The Forgiveness Project

Our Story

Our Story

Serving Communities Broken by Gun Violence

Jonathan Nelson, left, and Matthew Roberts pose for a photo in between buildings near the From the Heart nonprofit on January 14, 2023. Nelson shot Roberts at a party in 1998 and spend time in prison for…

Our Story

The Forgiveness & Resiliency Project is an organization born from a story of compassion and forgiveness. It began when a young teen made a grave mistake, committing an act of gun violence that irrevocably changed his life and that of another young man. The victim, left injured and traumatized by this senseless act, chose not to seek revenge or harbor anger towards the teen. Instead, he made the remarkable decision to forgive, recognizing the shooter as a fellow human being deserving of forgiveness.

This act of forgiveness sparked the creation of The Forgiveness & Resiliency Project, an organization committed to fostering peace, compassion, and forgiveness in communities ravaged by violence. They offer support and resources to those affected by violence and promote dialogue and understanding between victims and perpetrators.

The mission of The Forgiveness & Resiliency Project is to cultivate a more peaceful and compassionate world through education, advocacy, and support. They hold the conviction that forgiveness is a potent tool for healing and transformation, capable of breaking the cycle of violence plaguing many communities. This story not only demonstrates the power of forgiveness but also affirms the resilience and hope inherent in humanity.

Our Programs

Jonathan and Matt’s story alone is extremely inspiring. While sharing their story they take participants on a vivid journey of the evening of September 11 th , 1998. That night two paths crossed, and those paths are now intertwined in forgiveness and community. Jonathan and Matt are also available to sit down with small groups and explore a restorative approach to settling their differences.