excited to share with you the latest updates, stories, and initiatives from Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. August is a time of reflection and renewed energy, and we have much to celebrate and look forward to.
This month, we continue to amplify the voices of survivors and advocate for policies that promote healing, safety, and justice. Your unwavering support and dedication are the driving forces behind our collective success, and I am continually inspired by the resilience and strength within our community.
In this edition, you will find highlights from our recent events, powerful testimonies from survivors, and updates on our ongoing campaigns. We also have exciting news about upcoming initiatives and opportunities for you to get involved and make a difference.
Thank you for being an integral part of our mission. Together, we are building a safer and more just future for all.
Jonathon Lewis
Managing Director
Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice
Exciting Updates from CSSJ’s Right to Heal Community Event Tour!
We are excited to bring you the latest updates from our Crime Survivors Speak "Right to Heal" tour. This past month has been incredibly impactful, with events held in Charlotte, NC, Detroit, MI, Boston, MA, and Philadelphia, PA.
Each event brought survivors, advocates, service providers, and community leaders together to share stories, provide feedback on the "Right to Heal" policy platform, and prepare for the Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington, D.C.
Check out the recap and the latest developments from our Crime Survivors Speak "Right to Heal" tour.
Charlotte, NC: Building a Foundation for Change
On July 13, in Charlotte, NC, we began the day with a heartfelt welcome from CSSJ Charlotte lead organizer Shonda Lifhred, setting the tone for an event filled with inspiration, connection, and healing. Shonda and Aswad shared their personal journey as survivors, detailing the challenges they faced and the path that led them to become leading advocates for crime survivors. Their words resonated deeply with everyone in the room, reinforcing the shared commitment to healing and advocacy. Other survivors and lead organizations shared similar stories and how excited they are to join the Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington.
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Detroit, MI: A Day of Inspirational Healing & Transformative Conversations
On July 20, in Detroit, the CSSJ Detroit Chapter, in partnership with Hands on Healing and Still Standing Against Domestic Violence, hosted an inspiring right-to-heal event. During the event, the survivors reflected on CSSJ’s work in the state since 2016 and how, through a multi-year organizing and advocacy campaign, CSSJ helped change the state victim’s compensation laws. In addition to these efforts, the members rejoined about the funding that was secured to open the first Trauma Recovery Center in Detroit.
The right-to-heal policy feedback discussions were dynamic, with attendees actively engaging in conversations about the need for survivors to have more trusted and accessible places in the community to get services to heal from trauma. We ended the event with a special candlelight vigil to honor ourselves and everyone we lost to violence.
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Boston, MA: Uniting for Peace and Healing
On July 25, in Boston, MA, the CSSJ and The Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute brought together a diverse group of passionate attendees ranging from victims, survivors, families of homicide victims, advocates, law enforcement, service providers, faith leaders, and re-entry organizations. We started the event with an intimate fireside chat discussion between Aswad Thomas and Issac Yablo moderated by Chaplain Clementina Chéry, the CEO and Founder of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute. The event concluded with an uplifting group session about the policy platform and organizing more survivors in Boston to attend the Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington.
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Philadelphia, PA: Strengthening the Movement
Our final stop for this month was Philadelphia, PA, on July 27th. The event hosted by the CSSJ Philadelphia Chapter featured a series of powerful stories from CSSJ Philadelphia, PA, chapter members Yolanda Jennings and Rev. Leroy West. Yolanda and Rev. West shared their stories and how being part of CSSJ has helped them in their healing journey. In particular, the two shared how attending Survivors Speak Pennsylvania ignited their passion to get more involved in advocacy to help change laws and bring more resources to their communities. During the policy platform feedback discussion, Rev. West uplifted the need for more services and resources that are needed for caregivers who are now raising their children’s kids after losing their own children to violence. The day ended on a high note, with everyone feeling inspired and connected.
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Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the successes of our July Right to Heal events, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible support and engagement from our community. The feedback and insights gathered in Charlotte, Detroit, Boston, and Philadelphia will be crucial in refining our "Right to Heal" policy platform as we move forward.
We are excited to continue this journey and look forward to our upcoming events and the Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington. Together, we are building a powerful movement for change, ensuring that every survivor has the right to heal.
This month, CSSJ and Aswad will be traveling to host events in Houston, TX (August 10), and we’re planning events in New Orleans, LA, Birmingham, AL, Hampton, VA, Washington D.C., and Atlanta, GA. If you’re in these areas, be on the lookout for more details on how you can participate.
Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming events and how you can get involved in our mission to ensure every survivor has the right to heal.
Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington D.C. 2024 - “Road to D.C.”
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This month, we are thrilled to share a federal advocacy update and a call to action to share your feedback. If you’ve been following the Right to Heal event tour, you’ve heard us mention the concept of the Right to Heal Policy Platform. The development of this platform is at the heart of these community events, and the upcoming Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington, D.C.
What is the Right to Heal? The Right to Heal policy platform is built on the belief that every survivor deserves access to services, protection, safety, and the opportunity to heal. As crime victims, there are two things we want the most: what happened to us never to happen again and what happened to us never to happen to someone else. We also want victims' rights but with a different approach.
For too long, popular use of the phrase “victim rights” has been synonymous with punishment and subsumed by systems that most victims not only do not use but that too often contribute to more harm and trauma. More than half of violent victimizations are never reported to law enforcement, yet systems and laws are supposedly designed to help victims that are too often bound up by the criminal justice system – leaving the majority of victims out without having rights.
What would it look like if “victim rights” were synonymous with HEALING ? How many victims and survivors could we better serve under this “Right to Heal” framework to help people heal through access, protection, and safety?
As we work to develop this policy platform, we want your input and feedback. Please provide your feedback on the Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice Right to Heal Policy Platform by clicking this link [[link removed].] .
Learn more about The Right to Heal [[link removed].]
CSSJ at the National Organization for Victim Advocacy's 50th Annual Training Event
NOVA’s Annual Training Event provides the victim assistance community of advocates, crisis responders, and other allied professionals with an opportunity to connect and gain best emerging practices for serving survivors of crime. Offered both in-person and virtually each year, attendees choose from an extensive list of workshop topics and hear from inspiring keynote speakers!
Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice team members attended NOVA's 50th annual training conference in Washington, D.C., last month, leading and learning with 2,000 advocates from across the country!
Danny Montes and Jonathan Lewis led a breakout session focusing on the pivotal role crime survivors have played in shaping policy and building healing communities, while Aswad Thomas gave the closing keynote at the event and announced our #survivorsmarchonwashington [[link removed][0]=AZW0XZhrsQKm5LQB81Ws_eS-vzTNxmda0ofOsr4jx4UifMPNMw0Hc4S98JqZKb5NNdzjnTblNFHy32ACe_g2Zs4tW4v4mQp83No3VBhZB6CdKmLoLHQX7hYpwaVhRmyBICn3K3C3yHToo6gHWyftgmWcpELOUbR3JRtQzAsl6MbC0n-5dfqSZF9skliWUknus-LorjLcTaRJccAmdygSEKSt&__tn__=*NK-R] to the crowd.
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Volunteer of the Month: Elissa Swihart and Victoria Rachel Marshall
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Join us in welcoming Elissa Swihart and Victoria Rachel Marshall to the CSSJ community of victims and survivors. These two amazing individuals are our newest Grand Rapids, Michigan CSSJ members. Both Elissa and Victoria are domestic violence survivors who have focused on bringing healing to themselves and the community they live in. Both Elissa and Victoria first became involved in our work by participating in multiple media and legislative trainings over the last few months. Their expertise and dedication to bringing change to Michigan crime survivors led them to testify in front of the Michigan State Legislature last summer and later this summer. They will continue their advocacy work by participating in a few in-district visits with key decision-makers to uplift the critical impact that our policy priorities will have on thousands of survivors across Michigan. They both are also ready to head to DC in September to continue to elevate their voices among the 2,500 victims and survivors headed to the Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington event. Welcome them to the team!
Elissa and Victoria have worked very closely with Priscilla Bordayo, CSSJ’s Partnership Manager. Priscilla had this to say about our two amazing Grand Rapids CSSJ leaders, “I am incredibly proud of these two. Their focus on mental health is helping victims across the country heal and be their best version of themselves. It’s a blessing to have two advocates that care about the healing and rehabilitation for all.”
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Upcoming Activities
CSSJ Right to Heal Event in Houston, TX: August 10, 2024
Who We Are: New Members Orientation:
Virtual Training, Wednesday, August 21, 2024; register here [[link removed]] !
To sign up for upcoming meetings and events, visit the events page here. [[link removed]]
CSSJ Member Support Program Activities
See all the Member Support Program (MSP) has to offer you here [[link removed]] . Free counseling through our partner BetterHelp, monthly healing spaces, Wellness Wednesdays, and more! And check out our new member discount program you can get right on your phone!
Member quote about the Monthly Virtual Healing Space [[link removed]] :
"I always feel very inspired but also have a sense of a calm peaceful spirit after these healing meetings. It is always a safe space I can count on."
My Deals Deal of the Month!
This benefit for CSSJ members allows you to save on everyday purchases like movies, dining, car services, clothing, and more—all from your phone! Check out the deals for August, including:
$10 reward from CVS when you spend $30 on select items
$40 digital Costco Shop Card when you join as a new Executive Member and enroll in auto renewal
Go here for the iPhone App! [[link removed]]
Go here for the Android App! [[link removed]]
Crime Survivors Speak Podcast: Surviving the Insurmountable: Recovering From Domestic Violence
Podcast Flashback : In a profoundly moving episode, we sit down with Vanessa Martinez, an Arizonian survivor leader who turned tragedy into advocacy. Vanessa opens up about the harrowing day she suffered a gunshot wound to the head in a domestic violence incident that was tragically witnessed by one of her children. As she grappled with the physical and emotional aftermath, an already dire situation was made worse by a system that denied her victim compensation due to an old unpaid fine. Despite these insurmountable challenges, Vanessa's story is also one of resilience, community support, and recovery. Through the rallying of her community, she reclaimed her life, her children, and her home. This episode is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the imperative need for a justice system that truly supports survivors.
Listen to the episode! [[link removed].]
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Californians for Safety and Justice is a program of Alliance for Safety and Justice, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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Alliance for Safety and Justice
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