We are delighted to announce the 2008 Massachusetts Victim Rights Conference-- Preventing Youth Violence: Supporting Youth, Strengthening Communities, Inspiring Hope, which will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at the State House in Boston. The day promises to be inspirational and educational on a topic that is extremely timely and in need of our increased awareness and response.
In addition to Governor Patrick, Lt. Governor Murray, and Attorney General Coakley, we are thrilled to welcome two inspiring speakers to the conference.
First is Hillario Antonio Arthurton, Jr., a 7th grader from the Mildred Academy Middle School in Mattapan, a survivor of violence and a National Campaign to Stop Violence’s “Do the Write Thing Challenge” contest finalist for his essay entitled “Violence in My Life”.
The other keynote speaker is Mr. Hubie Jones who has had a long and illustrious career advocating for social justice, racial justice, and youth and community-focused anti-violence initiatives. The conference will provoke thought and unite us in our efforts on behalf of victims and survivors.
MOVA is excited to again collaborate with the Cambridge Health Alliance and others to present Violence Transformed: An Exhibition of Selected Works a collaborative, inspirational, week-long art exhibit on display in Doric Hall at the State House from April 28 – May 2.
We look forward to seeing you there and joining in unison to support and advocate for victim rights and services.
We are pleased to share with you the Proclamation Governor Deval Patrick issued for April to honor this month as Crime Victim Rights Month. The Proclamation is an opportunity to honor the victims, families and communities impacted by crime, and remind us all that although we have made great strides to ensure safety and dignity for victims.
2008 Victim Rights Conference Award Recipients:
Gerard D. Downing Leadership Award David E. Meier, Former ADA, Chief of Homicide Unit, Suffolk County DA
Criminal Justice Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy Officer David Rice, Greenfield Police Department
Volunteer Achievement Award Bonnie Lobel, The CASA Project
Community Advocate Award Stephanie DeCandia, Manager of Policy and System Advocacy, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
Legislative Award Representative Geraldo Alicea -State Rep- 6th Worcester District
Special Recognition Award for Activism Royal Nunes, The City School
Special Recognition Award for Activism Patricia Quigley and Susan Retik Ger, Beyond the 11th
Innovations Award Michael Borr, Allied Auto Parts
Victim Advocate Award Dora Quiroz, Victim Witness Advocate, Middlesex DA’s office, Lowell
Victim Advocate Award Jan Johnson, Victim Witness Advocate, Bristol District Attorney’s Office
Access to Justice Award Vilma Lora, YWCA of Greater Lawrence
Journalism Award Laurel Sweet, Boston Herald
2008 Length of Service Awards:
Twenty Five Years of Service Elizabeth Keegan, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Pam Friedman, Norfolk District Attorney’s Office
Twenty Years of Service Amy Law, Middle District Attorney’s Office Janice Johnson, Bristol District Attorney’s Office Deborah Fogarty, Attorney General’s Office Maureen Russell, Norfolk District Attorney’s Office Michael Glennon, Suffolk District Attorney’s Office
Fifteen Years of Service Jane Pierce, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Thomas Perron, Bristol County District Attorney’s Office Dottie Berrios, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Jacelyn Pichardo, Essex District Attorney’s Office Kathleen Draper, Essex District Attorney’s Office Jane Brennan, Norfolk District Attorney’s Office Sheila J. McCarthy, Hampden District Attorney’s Office Mary Marino, Hampden District Attorney’s Office Lori Roy, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office
Ten Years of Service Lynn McGovern, Plymouth District Attorney’s Office David Reback, Bristol District Attorney’s Office Cheryl Robinson, Bristol District Attorney’s Office Nikki Antonucci, Attorney General’s Office Janice Dean, Parole Board Denice Brine, Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office Joanne Szeto, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Christine O’Connor, Parole Board Lynne Hanko, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Lesia Schymonowsytsh, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Kara Grant, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Amy Snow, Essex District Attorney’s Office Nicole Moran, Suffolk District Attorney’s Office Marisela Ramirez, Suffolk District Attorney’s Office Jane Chevalier, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Debra Kierstead, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office
An excited crowd gathers in Gardner Auditorium at the start of the 2007 Victim Rights Conference.
Governor Deval Patrick addresses the crowd of 600 attendees, proclaiming April as Victim Rights month for the Commonwealth.
MOVA Executive Director Janet E. Fine welcoming First Lady Diane Patrick. MOVA was honored that Mrs. Patrick selected the Victim Rights Conference to be her first public appearance in several months. Her presence and support evoked a warm response from those in attendance.
Members of the Victim & Witness Assistance Board look on as Governor Patrick delivers his inspirational welcoming remarks.
MOVA Executive Director Janet E. Fine reflects on the collaborative work of MOVA and the Victim & Witness Assistance Board over the past year.
Governor Deval Patrick and First Lady Diane Patrick take a moment to review the materials provided at the Conference as they listen to one of the many speakers of the morning.
Yoko Kato, A VWAB Member and Domestic Violence Homicide Survivor, presents the Innovations Award to the Worcester Intervention Network (WIN), represented by Daybreak Director Ginger Navickas and Worcester Police Chief Gary Gemme. The award honors outstanding collaborative work on behalf of domestic violence victims. Lt. Governor Tim Murray was on hand to introduce the program staff and offer his support for their work and for victim services.
Lt. Governor Tim Murray offered words of support and pays homage to the WIN program. As the former Mayor of Worcester, the Lt. Governor knows first hand the importance of the WIN program's collaborative approach.
This year's recipient of the Gerard D. Downing Leadership Award, DOC Commissioner Kathleen Dennehy, poses with Senator Benjamin Downing (D-Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin). Sen. Downing in the son of the late District Attorney Gerard D. Downing. Commissioner Dennehy's leadership strengthened the Department's response to crime victims and their families through a number of innovative initiatives.
Senate President Therese M. Murray (D-Plymouth) receives her Legislative Advocacy Award at the Grand Staircase. The Senate President was recognized for her unyeilding support of victim services, particularly in her role as Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. The Senator pledged to closely monitor the progress of MOVA's legislation to enhance and strengthen the Victim Bill of Rights.
Stacy Branchini accepts the Special Recognition Award for Activism on behalf of the It Happened to Alexa Foundation. The Foundation provides financial support to victims' families to assist with travel and lodging costs so that they may be there to offer the victim support during court proceedings. The Foundation is named in honor of Stacy's daughter, Alexa, who had the courage to testify and help convict the rapist who attacked her.
Conference attendees enjoyed the inaugural Violence Transfored art exhibit, a collaborative effort which highlighted the transformative power of art and art-making as a response to violence.
As the afternoon awards ceremony winds to a close, members of the MOVA staff gather for a photo on the Grand Staircase.
