Through the Trayvon Martin Foundation, Sybrina Fulton created the Circle of Mothers Restoration Weekend as a way to empower women and bring together mothers who have lost children or family members to senseless gun violence. Its purpose is to promote healing, empowerment and fellowship toward the larger aim of community building.
This year’s retreat was held in Fort Lauderdale, and approximately 150 mothers from across the U.S. who have lost a child to gun violence were invited to attend at no cost. The retreat was a therapeutic healing opportunity to bond and connect with other women with similar experiences. These women, who come from communities across the country, came together to engage in a simplified strategic planning session for the Circle of Mothers program. The goal was to proactively create a plan that could help prevent violent gun deaths and heighten awareness about how violent crimes impact society.
The issue is especially important to the South Florida community, where the level of gun violence within marginalized communities has increased significantly. Gun violence has resulted in the deaths of 61 over the past year alone.
Barry University’s School of Social Work has committed efforts to being a community partner to end senseless gun violence in our streets and communities.
For more information, visit http://trayvonmartinfoundation.org/