S.H.A.R.E.S.
Surviving Homicide’s Aftermath – Resources, Education, & Support
South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center provides free, confidential counseling and advocacy in Plymouth and Bristol Counties to family and friends of homicide victims, as they seek hope and healing from their loss. Referrals come from various sources, including DA and law enforcement offices, area social workers, hospital staff, funeral homes, word of mouth, in addition to other providers. Regular home visits, office appointments, meetings at “neutral sites” (e.g., local coffee shops), and accompaniment throughout the trial process are offered, as well as group meetings. Clients are directed to collaborative services that can help alleviate the impact of traumatic grief and suggest strategies for coping with its challenges. SHARES welcomes children through its HEART program (Healing, Education Arts – Reconnecting Together) and is funded through MOVA, the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance.
About S.H.A.R.E.S.
Surviving Homicide’s Aftermath – Resources, Education, & Support
SHARES operates under the premise that in the worst of circumstances, each of us is capable of rising from the ashes of unspeakable trauma. We need to be encouraged, listened to, believed, supported, praised, and guided. With S.H.A.R.E.S., survivors can discover an understanding of their experiences, acceptance of their feelings, relief from their agony, and hope in their despair. No expectations are imposed; your confidentially is maintained, and every effort is always made to accommodate participants.
Making sense of what happened to us can sometimes be an exercise in futility. Finding answers for questions that prove relentless and unanswerable frequently intensify our pain. But, methods for coping and persevering can be tried and victories won. Sympathy for the wounds of others can be enlarged, love for those around us increased, gratitude for what is good enhanced, insight deepened, and commitment to what truly matters strengthened.
“Healing can be a lonely, lifelong process,” writes Earl Grollman, a pioneer in the study of death and dying. For survivors of homicide victims, he advises, “Understand that you are not the offender. There is no earthly reason to feel guilt or blame for this crime. As much as you may sometimes be tempted, do not build a wall around yourself. You will remain alone only if you do not reach out to the many resources within you and around you.”
Continuum of services include:
- crisis intervention
- individual & family counseling
- support groups
- advocacy
- case management
- support thru the trial process
- help accessing benefits:
- transitional assistance
- victims’ compensation
- food stamps
- housing
- transportation
Services are offered:
- on-site at our locations
- in your community
- in your home
About H.E.A.R.T.
Healing, Education, Arts, Reconnecting Together
H.E.A.R.T. is the children’s program derived from S.H.A.R.E.S., which works with the children in hopes they will learn to love, trust, and get in touch with their emotions. Children become involved in a lot of activities, including art projects and taking walks, while building new relationships and moving forward to surviving a “new way of life.”
When a child experiences grief, it is important to be honest and provide the child with the opportunity to be included in the grieving process, e.g., attending the funeral and other ceremonies. Additionally, suggesting that the child’s “sister has gone to sleep” can be very confusing.