Who we are

Our mission is to break cycles of VIOLENCE AND POVERTY IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES. 

Our vision is to be a lifelong support system for co-victims of homicide, promoting resilience and empowerment through a range of innovative programs, resources and OUTREACH. 

  The Ashua-Highland Foundation (AHF) is a victim service provider and social change organization. We provide social and emergency lifeline services to families and children most impacted by violent crime. We offer families with at least one child who has lost a parent, sibling or close friend to gun violence services that include emergency financial assistance, emotional support counseling, basic necessities, and programs and services designed to mitigate the negative effects of trauma on adults and underaged secondary victims. Our programs include music, art, and nature therapy, as well as social-emotional and experiential learning programs designed to help release toxic stress (prolonged or extended stress), which negatively impacts brain development in children and teens. 

   The tragic, violent passing of a loved one or friend is a potentially traumatic event (PTE) or, in the case of children aged 0-18, an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that can have serious psychological and social consequences. 

   “Homicide co-victims,” also called "secondary victims" or “ homicide survivors,” are the family and friends of murder victims. It is estimated that approximately 33 million Americans will lose a loved one to homicide during their lifetime. An estimated 15% of adults (some 38 million Americans)  and 2 of 10 youths (about 14.6 million young people) report experiences of homicide co-victimization. In addition to friends, neighbors, and co-workers, each murder leaves behind an average of 7 to 10 close relatives. At AHF we believe that number is likely to be substantially higher in economically vulnerable communities. 

   The primary individual risk factor for youth violence is a history of violent victimization. The CDC estimates that 1 out of every 3 children who are victims of violence will at some point become perpetrators of violent crime. In 2019 60% of children in America experienced some form of violence in their homes, schools, or communities. Nearly 40% were direct victims of 2 or more violent acts, and 1 in 10 were victims of violence 5 times or more. That same year, 860 juveniles were arrested for murder or non-negligent homicide.

WHAT WE DO 

 Empowering Homicide Survivors through Positive Intervention  

At the Ashua-Highland Foundation, our core mission is to empower and support homicide survivors while also addressing the complex issue of gun violence within our communities. Our multifaceted strategy emphasizes holistic support, conflict resolution, and the application of social science and research. Here's an overview of our comprehensive plan:

Empowering Homicide Survivors through Positive Intervention:

Our foremost mission is to provide compassionate support and wraparound services to those who have lost a loved one to homicide. We understand the profound impact of such tragedies and offer a range of services to help survivors heal and rebuild their lives.

Positive Intervention to Prevent Gun Violence:

We believe in the transformative power of positive influence. Our plan includes:

Mentoring:  Connecting youth with experienced mentors to provide guidance, support, and positive role models.

Counseling:  Offering professional counseling services to address underlying issues, trauma, and mental health challenges that may arise from losing a loved one. 

Social-Emotional Learning Programs (SEL):  Implementing SEL programs in Ashua-Highland learning centers, schools and communities to enhance emotional intelligence, empathy, and conflict management skills.

Experiential Learning Programs (EL):  Providing hands-on learning experiences to expose individuals to new opportunities, interests, and skills, reducing the allure of violence and other criminal behavior.

Expressive Art and Nature Therapy Programs:  Promoting healing and empowerment through self-expression and reconnecting with nature.

Financial Literacy:  Empowering parents, guardians, and young people with financial knowledge to promote economic stability and reduce violence driven by desperation.

Vocational Training Opportunities:  Partnering with organizations that offer training and job placement assistance to enhance employment prospects and provide an alternative to crime and violence.

Conflict Resolution:

Effective conflict resolution is a cornerstone of our strategy. We focus on:

Training for Inividuals, Organizations and Communities:  Providing conflict resolution training to community leaders, organizations, concerned citizens and schools to prevent disputes from escalating to violence.

Social Science and Research:

We leverage data-driven insights to inform our efforts. Initiatives in this area include:

Change Lab - AHF's Gun Violence Periodicity Program:  Utilizing social science and research to identify patterns, root causes, and risk factors associated with gun violence. This informs the development of targeted interventions.

Community Engagement:

To amplify our impact, we engage the community through:

Community Workshops:  Hosting workshops and seminars to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and engage the public in discussions about gun violence prevention.

Collaborative Partnerships:  Working closely with local organizations, law enforcement, schools, and community members to create a united front against gun violence.

Our commitment to empowering homicide survivors and eradicating gun violence is unwavering. We believe that this comprehensive approach will create enduring change in our communities. And we hope that you will join us in our mission

WHO WE SERVE

At AHF we perceive the term "widow" (or widower) as a figurative and connotative   representation of any parent, caregiver, or spouse who is left to grieve the loss of a loved one while also fulfilling their role as a caregiver to surviving child(ren). It signifies the emotional and practical challenges faced by those who have lost a family member to violence. 

At AHF the "fatherless child" is the child who has lost any one of their parents, a sibling, or a close friend to homicide. While the term acknowledges that most murder victims in the United States are African American males between the ages of 16 and 45 years old and the profound impact of this statistic on the traditional family structure, to which fatherhood is critical, it also highlights the vulnerability and emotional turmoil experienced by children who have suffered a violent loss of any kind. 

Cycles of violence are an intricate and deeply concerning issue, affecting not only the victims but also those who perpetrate harm. In the context of understanding these cycles, it is vital to acknowledge that, over time, individuals often alternate between roles as victims and perpetrators. The well-known aphorism "hurt people hurt people '' encapsulates the essence of cyclical violence, shedding light on its origins and underscoring the importance of programs that address the root causes of violent crime, and focus on empathy, reconciliation, and rehabilitation rather than punishment alone for those who commit acts of violence. When we consider that approximately 90% of convicted felons return to the communities where their offenses occurred, with many lacking the family and community support necessary to avoid re-offending, it becomes imperative that we acknowledge an aphorism that many of us may be less likely to admit – "trauma exists on both sides of the gun."

 We believe in the adage that hurt people hurt people. Studies have shown consistently that today's victim is at a high risk of becoming tomorrow's offender. We believe that if as a society we fail to meet the needs of either of the aforesaid tripartite, we fail to address the root issues that perpetuate cyclic violence in our homes and communities. We believe that a concentrated effort to facilitate regeneration and change in the lives of these three individuals is the panacea for healing our broken communities.