Love-focused group creates healing haven for gun violence survivors in Prince George's County

HYATTSVILLE, Md. — With more and more young people experiencing some level of violence in DC and Prince George's County, one group is creating an escape where they can heal their trauma through love and forgiveness.

The Love More Movement set up a center in Hyattsville 10 years ago to be a resource for the community.

Located in an industrial park, it's unassuming from the outside -- marked only by one sign with the group's namesake and another that says, "Safe Zone: The community has agreed that no violence will take place inside this community. This zone is a safe and brave space for healing from past trauma."

It's the brainchild of Dr. Bruce Purnell, a psychologist who founded The Love More Movement.

“A caterpillar becoming a butterfly -- the idea of transformation. That’s the whole theme of it all," he said.

Now, they're looking to rejuvenate and refocus their mission with the center.

“This is a 2.0," Dr. Purnell said. "We're letting go of what wasn't so impactful. And with the most impactful things, like we just focus in on those, so our niche is healing and transformation.”

To promote said transformation, they have rooms for meditation, another room for art, and a studio to make music.

The latter is a specialty of his newest hire -- Youth Director Martin Bond.

“[My goal is] to spark the creativity, accelerate the healing process and getting children started on a healthy lifestyle.”

For one of his careers -- he works in sound in the music industry, but he's developed a passion for helping gun violence survivors.

“I don't believe you grow up in DC and live in DC without losing somebody through gun violence," he said.

Bond found out about Love More life coaching through the DC Peace Academy, which he graduated from in May.

"Unfortunately, [violence] starts at a younger and younger age, we're noticing now," he said. "So I believe having preventative measures and getting more involved in the kids' [lives] at an earlier stage before they commit to certain lifestyles would be important for us to do right now.”

He said that Dr. Purnell inspired him, so when he was offered the opportunity to be a part of his healing community, he jumped at it.

"Being able to just be a bridge of little brother and big brother at the same time. And making making sure that the kids know that, you know, we care. That's really what they want to know. Do you care?" Bond said. "You know, if it's raining outside, do you have a hoodie for me? So you know, I think that even is a metaphor of some sorts -- all the kids wearing hoodies, because it's raining, and they're not trying to be seen, because they're not looking deeper into who they really are."

That's where Dr. Purnell and his team comes in.

“Violence is a lose, lose...and love is a win win for us, the community, and future generations," he said.

Dr. Purnell said they work with about 300 people a year from two-years-old to 94, and they hope to continue expanding.

“I have hope for the city," Bond said. "I believe that the city has an amazing light inside of us, and we just need to be able to show that.”

Bond said he is also working with his other DC Peace Academy graduates to set up a thinktank for the DC area, where they can pool each of their specialties and resources.

One of those resources will, of course, be The Love More Movement.