The public is invited to attend a free presentation by Lynn Shiner, coauthor of the book “Stabbed in the Heart,” 10 a.m., Friday, March 28, in the auditorium of the Penn State Beaver Student Union Building.
The program is cosponsored by Crisis Center North, Pittsburgh. Shiner’s two children were murdered, as was the only child of coauthor Nancy Chavez. Shiner’s husband killed their children, Jen and Dave, and then committed suicide. Chavez’s daughter, Randi, was killed by Randi’s husband and his accomplices, all of whom were sentenced to life without parole. With the help of journalist and coauthor Nancy Eshelman, the women decided to write the book as a way to educate the public about children who are murder victims while raising awareness of the issue and dealing personally with their losses.
Shiner is the director of the Office of Victims’ Services with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. She has 35 years of experience in state government and has turned the Victims Compensation Assistance Program into a national model through streamlining processes, legislative changes, and technology enhancements that ensure the program is victim-centered. She received the National Crime Victim Service Award in 2004 from Attorney General John Ashcroft.
Chavez, who also is a victim of domestic violence, organized the 5K Run/Walk for Hope and Courage, which has raised more than $271,000 to provide support for victims’ families. In addition, she established Randi’s House of Angels to assist children and families who are exposed to or are victims of domestic violence. She also sponsors a three-day camp to empower children who have experienced domestic violence. She is a trained mediator for victims of violence for the Pennsylvania Department of Correction and is featured in the Pennsylvania Commission for Women's book, "VOICES - African American and Latina Women Share Their Stories of Success.”
Eshelman spent most of her career at The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, where she was a reporter, editor, and columnist. She is the recipient of awards from The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association and The Associated Press Managing Editors. She has taught at Temple University, Penn State Harrisburg, and Lebanon Valley College and currently teaches part-time at York College of Pennsylvania.
For information about the women and the book, visit http://www.rjdblessings.com. For information about domestic violence prevention and victim support, contact Crisis Center North at http://crisiscenternorth.org, or call the hotline at 412-364-5556 or call toll-free at 866-782-0911.