Voice Platform and Support Network for Families of Missing and Victims of Crime
What to do/share here ...
1. Share (if applicable) what Justice4 you are after ...
2. Share your area of "expertise" in how YOU can help make JUSTICE happen ...
(FYI! - this doesn't have to be a PhD ability - what you think might not matter, DOES! So please share it ... ex. do you have lots of facebook friends? have you acquired contacts within the field/s of media, political, advocates, etc.? are you a great brainstormer? are you an awesome prayer warrior? blogging skills?
WHATEVER it is ... please share below ... NOTHING is nothing)
We are all here for a reason ... you would not be here right now if you also didn't have something to ALSO give back.
All too often the injustices of life unfairly and without reason cast upon us also take from us our belief in ourselves and abilities ... after a while of being encountered and slammed down by countless shut, slammed and locked doors ... we are left feeling helpless and even worthless towards making any real change towards actually pursuing the justice we're after.
This doesn't have to be!
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HERE HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER BOTH YOURSELVES AS WELL AS EACH OTHER! YOUR ABILITY TO WORK WITH AND FOR EACH OTHER IS EXACTLY WHAT ALL OF THE JUSTICE SOUGHT FOR HERE IS IN NEED OF!
The administrator of this group, Don Ross (father of missing son, Jesse Ross) says it so much better than I ... so for the most part I am going to step away here ... because all of YOU - the ones truly fighting for JUSTICE4 ... YOU ARE THE EXPERTS!
IT TRULY TAKES A TEAM - LET'S BE THAT TEAM!!
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Permalink Reply by Jesse 'Opie' Ross on February 17, 2011 at 12:57am Looking to get our son back, or at least find out what happened to him. We have learned about working with the media, organizations, speaking in public, making friends and resources at the same time. And never ever ever giving up.
Permalink Reply by Jesse 'Opie' Ross on February 17, 2011 at 1:06am Sara, you are a dear friend and resource, no higher calling for a human being.
Permalink Reply by Sara Huizenga on February 17, 2011 at 1:09am
Permalink Reply by Sharon Garry on February 18, 2011 at 10:31am Never ever give up! Perserverance, persistance, insistance, awareness and staying alert is imperative!
Although there are times when your emotions overwhelm you, and you MUST get them out (dont bottle them up) You need to keep someone close who can be there for you when you need to vent, or when you need to rest and be nurtured. People who have been through what you are going through are ideal sounding boards because they will understand exactly how you feel and wont say stupid things!
Then, after you have released those emotions, Please rest and take care of yourself so that you can maintain your strength and emotional wellness. Whatever gives you strength, courage to go on! Spirituality, music, friendship, laughter, nature...take what you need to stay balanced!
When you are well balanced emotionally, you will have the room in your brain to be organized. Keep good records, dated notes, save emails, names, telephone numbers, etc. If you can get someone to act as your research assistant/web designer, or any other role that could be helpful to you in keeping things straight. Designate duties whenever possible. You are only one person, do not spread yourself too thin!
Treat the investigation details as much like a job (be professional) as possible. Sometimes you are going to want to jump to conclusions, or be hopeful about a pc of information, but it is really in your best interest to keep your head, save your energy and think of everything in as realistic and logical a way as possible. If you jump at every 'lead' that comes in like its going to be the pc to the puzzle you need to find your loved one, or solve your case, you will burn out! Try to stay calm and level headed.
Law Enforcement people, for the most part are horrible about dealing with human emotion. Historically and accross this nation, it has been my personal experience, and I have heard repeatedly that they do not handle emotional mothers, sisters, fathers or anyone...they dont like to waste time, they are not there to calm you down or get you a box of tissues. Try to stay cool with Law Enforcement so that they can do their jobs and so that they will not discount you as an emotional mess, and stop communicating with you. Your best chance of maintaining a relationship with the people investigating your missing person case or homicide, is to stay even tempered, and logical like they are. Give them leads, and understand that they will not always devulge the outcome of the follow up. They cannot take the slightest risk in a leak. They have to protect the integrity of the investigation in order for it to one day be valid in a court of law so that Justice can prevail!
Seek as much media and community support as possible, be creative when you need to so that you can keep the case stirred up and keep people alert so that thier eyes are wide open and looking for clues. Play on emotions, push buttons, be that squeaky wheel.
Dont take for granted how your communities are effected by a tragedy such as a missing person or homicide. They are your best allie in many ways, so dont be afraid to look to them for support and take them up on offers to help in any way they can. If they feel they have valid and helpful information, ask them to write it in an email (preferably) because it is a dated, timed record. Make sure the information that is given includes a way for LE to contact the person in case they have further questions.
That being said, people can also become a burden without realizing it. People will ask you how the case is going and about details of the case...please be careful about what you devulge, as you NEVER know who might be connected. You will also be tempted to use every possible resource available to you, including psychics and mediums. While I do not disagree with this, I will say that most of the time, the information obtained cannot be validated or followed up on by Law enforcement, until it is discovered to be true.
If you take the investigation into your own hands, and decide to search, or question possible witnesses, please keep in mind that you will have alot of trouble forgiving yourself if you do anything that jeapordizes your case. It is best to consult professionals and people who know what they are doing before making decisions that could alter your case, taint evidence, or cause a potential witness to be dismissed.
This is the most difficult, confusing and emotional event I have ever been through in my life. I have made mistakes and wish Id known ten years ago what I know now.
I hope this is helpful to anyone who can use what I have said here today, and I hope that if anyone has anything to add, or say, they will do so.
More than anything, Peace comes from within. Do whatever you can, so that you can find Peace through this very difficult process.
Permalink Reply by Christina Venita Quinton on February 18, 2011 at 9:52pm I try to post everything i get off peace4 on my facebook wall. Also, Jessie Opie Ross are you in Missouri and if so what city? Wondering because i live in Henryetta, Oklahoma im just wondering how close we are?
Permalink Reply by Sara Huizenga on February 22, 2011 at 11:54am Made a blog on google's blogspot for Justice4 to also post things from here on ... further maximize awareness of ... http://justice4thejustified.blogspot.com
Most recent post entry on ... http://justice4thejustified.blogspot.com/2011/02/no-evil-is-invinci...
Permalink Reply by Christina Venita Quinton on March 12, 2011 at 12:02am
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