PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) – Potter’s House International Church opened its doors Saturday to mourners and survivors.

“So many mothers are really hurting. Not only mothers, but also family and friends suffer from the loss of a loved one. We want to be part of this healing process,” said Pastor Clara Underwood Forman.

Forman held a candlelight vigil. She is a member of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justicean organization for victims and survivors of crime that advocates for change by raising their voices with state legislators.

“Part of our organization is working on policy to get different policies changed that will help survivors make this journey,” Forman said.

For one mother, the healing journey had just begun. She relied on the other survivors to help her through.

“I thought about my son, I thought about the last thing he said in my ear, the last thing he said on the phone, I thought about all that,” said said the mother of homicide victim Kany’e Stowers Tomeka Love.

Love said she came to the wake looking for ways to cope. Her son, Kany’e Stowers, 17, was shot dead April 8 in Bloomington.

“Tim, have patience and the word of God and take it easy. Talking to pastors and talking to other women has already made me feel better, just a little. I’m not there yet, but just hearing other people’s grief and their stories calms me down,” Love said.

Love believed she would take the biggest step toward recovery once her son’s killer was found.

“My son will not be a statistic. They will always remember the name Kany’e and I will make sure of that,” Love said.

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