Memorial of Jodi & Matthew Rivera Domestic Violence Education Consortium

201 Lakeview Drive,Kissimmee FL 34741

21 June, 2021

Description

Launching and Memorial for Jodi & Matthew Rivera Domestic Violence Education Consortium Father’s Day, on June 21, 2020, both Jodi and Matthew Rivera were murdered by their husband and father. Jodi who spoke three languages was a very kindhearted wife devoted to her children, family, friends, and community. Anyone who had the opportunity to meet and visit her at home never left without a hot meal and take out, and calling her Momma Jodi. She worked as a real estate agent while enduring years of emotional abuse. Yet she always gave her best and expected the best from others. Matthew reflected his mother's grace and good spirit was starting his senior year of college where he maintained a 4.0-grade point average. He had already been accepted to be inducted into the Air Force as a commissioned officer. Despite living on the autism spectrum, he was High School Valedictorian and excelled in 3 sports as a star athlete. He was always kind, loving, and respectful which is why he defended his mother's honor when his father said disparaging words about her on that tragic morning. Jodi had planned to get up early to prepare a Father’s Day feast for her husband, family, and friends. The mayhem started after Jodi asked Matthew to tell his father to turn the music down so she could go to sleep; however things quickly spiraled out of control tragically ending their lives after being shot multiple times. Join us to launch this non-profit and commemorate the lives of Jodi and Matthew Rivera. One in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. In honor of Jodi and Matthew it is an honor for the board members to introduce this non-profit to serve the community in the prevention of domestic violence. We stand in solidarity to help reduce the root causes of domestic violence in families so that future generations can live without the damaging effects of abusive relationships caused by reoccurring cycles of child abuse, sexual assaults, and acts of domestic violence. While donations are deeply appreciated, we invite you to support this organization simply by having a conversation with someone about this hidden epidemic that's destroying families and communities since many victims continue to suffer in silence. We ask that you become those voices for Jodi and Matthew. Lunch will be served following the program.