Announcing the Resilient Roundtable and Other 2022 Updates for MidAtlantic Victim Services

By Robin Stimson, LCSW

As 2021 comes to a close, MADD Mid-Atlantic Victim Services has some new services and supports for 2022 and wanted to notify you about some of the changes to our current slate of resources and events. We are excited to announce a new schedule of workshops with the Living Legacy (LLF) that will include new topics on Children and Grief, Men and Mourning and Creative Expression in Grief.

Our victim services team has been hard at work for new events and services. We are proud to have collaborated with some of our fabulous MADD volunteers, to create and facilitate the upcoming panel entitled Resilient Roundtable: Loss of a Child. The Resilient Roundtable features MADD victims that will share and discuss their challenges, surprises and helpful coping mechanisms around their relational loss. The first roundtable topic will center on the loss of their child, and will take place on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 6 pm (EST). This virtual event will last about an hour and a half and speakers and participants are encouraged to connect with one another in this brave, but safe, therapeutic setting. In order to register for this panel, please click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/madd-mid-atlantic-resilient-roundtable-topic-loss-of-a-child-registration-196718108157

We hope that you’ll also save the date for the 2^nd Annual MADD Mid-Atlantic Candlelight Vigil which is set for Sunday, April 24, 2022. This year’s theme is Red Poppies, which are symbols of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future (we are also a fan of the MADD red color). The Candlelight Vigil will once again coincide with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 24-30, 2022. The 2022 NCVRW theme this is Rights, access, equity for all victims. Won’t you commit to joining us in April to honor your loved one?

An another update for 2022? We will continue to offer our MADD Mid-Atlantic Victim Services Support groups. However, we will now hold these sessions on a bi-monthly basis (i.e., every other month). After a break in December 2021 and January 2022, the support group sessions will begin again on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 from 6 pm to 7 pm, EST. The schedule for 2022 is (tentatively):

While we were disappointed that the Monthly Virtual Injured Survivor Support Group was suspended until further notice, MADD Mid-Atlantic and MADD National are committed to developing new resources for injured victims. This includes a possible dedicated injured survivor facebook page, an injured survivor upcoming Roundtable, and more. Our victim services team is taking a much needed break in order to recharge for the months ahead. Nevertheless, if you find that you need additional support during this difficult time of year, please let us know. We would be happy to connect you with free resources/referrals, a MADD peer support volunteer and of course, our 877.MADD.HELP line is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

In addition to the new topics, events and ways to connect, MADD Mid Atlantic Victim Services staff Robin Stimson and Alisa O’Neil look forward to offering new tools that could aid you on your healing journey. Please contact them and let them know what services and resources would be helpful to you and others in need.

Please be on the lookout for more information and links that will allow you to register and attend these sessions. We are so excited to provide this new resource to our victims and families. Be safe and Happy Holidays!