To the Chicago Survivors Community,

I am honored to now serve Chicago Survivors as Interim Executive Director after providing over 15 years of direct service and mental health support to the community, specifically responding to the vital needs of our survivors. I appreciate everyone who has welcomed me as I transition into this new position, and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish as a community of support.

As someone who has personally experienced the pain and grief of losing a loved one to violence, it is my absolute privilege to help guide others through similar challenging chapters of their lives. It has been my mission to help surviving family members of homicide victims as they adjust to this new journey - living beyond loss. Today I am truly humbled and eager to continue delivering on that mission in this expanded role.

When I consider my own journey with Chicago Survivors, I think about all of the lives we’ve touched as a team and as a community. Our work has been a direct answer to Chicagoans’ call for a support system when dealing with an unfathomable tragedy. I look forward to leading the only organization that provides this level of comprehensive services to help our community heal from violent and sudden losses of loved ones, friends or family members.

While serving as Chicago Survivors’ Director of Clinical Services, I saw the effects of gun violence on some of our youngest, most impressionable survivors first-hand. No child should have to grow up without a parent. Helping them recover after such devastating and traumatic losses is something that propels me to continue doing the important work we do at Chicago Survivors.

I continue to be inspired by our staff’s dedication and willpower to further our mission. I could not think of a better group of individuals to work with, and I know we will grow Chicago Survivors’ impact in the year to come.

There is still so much work to be done. I hope one day this organization will no longer be needed, but until then, we will keep fighting for and supporting survivors of violent loss together.

Sincerely,

JaShawn D. Hill, LCSW, EMDR, Executive Director

Join us for our Community of Survivors' Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Attendees are not required to pre-register for this event. Learn more about the event, here.

Vendors and community partners interested in participating can email our Community of Survivors Manager, Abby Ortiz at abby@chicagosurvivors.org. 

"Helping a grieving brother attain funeral financing for his sister, who had been killed 48 hours prior to me contacting him. He literally fell to his knees, crying, when I informed that we could help him. That stays with you."

Anthoney Richardson, Crisis Responder

"Being able to have a mother tell me that she was able to return to work after doing counseling with me."

Pedro Gonzalez, Family Support Manager

Please consider purchasing items from these Amazon wish lists that go to support our Community of Survivors and Youth Clinical Counselors team.

> Community of Survivors - Wishlist

> Youth Clinical Counselors Team - SESSION / OFFICE SPACE Wishlist

> Youth Clinical Counselors Team - ORDER TODAY Wishlist

> Youth Clinical Counselors Team - ORDER OCCASIONALLY Wishlist

Our work and your support are vital to helping families live beyond violent loss. If you are able, please consider donating to Chicago Survivors, and encourage others to join the community by subscribing to our newsletter.