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| Maria Almonte-Weston, BCS Project Director |
On Saturday November 24, 2012 I was present when Maria Almonte-Weston, Project
Director of Bronx Community Solutions, and Sharon Ife Charles, Citywide
Anti-violence Coordinator for the Center for Court Innovation, spoke at an
inaugural event sponsored by W.A.V.E. (Women Against Violence Everywhere).
W.A.V.E. is the brainchild of Cynthia Thompkins, J.D., and is an initiative created on the premise that
communities that experience trauma must find ways to heal themselves, and furthermore women can be agents that facilitate that healing.
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| Cynthia Thompkins, J.D., founder of W.A.V.E. |
One of the goals of W.A.V.E. is to empower
women with voices so that they may speak out against violence. This event brought together women
from different walks of life. Some were survivors, mothers who lost children to
violence, witnesses of violence and others have worked with women with a
history of violence.
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| State Senator Gustoff Rivera delivering the welcoming speech |
State Senator Gustoff Rivera delivered the welcoming speech where he expressed
his support of W.A.V.E and the work it aims to accomplish. Maria and
Sharon each spoke about the broad spectrum of violence, the effect that it has
on families and the important role women can play in the healing process. Cynthia
Shields, a mother who lost her son to gun violence, shared her story of how this
act of violence affected her and her family, as well as the
continual healing process she goes through every day.
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Sharon Ife Charles, Citywide Anti-Violence Coordinator, CCI
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After the speakers, two amazing artists performed spoken
word and sang beautiful songs about strength, courage and wisdom of women. Not
only did the participants have an opportunity to enjoy music and poetry but a professional photographer and his cosmetology staff were there to give
the participants a make-over and take professional
pictures.
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| W.A.V.E. participants in the customized photo shoot |
This event represented strength and empowerment to the women who
plan to participate and carry the torch of healing back to their Bronx homes and
Communities.
-- T.K. Singleton, Coordinator of Community Initiatives
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