on Sunday. Cool and dry weather is expected for the start of next week. A NEW MONUMENT WAS DEDICATED TODAY — THAT MARKS A MAJOR CHAPTER IN THE JOURNEYS OF HEALING FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD NEGLECT AND ABUSE. NBC5 NEWS HAS BEEN CLOSELY FOLLOWING PROGRESS ON THE MONUMENT TO PEOPLE WHO USED TO LIVE AT THE LONG- CLOSED ST. JOSEPH’S ORPHANAGE IN BURLINGTON. NBC5’S YAMUNA TURCO WAS THERE FOR TODAY’S DEDICATION, WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY SURVIVORS AND MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS. <clapping> THE EVENT STARTED WITH A DEDICATION TO ALL THE SURVIVORS WHO HAD PASSED AWAY. ORGANIZERS SAID THEY HOPED THE art installation in KIESLICH PARK will be PARK will be able to PRESERVE THEIR MEMORY…while encouraging HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. <brenda hannon, voice of st joseph’s “all of you were the engine to carry us on this train to this memeorial, healing space of hopes and dreams for the SURVIVORS WHO ATTENDED SAID THAT IT WAS A DIFFICULT DAY… AND ALTHOUGH the ceremony BROUGHT UP PAINFUL AND UPSETTING MEMORIES, THEY ARE GLAD TO BE MOVING forward alongside A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. <we will be remmebered”> MARY JANE AND DANA ARE TWINS WHO HAD BEEN SEPARATED BY THE ORPHANAGE . THEY ATTENDED THE EVENT WITH THEIR SISTER DEBORAH. who they HAD NEVER MET BEFORE THE DEDICATION.. <mary jane, dana, deborah “i was looking forward ot meeting deborah , this is our first time together. so meeting deborah plus this memory has been very overwhelming for me… going through the process after this afternoon, i can have an open mind and a clear mind and never forget any of this but i can put it to rest.”> AFTER THE RIBBON CUTTING AND DEDICATION , SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE INVITED TO WALK UNDER THE ARCHWAY WHILE ORGANZIERS BLEW BUBBLES… SYMBOLIZING CHILDREN WHO DIDN’T HAVE THE CHANCE TO GROW UP. AND ALONG THE PATH ARE INSCRIPTIONS OF THIE
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On Sept. 5, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Kieslich Park in Burlington — it marks a major chapter in the journeys of healing for survivors of childhood neglect and abuse who lived at St. Joseph’s Orphanage.NBC5 News has been closely following progress on the monument to people who used to live at the long-closed St. Joseph’s orphanage in Burlington. The event started with a dedication to all the survivors who had passed away. Organizers said they hoped the art installation in Kieslich Park would be able to preserve their memory, while encouraging hope for the future.”All of you were the engine to carry us on this train to this memorial, healing space of hopes and dreams for the children of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” said Brenda Hannon, an organizer with Voices of St. Joseph’sSurvivors who attended said that it was a difficult day. However, they said that although the ceremony brought up painful and upsetting memories, they are glad to be moving forward alongside a supportive community.Mary Jane and Dana are twins who had been separated by the orphanage. They attended the event with their sister Deborah, whom Mary Jane had never met before the dedication.”I was looking forward to meeting Deborah, this is our first time together. So, meeting Deborah plus this memorial event has been very overwhelming for me,” said Mary Jane.Her brother, Dana, said he is looking forward to moving forward with the support of the Voices of St Joseph’s community. “Going through the process after this afternoon, I can have an open mind and a clear mind; I will never forget any of this, but I can put it to rest,” Dana said.After the ribbon cutting and dedication, survivors and their families were invited to walk under the archway while organizers blew bubbles. This was to symbolize children who didn’t have the chance to grow up.Along the path are inscriptions of their stories, documenting the pain people experienced, and encouraging a healing path forward.
On Sept. 5, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Kieslich Park in Burlington — it marks a major chapter in the journeys of healing for survivors of childhood neglect and abuse who lived at St. Joseph’s Orphanage.
NBC5 News has been closely following progress on the monument to people who used to live at the long-closed St. Joseph’s orphanage in Burlington.
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The event started with a dedication to all the survivors who had passed away. Organizers said they hoped the art installation in Kieslich Park would be able to preserve their memory, while encouraging hope for the future.
“All of you were the engine to carry us on this train to this memorial, healing space of hopes and dreams for the children of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” said Brenda Hannon, an organizer with Voices of St. Joseph’s
Survivors who attended said that it was a difficult day. However, they said that although the ceremony brought up painful and upsetting memories, they are glad to be moving forward alongside a supportive community.
Mary Jane and Dana are twins who had been separated by the orphanage. They attended the event with their sister Deborah, whom Mary Jane had never met before the dedication.
“I was looking forward to meeting Deborah, this is our first time together. So, meeting Deborah plus this memorial event has been very overwhelming for me,” said Mary Jane.
Her brother, Dana, said he is looking forward to moving forward with the support of the Voices of St Joseph’s community.
“Going through the process after this afternoon, I can have an open mind and a clear mind; I will never forget any of this, but I can put it to rest,” Dana said.
After the ribbon cutting and dedication, survivors and their families were invited to walk under the archway while organizers blew bubbles. This was to symbolize children who didn’t have the chance to grow up.
Along the path are inscriptions of their stories, documenting the pain people experienced, and encouraging a healing path forward.
