The Many Victims of Violent Crimes

The Many Victims of Violent Crimes

There is the victim, and then there are those who love the victim, there are the officers who arrive on the scene and the service organizations and all the volunteers that are there after the crime when the families go back home with “a huge hole in their hearts”.

National Crime Victims Week is an opportunity for those of us who have remained on the outskirts of criminal violence to acknowledge the courage and the commitment of all the individuals who work together to support victims of violent crime…many of them either victims themselves or their lives impacted by violence committed on their .loved ones.

Ernest and Gina Matthews have, for 26 years, worked tirelessly to bring the many individuals, organizations and first responders together “to pour so much light and love into the lives of others”. Earnest Matthews lost his mother to violent crime back those many year ago and since her loss, he has given rose bushes  to victim survivors in honor of their losses and in honor of his mother who dearly loved roses. Thanks to his commitment to this cause, Earnest’s mother has spread her love all over Galveston County and with the coming of spring, her watchful eye blooms to remind these families of the love that can pour forth from the tragedy.

Organizations recognized last evening at the Candlelight Vigil that is the opening event of a week of recognizing all that goes into the fight to end violent crime and support its victims. Organizations recognized were BACA – Bikers Against Child Abuse – Houston and Gulf Coast Chapter and The Blue Knights, Galveston county Family Services, Galveston County Resource and Crisis Center, Viet Nam Veterans, UTMB Nursing Team, Galveston county Victim Assistance Director, Linda Telfah with Christina Garza,  Ashley Justice, Ambar Llanas and Sandra Rios.

These are just a few of the people who come together under the guidance and encouragement of  Earnest and Gina Matthews to continually, year after year, crime after crime, step up and acknowledge that they are present and ready to help in any way possible for those who are suffering