The Third Annual National Day of Remembrance

September 25, 2009   

Mayor Carl T. Langford Park   1808 E. Central Blvd. Orlando 32803

Orlando's third observance of the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims was celebrated with participants writing a personal message to their loved one on a purple ribbon which was then tied on our tree.

A sturdy young live oak tree was dedicated in 2007 to honor the memories of Central Florida's murder victims and to recognize the impact on the surviving family members. In 2008 we added flowers at it's base.

Sponsored by the Bereaved Survivors of Homicide, Orange County Sheriff's Office, Victim Advocate Squad and Hughes Counseling Services, P.A. (Supported by the Debbie Fielding Memorial Fund) laurie.mckenna@ocfl.net )

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The lives of many persons are forever changed by the murder of a loved one.  BSH is a peer driven, professionally facilitated support group for the friends and family members who have had a loved one taken by murder.

BSH was founded in 1991, by several Victim Advocates from the Orange County Sheriff's Office and a mental health therapist.

The group was designed to support and offer a haven from the turmoil that survivors experience by allowing them to share with others who understand the loss.

The group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Covenent Presbyterian Church at 1655 Peel Ave. Orlando, FL 32806 (For directions, click 'Meeting Location Directions' at left.)

1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at: 
Grace Covenent Presbyterian Church 
1655 Peel Ave Orlando FL 32806

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

BSH's goals include helping survivors:

Gain control of their lives; to once again feel a sense of empowerment.

Learn how to integrate the murder into one's mental framework.

Supply support in an environment where the survivor is free to express any and all feelings -- to talk, cry, scream, to feel rage, guilt or to just feel.

Work through the grief process and achieve reconstruction of their lives. To understand the design and purpose of associated systems (law enforcement, criminal justice, etc.) and learn how to work with them.