Victims and survivors of homicide in the Metro Atlanta area now have a new avenue for support, as the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. (POMC) has officially established its latest chapter. Cobb County announced the formation of the subgroup, which is set to hold its debut meeting at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Cobb Family Advocacy Center in Marietta.
The monthly gatherings, slated for the first Tuesday of each month, have garnered the support of major local law enforcement figures, including Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady, who emphasized the long-term commitment to those affected by such tragedies saying, "Our job in this community does not end when we prosecute people who commit murders; we continue to support the victims and survivors." Kim McCoy, Victim Witness Unit Director, along with other advocates have been instrumental by providing the structural support necessary to get the chapter up and running.
Heading the Metro Atlanta chapter is Nancy Aguilar, a mother who, with her husband Frank, experienced the harrowing loss of their son Jesse to homicide back in 2006, "We were devastated to lose our only son, but the support and resources we received from the POMC group helped us a lot," Nancy told Cobb County. The couple, having moved from California to Cobb County over a year ago, have expressed their dedication to providing similar support that they once found indispensable through the POMC network.
With this new chapter marks the introduction of the first POMC resource of its kind in Georgia, providing a beacon of hope for those walking the arduous path of grieving a loved one lost to violence. For individuals seeking support or additional information, details can be found on the main POMC website, ensuring that the outreach for those needing solace and guidance in the wake of homicide is but a few clicks away.
