Larson, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce $300,000 to Support Mothers United Against Violence’s Victim Impact Project

Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin joined Mothers United Against Violence leaders Henrietta Beckman, Rev. Henry Brown, and Deborah Davis at their North End headquarters in Hartford, to announce $300,000 in new funding for their Victim Impact Project.Henrietta Beckman and Rev. Brown founded Mothers United Against Violence twenty years ago when Henrietta’s son Randall lost his life to gun violence.

“Standing on the frontlines of the fight against gun violence every single day, Mothers United Against Violence’s unwavering dedication to Hartford families is commendable,” said Larson. “This funding will directly support families impacted by the gun violence epidemic. It was my honor to champion their Community Funding Project request in Washington, D.C.”

“No parent should outlive a child, no mom should bury a son or daughter that is the result of unspeakable and preventable violence. This $300,000 grant is going to make a big difference in the lives of Hartford residents – allowing Moms United Against Violence to reach out to many more people who are going through an experience no one should have to endure,” said Blumenthal.

“This grant is happening because the merits of the application were impossible to ignore. The work that Mothers United Against Violence has been doing with almost no funding, almost no support has already been saving life after life after life,” said Murphy. “Changing the gun laws is not enough if you don’t give kids a pathway out of poverty and out of the cycle of violence. That's what Mothers does – not just breaking that cycle of violence, but giving kids an option for a different path.”

“Mothers United Against Violence is honored to be able to provide the necessary resources for underserved communities and to address the layers of trauma and PTSD which has existed for so many years and to specifically help individuals navigate through the criminal justice system,” said Mothers United Against Violence Co-Founders Henrietta Beckman, Rev. Henry Brown, and Deborah Davis, Program & Development Manager. “Congressman Larson truly understands the importance of making certain that all of his constituents require the necessary resources in order to be both effective and efficient in the work of violence intervention and prevention.”

“Mothers United Against Violence does extraordinary work in our community every day, and I’m grateful to Congressman Larson and our entire federal delegation for securing this funding to support that work,” said Mayor Bronin.  “The members of MUAV turn unimaginable grief into courageous action to help families heal from trauma, break retributive cycles of violence, and bring comfort to our community.  This funding, along with the substantial additional investments in community partnerships made possible by the American Rescue Plan, will make a real difference in our city.”

Rep. Larson worked with Mothers United Against Violence to help them apply for this Community Funding Project and successfully secured $300,000 with Senators Blumenthal and Murphy. The Victim Impact Project will provide trauma and PTSD support for families impacted by gun violence and assist them with navigating the criminal justice system.

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