Below are resources for homicide survivors and victims of gun violence in Cook County, Illinois. Additional state and national resources are listed.
County/Local/State Services
Cook County Victim Witness Assistance Unit
Offers services to victims and witnesses in the areas of advocacy and court support to crime victims who are involved in criminal cases that are being prosecuted by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The unit also hosts three in-person homicide support groups and one virtual group. These groups are open to all homicide survivors in Cook County.
Visit the website to view the homicide support group schedule.
Evanston Victim Services
Provides social services to crime victims and witnesses and to Evanston residents seeking social service assistance in non-crime situations.
Illinois Statewide Victim Assistance (SVA) Program
The Crime Victim Services Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office serves victims of crime by administering various programs that directly benefit victims of crime, including those that assist victims with the financial burden resulting from injuries of crime and that assist local crime victim service programs. The Division offers information, resources and financial assistance to crime victims and the organizations that assist them.
Visit the website to learn more about Crime Victim Compensation.
Community Organizations
Chicago Survivors
Chicago Survivors offers crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and comprehensive referral services to surviving family members of Chicago homicide victims.
Visit the website to request support, or call their free crisis hotline at 877-863-6338 to speak with someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Life Without My Child
The support group Life Without My Child meets on a regular basis in Evanston, Illinois. It is made up of parents who have suffered the loss of children from such tragedies as illness, automobile crashes or violence.
For more information, visit their Facebook group or email lifewithoutmychild2021@gmail.com.
Mothers OnA Mission 28
Mothers OnA Mission 28 supports Chicago area survivors and their connected communities. They provide a free confidential bi-monthly support group for families who have suffered loss through violence facilitated in a restorative healing forum.
Visit the website to learn more, or email mothersonamission28@gmail.com.
Never Forget Chicago
Never Forget Chicago is a cornerstone initiative of The Emcays Philanthropies NFP (501 c3). The project uses the act of remembrance as a tool to provide reconciliation and restorative transformation. Since 2013 Never Forget has focused on healing the hurt and battered individuals affected by violence through individualized dedications and providing a space of sanctuary, healing and community.
Visit the website to request a tribute for victims of violence in Chicago.
Padres Ángeles Chicago
Padres Ángeles Chicago es una organización que promo eve paz en Chicago. Trabajan con familias en riesgo o no, dando información acerca de todos las ayudas que proveen diferentes agencias alrededor de Chicago, y trabajan conjunto con los grupos comunitarios como El Grupo Consuelo que está formado por padres que han perdido un hijo por causa de la violencia.
Go to Facebook Page / Ir a la página de Facebook
National Organizations
Crime Survivors for Safety & Justice
Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) is a national network of crime survivors joining together to create healing communities and shape public safety policy. They currently have active chapters in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Texas.
The Illinois chapter has several active CSSJ groups, including in Chicago, Rockford, Peoria and East St. Louis.
Stay Gold Movement 