Louis D. Brown Peace Institute

The Peace Institute is a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss.

Our purpose is to transform society's response to homicide so all families impacted by murder are treated with dignity and compassion regardless of the circumstances. We work to create and sustain an environment where all families can live in peace and all people are valued.  

Our programs and services are grounded in the Center for Disease Control’s social-ecological framework that interventions are needed at multiple levels in order to interrupt cycles of violence.

For Families:

Survivors Outreach Services: Provides emotional and practical support for families in the first 24-72 hours after a homicide happens and ongoing advocacy.

Intergenerational Justice Program: Partnership with SPAN Inc. and VISIONS Inc. that provides coordinated support and guidance to families of murdered victims and families of people arrested and incarcerated for murder in order to create opportunities for healing, reconciliation, and accountability.

Leadership Academies:  Workshop series with separate tracks for families of murder victims and families of incarcerated people that focus on how to navigate the criminal justice system, access needed services, and advocate for your family and community. 

For Communities:

Pathways to Peace: Social-emotional learning tools for educators that foster a peaceful climate in the classroom.

Peace from Within: Multi-week course for incarcerated men to learn the foundations of living a peaceful life.

Peace-ing It Together: Training for white allies to deepen their commitment to peacemaking and gain skills to address racism and violence in their own communities.

 Peace Play: Healing technique for individuals and families to express and reflect on their struggles and strengths by creating scenes using miniature figures in a tray of sand.

 For Society:

Massachusetts Survivors of Homicide Victims Network: Statewide network of survivors working together to impact, inform, and influence public policy.

Serving Survivors of Homicide Victims Providers Network: Professional network for providers to build relationships, practice self-care, and increase capacity to deliver coordinated, consistent, and compassionate services when a homicide happens.

Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month (November 20-December 20)- A month-long effort to educate the public and policymakers about the impact of murder on families and communities and recognize the diverse contributions of the survivor’s movement.

Mother’s Day Walk for Peace: Annual fundraiser for families across the region to honor the lives of our loved ones who have been killed, celebrate the courage of community, and sustain the Peace Institute’s programs and services. 

The Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) – TTAC provides training, tools, and technical assistance to public health professionals and institutional stakeholders so that they respond equitably and effectively to families impacted by murder.