A message from MACDA President, Edward Anthony Colozzi

October 27th, 2023:

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of our NEC (New England Consortium-NCDA State CDAs) we share our heartfelt condolences for the victims, families, loved ones and all Maine residents affected by the mass shooting tragedy that started unfolding on October 25, 2023, in Lewiston, ME.

Sadly, our New England region, and our country, have experienced frequent, and yet always shocking and tragic news about gun violence and mental health related to individual and mass shootings. Examples in our NEC region include mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School-Newtown, CT-12/2012; Boston Marathon Bombing MA-4/2013; mass shooting in Lewiston, ME-10/2023; shootings in Johnson, RI-5/2023; shooting in Concord, NH-4/2022; shootings in Barre, VT- 8/2015. Additionally, VT was recently ranked very high in gun violence and one of the highest ranked states regarding suicide and gun violence.

These tragedies often involve inadequate attention and treatment to mental health needs, as well as individuals’ access to legal and illegal firearms. All of us as stakeholders residing in local communities, as well as members of state and federal entities, must fix this huge dilemma and crisis for all of our communities, our nation and our common humanity.

Please keep our sisters and brothers in Lewiston, ME in your thoughts and prayers.

The Massachusetts Career Development Association