Michaela Petit Inspires New State Flower

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has signed legislation to honor Michaela Petit's life by establishing a children's state flower in her name.

The 11-year-old Cheshire girl and her 48-year-old mother and 17-year-old sister were murdered in a shocking home invasion in July 2007.


Michaela also coined the Petit Family Foundation's "Be the Change" Mantra, via her Favorite quote on Facebook which was " You must be the Change that you wish to see in the world"

These words were originally spoken by Mahatma Gandhi, and came to the attention of the State and far beyond when it was discovered that at a mere eleven years old Michaela Petit had the sensitivity idealism and kindness of a much older soul.

The www.Petitfamilyfoundation.org is a non profit organization that was formed in the wake of the home invasion that took Michaela her sister Hayley and her mother Jennifer's lives in July 2007.

P.F.F sponsors many now annual events that benefit victims violent crime people suffering with chronic illness such as Multiple sclerosis as well as giving scholarships to girls and women especially in medicine and the sciences. Lone survivor Dr.William  Petit was an endocrinologist, his wife Jennifer a pediatric nurse and Hayley was about to enter her first year of school at Dartmouth where she was planning to be a doctor like her dad.

Milford Police Officer's Death Ruled A Suicide

 The Milford Police Department received notification from the State of Connecticut Medical Examiner’s Office Monday afternoon regarding the cause of death in the investigation of the death of off-duty Milford police officer Michael Compare.


“It was determined that Michael Compare died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. On behalf of Chief Keith L. Mello and the Milford Police Department, this day is a tragic loss for the family; friends and community Michael belonged to and so proudly served. We thank you for your kind words and support regarding Michael. Michael will be greatly missed,” the Police Department said in a statement.

Great Program and Website for Cessation of interpersonal Violence

 

.Futures without violence 

Transforming Men and Boys to End Violence Against Women

Title: Transforming Men and Boys to End Violence Against Women
Date Recorded: Thursday, May 7th, 2015

• See the webinar recording 
• Download the webinar slides

Description: As we develop a deeper and more complex understanding of the underlying root causes of violence against women and children, we have been challenged to examine our current approaches to engaging with men and boys. Understanding male socialization and the history of childhood exposure to violence and trauma is critical to our ability to develop prevention and intervention responses that are humanistic & compassionate and don’t minimize responsibility. Our presenters share their passion for creating change, taking risks and believing in the possibility of healing and transformation for all.
Learning Objectives:

1. Expand our understanding of the broader impact of male socialization and trauma on women, men and children.
2. Increase knowledge and techniques for applying a compassion and accountability framework to engaging with men and boys.
3. Explore promising multicultural intervention and prevention approaches to engaging with men and boys.

Speakers:

• Juan Carlos Areàn, Director of the National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities, a project of Casa de Esperanza
• Erik Bringswhite, Youth Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Trainer, Community Engagement, Youth and Adult Diversion
• Terri Strodthoff, Founder and Executive Director, Alma Center, Inc.
• Sam Simmons, SAFE Families Manager, Be More Project and Healing Generations

Get involved

• Sign up for our Action eList!
• Advocate for Change 
• Join us on Facebook and Twitter
• Donate
• Explore our Resources 
• Contact us 

Resources

• Defending Childhood Website 
• Preventing Violence: A Review of Research, Evaluations, Gaps, and Opportunities
• Children and Domestic Violence Fact Sheet Series (2015) from NCTSN
• Talking to Teens About Dating Violence and Healthy Relationships: A Guide for Parents 
• Fact Sheet: Children Exposed to Violence from NCJFCJ 
• Promoting Resiliency Infographic
• 16 Trauma-Informed, Evidence-Based Recommendations for Advocates
• Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey
• Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Healing the Invisible Wounds: Children's Exposure to Violence
• Policy and Practice Responses to the Adverse Childhood Experience Study
• Resources for Parents of Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
• Fact Sheet: Emerging Issues Facing Teens and Tweens

Black Church/ Pastor Shooting Probable Hate Crime

Connecticut police are investigating the possibility that the Memorial Day drive-by shooting of a Hartford pastor was a hate crime.
Rev. Dr. Augustus Sealy was shot three times while planting flags outside First Church of Nazarene at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.
Sealy is being treated at an area hospital for gunshot wounds to his shoulder and leg and is expected to survive.
Police have not yet identified a suspect and are investigating whether Sealy was targeted.

WFSB

Augustus Sealy, 54, pastor of the Hartford First Church of Nazarene, was shot and has remained strong, said his wife, Sharon.

"There were some statements made at the scene (by the shooter) that certainly keep the idea of a hate crime open," Hartford Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley told reporters Tuesday night.
Foley did not reveal what the gunman's words were and declined to specify why Sealy may have been shot.
"We respect our victims quite a bit and it's far too early ... to speculate" on the motive, Chief James Rovella said, according to the Hartford Courant.
Authorities are also reviewing whether Sealy's shooting was related to another one just 15 minutes later. That victim, 27-year-old Robert Jones, of Hartford, is in serious condition.
Police said they are looking for a black Nissan or Honda sedan from which shots were fired at both scenes.

Previous Next

• 
• 

Enlarge

WFSB

Sealy was shot while planting flags outside his church on Sunday.

Hartford residents gathered in a vigil Tuesday night to honor Sealy, whom they said is well-liked and caring.
Sealy's wife, Sharon, said her husband is in pain but has remained strong.
"He hasn't lost any hope," Sharon Sealy told NBC Connecticut. "You know, this is something that happened that was really terrible and shouldn't have happened and we've already prayed for that person who actually committed the crime."








Pastor Shooting Possible Hate Crime