On the eve of Mother’s Day, Washington, DC was filled with a powerful and rare kind of beauty: one that blooms at the intersection of pain, remembrance, and hope.
The East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership (ERCPCP), in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) hosted the Healing Tea for Mothers Bereaved by Violence—a tribute to DC mothers who have lost children to violence, and a public recommitment to healing-centered community safety.
The Healing Tea wasn’t just a moment—it was a movement. It marked the resurgence of a once-powerful collaboration between ERCPCP and MPD that played a pivotal role in reducing homicides across Washington, DC in the early 2000s.
With renewed vision and focus, ERCPCP is reviving its grassroots approach to violence prevention in DC by uniting faith leaders with public safety, government, and likeminded partners to affirm the unshakable truth: We are better together.
Healing Through Commnity
Inside a carefully set room on the MLK Library Rooftop in Washington, DC, 100 guests were welcomed with live music, a lovingly arranged tea service, and curated moments of reflection. The air was thick with grace. One of the most moving moments was ERCPCP partner Carolyn Davis, who courageously shared her journey of loss and healing after her son Sheldon—her rainbow baby—was taken at just 20 years old. Standing one day away from the ninth anniversary of her son's passing, Carol encouraged a room of newly grieved moms and their supporters. She shared transparently about her pain and tools for coping through community.
Community-Led, Community-Filled
The tea showcased what is possible when DC public safety efforts are designed in collaboration with faith-based and community-based organizations, trauma-informed leaders, and cultural practitioners.
ERCPCP was proud to spotlight the incredible contributions of the businesses who helped bring the event to life:
- @AmasCateringExperience– Chef Ama, Tea Time Curator
- @BenjaminGates0– Benjamin Gates, Live Cellist
- @TheSeanAndFriendsExperience– Sean Isler, Live Saxophonist
- First Impressions R US– Olivia Henderson, Live Painting Instructor
- @RistasOnMLK– Rita’s on MLK, Water Ice Soiree Sponsor
The program and collaborations speak to the ethos of ERCPCP’s next chapter: growth requires all of us.
From Tragedy to Transformation: A Mental Health Focus
Held during Mental Health Awareness Month, the Healing Tea also reflects ERCPCP’s growing commitment to addressing the root causes of violence in Washington, DC—particularly in areas east of the Anacostia River. By shifting its strategic focus to community wellness, violence prevention, and trauma-informed care, ERCPCP is evolving into more than just a faith-based crime prevention group. It is becoming a village restorer.
Join the Movement: Better Together DC
The Healing Tea marked a fresh start and set the tone for a year of meaningful gatherings, leading up to the Better Together DC Gala & Awards on November 1, 2025, where we will celebrate 25 years of impact and the community we're building together.
📥 Become a Sponsor at www.ercpcp.org and stay connected @ercpcp.