Lexington Survivors Summit Brings Together Victims of Violence to Encourage Healing and Hope

Empowering Victims: Lexington Survivors Summit Enlivens Hope

LEXINGTON, KY, May 19, 2024

Hope and Courage Loom Large at Survivors Summit

In a bid to encourage healing through community support, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office organized its inaugural Survivors Summit in Lexington. This event was a poignant confluence of victims and survivors of violence who showcased their brave journey and the necessary measures for recovery.

Flowers Proffer Solace and Healing

Jordan Richie, a florist from Agape Fields, was at the event, filling the air with hope and healing with her handpicked flowers. “We want them to know that they have meaning and they have purpose,” Richie expressed, adding, “They’re not just what they’ve experienced.”

Guest Speakers Bolster Audiences with Hope

A critical talk came from Samantha Fuentes, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting that shocked Parkland, Florida in 2018. Fuentes spoke about her harrowing experience of the fateful day, serving as an inspiration to the fellow survivors.

Cheryl Birch, a mother involved in gun violence prevention efforts for 30 years, lost her son, Jermaine, to a tragic shooting in 2009. Speaking about the summit, Birch emphasized that such events equip victims with essential tools to recover from trauma.

Efforts Towards Healing

Organizations participating in the event voiced similar sentiments, stressing that healing is an extended process requiring time and awareness.

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The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was able to orchestrate this vital summit owing to a grant from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The event brought to the fore the important role of communities, organizations, and individuals in helping survivors navigate their paths towards healing.