Testimonials

“I got anger for this community because of what happened to my son, but with this here, it kind of relieves that anger because people do care.”
— William C., right after the vigil for his 21-year-old son, August 2006.

“As the mother of a son myself, I condemn the violence that took your babies. We have to drive by here every day coming and going from our house. My son is having trouble sleeping. He is scared. We need to pull together to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
— Mia B., resident of a neighborhood where a double murder took the lives of two young men, speaking to the slain men’s mothers during their joint vigil May 2006.

“It means a lot that a person doesn’t have to be famous or a leader or anything, but that you all are here for a regular person like my brother.”
— Sheila F., sister of 48-year-old murder victim speaking at his vigil February 2007.

“Before the vigil my heart was hard and cold. I was filled with hate and thoughts of vengeance. The vigil was a turning point in my healing. I was so moved that strangers cared enough to stand with me and my family. My heart began to open up. I realized I had to begin to forgive.”
— Nathan B., father of murdered 24-year-old son, 8 months after his March 2006 vigil.

“I am so thankful for what you all did last night. I thank you all so very much. I’ll tell you, it was wonderful.”
— Clara F., mother of murdered son, in a phone message the day after his February 2007 vigil.