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A note from our Founder... | |
Hello, Friends!
Over the last few decades, the national law enforcement community has undergone stages of enlightenment in regards to officer wellness. It has been a painstakingly slow process for police leaders, departments, agencies, and officers to understand the ways policing affects a human being. Then, there was the hurdle to accept that such evidence and research was indeed legitimate. The last and largest hurdle is to personally acknowledge the effects of policing and get the help needed. All the while, an unseen but very real stigma has threatened those who are struggling to keep silent. There are tens of thousands of casualties from this phenomena--the best of men and women who served our communities, but succumbed to the weight of the badge.
As families, we see it in our homes! We hear the fatigue in our officers. We live it year after year. But we don't understand, and don't know what to do. As a young wife in the late 80s, it took me all of a month or so to realize something was different with my husband, but there was absolutely no information I could find to help me/us, and NO ONE was talking about it. I have personally seen many divorces up close, and have seen the aftermath of suicides ripping families apart.
THIS is why we train our law enforcement families...to save lives and marriages. Because we know that educated families are the key to helping our officers before something catastrophic occurs.
Mid-March, our team of five attended the International Chiefs of Police Officer Wellness Symposium in Anaheim, California. We set up a booth loaded with resources and packets specifically for departments across the country. We engaged with many officers, leaders, chaplains, and mental health professionals, sharing what we have for families. Then on the very last day and hour, we spoke to a large audience on how to support families from the beginning of the career and onward. We were very well received, and many approached us for packets and follow up. We gave out everything we had!
Serving this community for over 17 years now, I've seen trends in education and resources. Hypervigilance, PTSD, substance abuse/rehab, suicide prevention, and peer support have been trends in the not so distant past. We are now seeing that the current trend is support for families through programs and resources. And we just happen to be ready for such a time as this! And we will continue to create learning tools, videos, and vital services as we spring forward towards the summer and fall (see below).
How 2 Love Our Cops is now serving tens of thousands of law enforcement families. We are saving lives and marriages. But we need your help...please consider praying for us, supporting us financially, sharing our website, or perhaps volunteer at our next event. Thank you!
Victoria
Victoria Newman
Founder, President
| | What a productive first quarter! | | |
Highlights...
- Support at the Savannah, GA Traumas of Law Enforcement Training
- Several team members spoke at the IACP Wellness Conference about how departments can support families
- Our Peer Support team coming alongside several couples in crisis
- H2LOC was a guest on two podcasts
- "What About Me?" Conference in Indiana with our Indiana State Liaison, Jenny Lanzen
- Academy Presentations in Washington, Texas, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.
- Home Watch in Clermont, Florida: "EVERYONE needs this conference!" -- feedback to several department leaders from attendees
- Added New Hampshire State Liaison Amanda Cunningham to our Liaison team - welcome Amanda!
- Filming and Launch of New Officer Videos (see more info below)
- Our Indiana State Liaison, Jenny Lanzen, spoke at the International Conference of Police Chaplains Conference in March representing H2LOC.
- Our Wisconsin State Liaison, Erika Hostens, launched BACKUP715, a family support group for Wisconsin Law Enforcement Families.
- Several departments received help in setting up family support and spouse groups
- Increased activity on Family Peer Support Helpline
- Groundwork for two more possible state liaisons - we are reaching across the country!
- Our team has been speaking at chaplaincy events, spouse group functions, departments, and new recruit family events
- Our team is helping to develop legislative groundwork for law enforcement bills
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Active in 30 states as well as Washington, D.C., Canada, Japan, the Philippines, and Bermuda this quarter! Only made possible by all of YOUR support and our great volunteers! Thank you!
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SPOTLIGHT: NEW OFFICER FAMILY RESOURCES
We are excited to announce that a special page on our website for new law enforcement officers and their families is ready to serve you and your local departments! Our team knows all about the challenges that a new officer's family faces as they get into this amazing career, and we want to come alongside them to provide the support that is needed.
On this page you will find a link to 12 amazing videos made especially with our team to provide support directly to the families, thanks to the The Latrobe Fund and Portlight Creative, Inc. There are also links to get in touch with Peer Support for one-on-one help, as well as an area that covers commonly asked questions that often come up for new officer families.
Check it out for yourself and share with your groups, departments, and law enforcement friends and family!
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PODCAST - Listen In!
Listen to Victoria Newman as a guest on the No One Fights Alone Podcast! Victoria shares her powerful insights on resilience, relationships, and the unseen challenges faced by those who stand behind the badge on the episode entitled "From Chaos to Connection".
Click HERE to listen or stream on your favorite app
| | | Keep your eyes on 2025! We have a very busy and impactful month coming up, starting with our Big Day of Giving, our Beyond the Badge Family Conference, and the National Police Week in Washington, D.C. This summer is full of Traumas of Law Enforcement (TLE) Trainings and chances to connect to Law Enforcement families across our country. Your prayers, financial support, and volunteer help make all of this important work possible! | | |
Big Day of Giving
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Early Giving Begins Thursday, April 17, 2025!
As you know, operating an effective non-profit organization takes a lot of wonderful volunteers and finances to reach law enforcement families across the country! Big Day of Giving is a Sacramento, CA area event that supports and promotes the non-profits in the area, and we are thankful to be part of this event again this year. You can support us from anywhere by clicking on the link to donate! We have a goal to raise $50,000 to fund our needs - can you help us to get there?
Click the link to read more about Big Day of Giving, our needs, and ways you can support us. The link is active even now, but to give during this event, donate anytime between April 17th and May 2nd! Of course, we LOVE your support throughout the year as well. THANK YOU!
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Beyond the Badge
First Responder Family Conference
Saturday, May 3, 2025 - Sutter, CA
Join us for a day of education and encouragement, and leave equipped to thrive relationally, emotionally, and spiritually as a law enforcement family. Topics will cover the experiences of law enforcement spouses, ideas for celebrating the wins, and navigating the struggles of a law enforcement career. We will also cover the impact of trauma ad crisis on the body with practical steps for living a healthy life as a first responder family.
This event is FREE, children are welcome (care is available), and is presented by the Amador County Law Enforcement Chaplains and How 2 Love Our Cops. Although it is free, registration is needed to help us prepare for the day. Please register below and share with friends!
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National Police Week
May 11-17, 2025
Washington, D.C.
Each year our nation loses between 140-160 law enforcement officers in the line of duty. National Police Week (NPW), held May 11-17 this year in Washington, D.C., honors the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement officers. Events such as the Candlelight Vigil, National Police Survivors' Conference, and the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service honor fallen officers and give support to the surviving families and departments round the country.
HISTORY: In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 designating May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. The law was amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Public Law 103-322, signed by President Bill Clinton, directing that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff on all government buildings on May 15 each year. While the actual dates change from year to year, National Police Week is always the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes May 15.
H2LOC will send 8 team members this year to help provide peer support to families and officers throughout the week. Last year, the team would often stay up late into the night providing peer support to families and officers impacted by the loss of a fellow officer or family member. Such a critical part of this organization is the wise and helpful peer support offered to those in need of it at the right time.
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Traumas of Law Enforcement (TLE)
April 28-30, 2025 - Chandler, AZ
June 2-4, 2025 - Billings, MT
June 30-July 2, 2025 - Baltimore, MD
Each year in numerous locations around the country, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) provides training to America’s law enforcement agencies on how to appropriately respond to officers and their families affected by line-of-duty traumas through the Traumas of Law Enforcement Trainings. At these trainings, instructors will present information that is important to America’s law enforcement agencies regarding appropriate response to line-of-duty death, disability, critical incidents, and police suicide. Law Enforcement Officers as well as many spouses of LEOs attend these trainings. H2LOC has been honored to play a support role at these trainings offering peer support and resources for their families. Interested in more information about these trainings? CLICK HERE.
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