Voices of Victims is a non-profit organization that helps victims of violent crimes navigate through the complicated and often intimidating criminal justice system in Colorado.

Joe and Kaye Cannata's, daughter, Lynn, was stabbed to death by her boyfriend, Lawrence Garcia, in front of her 2-year old son, Matthew. Lynn was also 61/2 months pregnant with Lawrence's child that early morning, July 2, 1987.

In September, 1988, after being convicted of 2nd degree murder, Garcia was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Joe and Kaye thought that is was all over for now and they wouldn't have to deal with it again until he had served his 24-year sentence. Nothing was further from the truth.

For the next 18 years, Joe and Kaye faced the labyrinth that is Colorado's criminal justice system. Their case went to the Appeals Court, then to the Supreme Court. After multiple hearings, the conviction was upheld.

Eight years after Lynn's murder came the parole hearings, the half-way house hearings. For the next 10 years Joe and Kay wrote letters and attended 5 parole hearings and countless half-way house hearings just to keep Garcia in prison to serve the sentence that was imposed on him.

Lawrence Garcia walked out of prison on October 25, 2006, a free man, after serving the maximum 18 years of a 24-year sentence because of Colorado's "earned good time."

The Cannata's formed Voices of Victims, the first non-profit organization that provides post-sentencing advocacy and support to victims of violent crimes. Voices of Victims provides information on the post-sentencing process, accompanies victims to the hearings, and gives financial support when needed for travel, lodging and meals to enable the victim to attend all the relevant post-sentencing hearings.

Through Voices of Victims Joe and Kaye serve the victims we read about in our daily Colorado papers, the high-profile victims and the truly voiceless victims who have no one else to speak on their behalf. From the tragedy in their lives, they successfully had several victim rights laws passed including "Lynn"s Law ", named after their daughter, that assures that violent offenders serve 75% of their sentence before being eligible for parole.

Please consider giving one of the $1,000 grants that "YourHub" is offering to the Denver community. Your dollars will be well-spent and greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

P. A. Armijo

10555 W. Jewell Ave #7-301

Denver, CO 80232

303-596-1769

On behalf of:

Voices of Victims

PO Box 102710

Denver, CO 80250-2710

303-733-7800