A Dorchester Mother's Grief Becomes Mission To Help Prevent Violence

In 2001, Janet Connors heard a knock upon her door. Her 19-year-old son, Joel, had been stabbed to death in is apartment. Four young men, between the ages of 18 and 20, were charged with the murder.

A new documentary "Circle Up" tracks the incredible journey of how two Boston women have turned their grief into something positive for the community, even going so far as to forgive some of their sons' murderers.

Now, these two women are using their experiences to help prevent more young people from being killed by holding peace circles — special dialogues about what happened and how it's affecting them.

The documentary "Circle Up" premiers Saturday afternoon at the Brattle Theatre, as part of the GlobeDocs Film Festival. Find other screenings here.

Janet Connors, social justice activist whose son, Joel Turner, was killed in a 2001 home invasion.