Clementina CheryIt’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone, and we will once again leave the comforts of our home and walk the streets of Dorchester to help spread Peace.

On Sunday, May 8, 2011, we will unite as a community to honor mothers, fathers, siblings and all those who have lost loved ones to violence. Together in common faith we will continue to make a difference in thousands of lives.

I want to thank everyone who has supported The Peace Institute and The Mother’s Day Walk over the years. Just a few weeks ago, on April 13th, we celebrated the birthday of my son, Louis Brown. He would have been 33 years old. My family and I took the day as a time of reflection. The rain was a sign that Spring had arrived, washing away the old and making room for the new birth. Setting the stage for the flowers to bloom and the grass to turn green.

On that day, I asked all of my friends and colleagues to honor Louis’ young life by considering the 7 Principles of Peace (Love, Unity, Faith, Hope, Courage, Justice & Forgiveness). At the Peace Institute, we use these 7 principles to guide us personally, professionally & spiritually on our journey toward Peace.

And on this day, as we prepare to embark on the 15th Annual Mother’s Day Walk, I ask you to choose ONE of these principles and create your own journey toward PEACE:
1)Love: Make a gift to the Survivors Burial Assistance Fund and help another family
2) Unity: Create a Mother’s Walk team in honor of your loved one or establish a virtual walk and help us to meet our fundraising goal
3) Faith: Be encouraging and not degrading to yourself and to others
4) Hope: Plan to attend a community event to support sibling survivors
5) Courage: Have the courage to give a stranger a compliment
6) Justice: Take time to look beyond the surface of the person you are judging
7) Forgiveness: Meditate on “the heart the holds forgiveness heals itself” then apologize to someone whom you may have hurt (physically or emotionally).

The continued support of our friends, families and neighbors has proved critical to the success of the Mother’s Day Walk. We expect nearly 5,000 people to walk with us this year and our goal is to raise $120,000.

The Walk takes place on the morning of Sunday, May 8 at Town Field Park in Field’s Corner. Registration begins at 7 a.m.; the Walk begins at 8:30 am and ends at 10:30 a.m. with a closing ceremony. Walkers are invited to walk all or just part of the 3.6 mile route. There is no registration fee and no fundraising minimum, but all Walkers and Volunteers are encouraged to raise as much as they can to help fund the programs of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute.

Please consider making an investment in peace. If each of last year’s walkers raises $25 in pledges, we will surpass our goal this year. There is still time register! If you do not want to walk you can create your own fundraising page and participate as a virtual walker. Visit our webpage at www.ldbpeaceinstitute.org for more information on how to register and donate.
We thank you, your families and friends, and we thank the survivors for allowing us in your life at your greatest time of need, we thank you for trusting and for showing that you care about the families in Boston.
Peace,
Clementina M. Chery,
President and CEO

The 15th Annual Mothers’ Day Walk for Peace is a fundraising walk to support the programs and services of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute of Boston, including Nationally Recognized Peace Education Curriculum for elementary, middle and high school students Crisis Management for families impacted by violence Survivors Leadership Academy Training for professionals dealing with families impacted by violence.