My Story, as the child in a law enforcement family, and why I created The Legacy Project
I am the daughter of a retired Philadelphia Police Lieutenant and I first registered the unwarranted hate and resentment that people can have towards police officers in 2020, as I watched the riots play out on tv and social media.
It was during those heart wrenching days that I decided that I, as a civilian, would make a stand and do what I could to support our law enforcement. My next reality check came shortly thereafter when I started talking to police officers about their experiences and personal lives and I learned that many of our officers don’t know how to connect at home. They have to transition from a heightened state, potentially life threatening situations, and compounded traumatic events to putting their little ones to bed or sharing a moment with their partner. Of course they don’t know how to do that. It isn’t normal for their human minds and bodies.
My dad somehow mastered this and I don’t want to know what my life would look like if he hadn’t. My dad is my hero, my favorite person in the world and he always has been. With the support of my mom, who is my best friend, they curated a safe home of love and peace. I know this is not the case for many families, especially law enforcement families but my mission is to change that. This positive experience is something I want to help build for every law enforcement family across America.
A SPACE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILIES
As adults, it can be difficult to find “your people ''.
As someone in a law enforcement family, you have your own unique hurdles to overcome: increased exposure to traumatic incidents, ever changing schedules and frustrating leadership, the overtime trap, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and so many more situations to navigate.
I know you want to build a strong foundation for your family, a safe and calming place for everyone to come home to - you want a home of love, closeness, and connection. And you want support as you figure it all out.
THE LEGACY PROJECT is a positive environment for you to be seen and feel heard; to share your insights, get resources, and community. This will be a tight knit group of law enforcement families who are seeking more community and support from others who understand. We’ve all seen the negative communities, built out of misery and victim mentality.
This is not that. This is for law enforcement families who want to thrive, despite the obstacles and connect on a deeper level, building a true legacy for generations to come.
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Statistically, people who belong to a community experience better mental and emotional well-being, increased social support, and a stronger sense of belonging, which can lead to healthier and more fulfilling lives.
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As humans, we need community to thrive. However, that alone is not going to solve all of our problems. We also need tools and tactical guidance so in addition to the community and support, The Legacy Project will also have hand selected experts from the field host workshops throughout the program.
Some of these presentations will include:
- law enforcement family finances,
- marriage support
- handling alcohol or drug use
- communication around difficult topics
- having hard conversations as a family
- talking to your kids
- and more!
THE FAMILY UNIT
COMMUNICATION
Communication at home can be tricky to navigate. You may or may not be comfortable hearing about work stories and your spouse might need to get things off their chest at the end of the day. Beyond that, kids are always curious. They want to know what their parents did all day, they want to be part of the conversation.
BOUNDARIES
We will talk about deciding how much of what you do at work to talk about at home or what to leave behind, not wanting to over share with your kids but also wanting to be open and honest about what you are experiencing on a regular basis. Establish how to communicate and set boundaries with your spouse on the stories they share in a way that will benefit you both.
ENVIRONMENT
We will discuss building a safe and inviting home for everyone.
- A fun and joy filled home where you kids are free to play and be themselves.
- A calming place where you, as a law enforcement officer, want to come home to after a long stressful day of seeing the worst of the worst.
- A safe and comfortable haven for yourself, as someone married to a law enforcement officer and is juggling all the balls, holding everything together.
DECOMPRESS
Learn tools for officers to better understand how to transition from the job at home without having to isolate yourself to unwind from a heightened state.
Did you know that law enforcement kids can struggle in silence?
Law enforcement kids might be bullied or left out because of what their parents do for a living and how the media has spun things. At home, they might feel neglected or not seen by one or both of their parents because of the weight and time commitment to the job. They don’t usually have the vocabulary or knowledge to know that they need to speak up about their experiences and feelings. Or they may be scared; so, instead they struggle quietly. Or lash out. And one day you find yourself with a young person or young adult who wants nothing to do with you, your spouse, or home.
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We will bring in tools to help you better connect and communicate with your kids. How to start the conversation and open the dialogue so that they can express what they are experiencing. Your kids shouldn't live in fear and they definitely shouldn't experience any fear in private.
LAW ENFORCEMENT KIDS
BRIDGING THE GAP -
AT HOME
It breaks my heart to know that there are kids out there with real life heroes for parents but they can’t see it or they don’t personally feel it because when that parent comes home, the cape comes off and they disconnect from the people who love them most - their kids.
And as the other parent, you are stuck in the middle. You see the hurt in your kids eyes. You feel their disappointment when their hero doesn’t want to play with them or hang out with them after a shift.
Your heart hurts for your baby but you understand the burdens of the job. You have to walk a fine line, holding the family together and that is a burden of its own. One that you don’t have to walk alone. It is up to us, the adult generation, to work to close the gaps to ensure the next generation is set up for success and that begins with proactively taking care of ourselves and addressing family dynamics.
The Details
01.
Weekly Group Zoom Calls for Open Conversation
02.
Monthly expert guest speakers & workshops
03.
Supportive resources
04.
What’s App Thread for daily communication & community
05.
20% off our next event & Exclusive Beyond the Uniform Merch