The WKF Commemorates National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2011 

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IN THIS ISSUE
National Crime Victims' Rights Week Prelude Events Honors Victims
William Opens as Keynote Speaker at Ending Violence Against Women International Conference
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois and the Push for Victims' Rights during National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center Ceremony of Remembrance

Greetings! 
On behalf of the Board, staff, partners and friends of The William Kellibrew Foundation, our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted by the tornadoes, flooding and other disasters across the country. Over the past few days lives have been lost, homes have been ripped apart and ways of life for many victims of these disasters have been tragically altered forever. The WKF stands with the victims and survivors of these tragic storms as they work to rebuild their lives.  One of the WKF's partners released information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency related to helping victims seek assistance.  Click here to view info provided by the National Coalition on  Black Civic Participation.

 

In this update The WKF gives an overview of its participation in National Crime Victims' Rights Week events across the country, what we are doing to be a resource to individuals and institutions committed to breaking the cycles of violence and poverty.  

 

Please enjoy this update and I encourage you to pass this information along to others by clicking the "FORWARD EMAIL" at the bottom of this email.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brandon

 

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U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder hosted and spoke at the National Observance and Candlelight Ceremony, one of National Crime Victims' Rights Week's Prelude Events 

NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK PRELUDE EVENTS HONORS VICTIMS

The U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder hosted two prelude events for National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 10 - 16, 2011).  

 

Each April since 1981, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has helped lead communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) by promoting victims' rights, honoring crime victims and recognizing those who advocate on their behalf. "Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past" was this year's theme.  The speaker for the National Observance and Candlelight Ceremony was Judy Shepherd, mother of hate crime victim, President and Co-Founder, Matthew Shepherd Foundation.  The National Crime Victims' Service Awards Recognition Ceremony was held on the following evening.  Click here to see Award Recipients. 

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Attendees at the NCVRW National Candlelight Observance(From Left) Patricia Hobson, William Kellibrew IV, Melanie L. Campbell, Mai Fernandez and son, Mustafa Hafiz, Romaine Johnson, Brandon Wallace, Ashley Smith, Ronneisha Brown

 


 
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William presents at the Ending Violence Against Women International Conference in Chicago, Illinois

WILLIAM OPENS AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

William Kellibrew was invited to be the opening keynote speaker for the Ending Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) Conference in Chicago, Illinois earlier this month (April 11 - 13).  He joined law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, victim advocates, judges, parole and probation officers, rape crisis workers, medical personnel, faith community members, educators and others in this two-and-a-half-day conference highlighting promising practices and emerging issues in sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking.  William shared his personal struggles and his resiliency while giving his presentation on tools that can assist victims in recovery, especially child victims of violent crime.

 

EVAWI is Led by Executive Director, Joanne Archambault who is also President and Training Director of SATI, Inc. (Sexual Assault Training and Investigations).  SATI provides effective, victim centered, multi-disciplinary training and expert consultation regarding crimes of sexual assault.

 

Board member, Suzanne Sege and Brandon Wallace also attended the conference on behalf of The WKF.

 

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William with Shirley and Karen whose stories are captured in the book Voices of Courage

 

 


 
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William speaks at FBI Citizen's Academy Alumni Association in Springfield, Illinois
FBI CITIZENS' ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HOLDS INAUGURAL VICTIMS' RECOVERY SYMPOSIUM IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 

 

On April 13, 

Springfield Federal Bureau of Investigation Citizens' Academy Alumni Association (FBICAAA), invited William to be the keynote speaker at the inaugural Victims' Recovery Symposium.  He shared his story and made the case for the necessity of  victims' rights and the impact that violence has on victims and their families.

 

The Alumni Association serves 84 counties affecting 3.4 million people in Central and Southern Illinois. The Association held several public events during the week. A 5K Run/Walk/Roll highlighted victims' rights. Different victims' rights were featured on signs. A Victim Services Provider Fair provided information on the impact of crime on victims, the criminal justice process, available services, and crime victim compensation. A Victims' Recovery Symposium was held to send a message of survival and recovery.

 

The final event was the creation of a peace/healing garden, The Crime Victims' Memorial Peace Garden.  William's name and the word, "Resilience" inscribed in a beautiful rock will be placed at the entrance of the peace garden in a ceremony to follow later this year. It will take approximately $65,000 to create the peace garden.  Funds are still being raised.

 

 

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William and Suzanne Sege (Board member, WKF) visit the future site of the Crime Victims' Memorial Peace Garden

The FBICAA is a private sector ambassador for community education and preparedness. Their mission is to achieve a safer America through public awareness. 

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Crime Victims Memorial Peace Garden Co-Chair unveils first stone 

The group is compromised of business leaders, cultural and faith-based leaders, philanthropists and civic leaders from governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations who have attended the FBI Citizens Academy sponsored by the Springfield FBI Division Office.

 

 
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Children release balloons with messages from loved ones
Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center Hosts Ceremony of Remembrance in P.G. County, MD 

The Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center held their Annual Ceremony of Remembrance in Prince Georges County, MD.  At this event survivors of homicide came together to honor their loved ones. The event included hanging of hearts on the tree of remembrance and a slideshow of pictures previously sent in by friends and families which honors their loved ones. The ceremony was held at the Prince George's County Court House on Judge's Drive and was followed by the reception at the Prince George's County Administration Building on Governor Oden Bowie Drive.  Members of The WKF attended the event including Brandon Wallace and Mustafa Hafiz, a victim's advocate.

 

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Victims and Survivors write messages in honor of their loved ones on balloons released

William sang two songs, Flying Without Wings and the final song, You Raise Me Up as balloons signed by survivors of crime victims were released into the sky.  There was a major storm that brought rain, thunder and lightning, however, during the program the rain stopped and allowed the program to continue outside. William's eight year old neice, Josiah, attended the event to remember her grandmother, Jacqueline Kellibrew, her uncle, Anthony "Tony" Cephas and others who were murdered violently.  At one point during the ceremony, Josiah mentioned that she was sad because, "I didn't get a chance to meet her."  This confirmed that the impact of violence can be felt years from the actual victimization.

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William's neice, Josiah writes message to loved ones

 

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Balloons with messages to loved ones soar into the sky.

The Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc., a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to serving the interests of crime victims in Maryland, while maintaining a nationwide reputation for dedicated advocacy and services. The MCVRC serves Maryland's victims from two offices, in Prince George's County and in Baltimore City, and has diversified its services to include criminal justice education, court accompaniment, therapeutic counseling, support groups, community education, prevention education, legal information and assistance, direct legal representation, policy advocacy, technical assistance for allied professionals and criminal justice agencies, and faith-based referrals.