Spring 2015

 Serving the loved ones of homicide victims.

National Crime Victims Rights Week:
April 19-25, 2015

Go the Distance for Crime Victims: April 18
 
Members of the Linn County criminal justice community are hosting the Go the Distance for Crime Victims 5K Run/Walk on April 18. Proceeds from the race directly benefit victims of crime in Eastern Iowa. Click here for more information.


Crime Victims Rights Week Opening Ceremony
April 19 at 1 PM
Hosted by the Department of Correctional Services
Survivor Verna Kuehl will be speaking about her daughter's death in a vehicular homicide in Linn County. Following the ceremony, attendees may place crosses in remembrance of loved ones in the Leah Wera Memorial Garden.
Location: William G. Faches Center
951 29th Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

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Candlelight Vigil: April 24
This event, hosted by Horizons Survivors Program, is for anyone who wishes to honor victims of homicide or vehicular homicide. 


Where: 
Horizons, A Family Service Alliance 
819 5th Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
When: Friday, April 24 from 7 - 8:30 PM

If you would like to include a picture in the slideshow that will display during the vigil, please email the photo, person's name, date of birth, and date of death to: 


Having a Breakdown

By: Madisyn Taylor
Excerpt from DailyOM March 20, 2015

Most of us have had the experience of holding back our emotions for such a long period of time that when they finally come out, we have something resembling a breakdown. For a certain period of time, the overwhelming flood of feelings coursing through our bodies consumes us, and we stop functioning. Often, these outbursts take us by surprise, welling up within us as we drive to or from work, watch a movie, or engage in some otherwise mundane task. We may feel like we do not know what triggered us, or if we do know, it does not make sense of our overpowering emotional response. This is because we are releasing feelings that have accumulated over a long period of time, and whatever inspired the release was just a catalyst for a much larger, much needed catharsis.

When we find ourselves in the midst of such an experience, it is important that we allow it to happen, rather than fight it or try to shut down. Wherever we are, we can try to find a private, safe place in which to let our feelings out. If we can not access such a place immediately, we can promise to set aside some time for ourselves at our earliest possible convenience, perhaps taking a day off work. The important thing is that we need to give our emotional system some much-needed attention. It is essential that we allow ourselves to release the pent-up emotions inside ourselves so that they do not create imbalances in our bodies and minds.

When you are feeling better, make a plan to find a way to process your emotions more regularly. You can do this by employing a therapist or making a regular date to talk to a trusted friend. Journaling can also be a great way to acknowledge and release your emotions, as can certain forms of meditation. Making room in your life for tending your emotions on a regular basis will keep you healthy, balanced, and ready for life.
As Long as Love is Alive
 
Excerpt from "The Last Valentine" 
By James Michael Pratt

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"...as long as love is alive, the dead never die. It's not the end alone that we love, but along the way. A love that endures the thorns of life calls out to us. When we listen, it lights the ground on which we walk and we know that we're not alone. And when the flame of life flickers out and is no more, the love you showed to others will light the ground for them to walk upon."

 

Memorial List


 

Abbott, Amanda
Atkins, Henry
Awbrey, David
Awbrey, Karen
Balderas, Marcus
Ballew, Rolando
Barnes, Wendy
Batten, John
Behyl, Shanna
Bentler, Mike
Bentler, Shayne
Blackwell, Raphael
Blum, Patricia
Bohlken, Cathy
Brandon, Jr. , Robert
Brenneman, Amanda
Brenneman, Samantha
Brown, Brian
Burns, Daun
Carey, Justin
Cervany, Emily
Chase, Craig (Rocky)
Clark, David
Cory, Paul
Cowan Jr., Troy
Crowley, Chantele
Daugherty, Michelle
Denker, Donna
Denny, Rachel
Douhart, Jackie
Duncan, Candice
Edmondson, Molly
Edwards, Karen
Edwards, Lynnford
Ehlers, Terry
Eisbach, Dawn
Erickson, Gregory (Sky)
Evenson, Traci
Filben, Travis
First, Dennis
Folkerts, Jacqueline
Garrison, Emily
Gephart, Amy
Gerot, Sharon
Gilbert, Tyrone
Gross, Pamela
Guajaudo, Mercedes
Gustafson, Jon
Hackman, James
Haferbecker, Sherry
Harding, Chris
Harrison, Celena
Hauser, Rebecca
Heabel, Thomas
Hill, Katrina
Horak, Daniel
Horvath, Tom
Horovitz, Robert
Hughes, Jerry
Hurt Sr., Jerry
Ingham, Michael
Jauron, Patricia
Kersey, Steven
Kray, Jason
Kunkle, Ronald
Lake, Kenya
Lane, Timothy
Larson, Joshua
Lewin, Luke
Lindsey, Donelle
Lundgren, James
Lundy, Kenneth
Manuel, Lynda
March, Jr., Raymond
Martin, Eddie
Mather, Thomas
McAdam, Jeffrey
McBride, Mary
McGill, Melissa
Meade, Michael
Meeks, Dexter
Melver, Ruth
Miell, Angela
Miner, James
Mitchell, Craig
Mosby, Dominique
Nimmers, Earl
Noling, Laura
O'Clair Jefferson, Kerry
O'Connell, Kevin
Oetken, Lisa
O'Hare, Gregory
Ott, Troy
Palumbo, Sara
Perkins, Kylie
Perkins, Sarah
Petersen, Judy
Pippenger, Larry
Post, Dick
Rathjen, Jennifer
Reed, Michael
Reighard, Mark
Rossin, Lynette
Ryan, Zachary
St. Clair, Audrey
Sallis, Daniel
Sammons, Dustin
Sauser, Terry
Simmons, Sierrah
Slattery, Richard
Steck, Kirk
Stein, Eric
Stickley, Cathy
Stokowski, Shane
Sunner, Bret
Sutton, Marvin
Sweet, Janet
Sweet, Rick
Techel, Lisa
Thomas, Ed
Tomlinson Sr., David
Versypt, John
Walker, Renee
Walker, Tracy
Wara, Leah
Washburn, Ryan
Watson-Dalton, Laura
Weeks, Judith
West, Clifton
Williams, Jerry
Williams, Michael
Williams, Nathan
Wilson, Jada
Wilson, Tammi
Wittstock, Jeff
Witzke, Steven
Wohlman, Joshua
Wood, Christian
Young, Aubrey


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