LDPI WAS FOUNDED IN HONOR OF AND RESPONSE TO THE FATAL SHOOTING OF LOUIS, WHO WAS CAUGHT IN A CROSSFIRE SHOOTOUT NEAR HIS HOME IN DORCHESTER, MA IN DECEMBER OF 1993. DURING THAT TIME, THERE WERE NO  RESOURCES IN BOSTON FOR SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS OR THEIR FAMILIES. TODAY, THE PEACE INSTITUTE OFFERS SURVIVORS OUTREACH SERVICES, HEALING SUPPORT SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY RE-ENTRY SERVICES. THE GOAL OF THE INSTITUTE IS TO PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES, PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR VICTIMS, AND PREPARATION FOR  FORMALLY INCARCERATED PEOPLES, REDUCING THE COMMUNITY’S RATE OF RECIDIVISM.

THE CENTER FOR HEALING, TEACHING AND LEARNING HOUSES A MULTITUDE OF PROGRAMS ORGANIZED PER FLOOR. PUBLIC PROGRAM IS HOSTED ON THE GROUND FLOOR, LIKE THE COMMUNITY ROOM, CLASSROOM, NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHAPEL, AND LOUIS’ ROOM - A MEMORIAL REPLICA OF LOUIS’ BEDROOM FROZEN IN TIME FROM THE DAY HE WAS KILLED. THE SECOND FLOOR HOUSES SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND VICTIMS, LIKE COUNSELLING ROOMS, PRIVATE BATHROOMS WITH SHOWERS AND DRESSING AREAS FOR FOLKS ARRIVING DIRECTLY FROM INCARCERATION, AND A MULTI-PURPOSE YOGA STUDIO. THE THIRD LEVEL IS WHERE LDPI STAFF WORK, THEIR OFFICES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TOP FLOOR WITH EXPOSED TIMBER FRAMING AND INTEGRATED SKYLIGHTS.