Gun violence is a public health crisis, impacting families in Massachusetts and across our country. For every homicide victim, there is an average of 10 surviving family members who suffer their loss — families who will have an empty seat at the table throughout the holidays.

For years I’ve worked with Boston’s own Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, an organization deeply close to my heart. Named in honor of Louis D. Brown — a young teen whose life was cut short in December 1993 due to gun violence — the Institute is a beacon of compassion and care for the families in our community living through the hurt and pain of gun violence.

From November 20 to December 20, we recognize National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month in Massachusetts — a time to honor the voices and experiences of those grieving the loss of a loved one, recognize the generational impact of this trauma, and commit to ensuring that survivors’ needs are met and healing is centered.

I’ve issued a congressional resolution to mark this moment nationwide, and I am so grateful to the Institute for their partnership in this work. The voices and experiences of survivors of homicide deserve to be heard, and the Institute makes sure these families can share their stories.

The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and I want to show them love and support their healing work. Will you donate to the Institute today to help a family missing their loved ones?

The Institute is an integral partner to the City of Boston and other cities across the country in transforming society’s response to homicide. Their impact is working and transforming our city — the homicide rate is down from 2023 due to prevention programs and work supported by the Institute.

Too many families are denied the recognition and healing they deserve when their loved ones are stolen by violence. That’s why the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s work matters so much, and why we need to help them keep up the fight.

Creating and fostering pathways to healing is survivor justice. If you can, please join us in donating to the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute to help families and loved ones find peace and healing after unimaginable loss.

Onward,

Ayanna Pressely