WHAT:

Press conference to announce the expansion of the Emergency Supplemental Victims Fund (ESVF) program to ten (10) additional communities with the goal of easing the financial burden and trauma inflicted on individuals and families directly impacted by gun violence. This expansion aligns with Mayor Johnson’s People’s Plan for Community Safety, a community-led initiative supporting individuals most acutely impacted by violence and addressing the root causes of violence through long-term, layered investments in key areas: education, economic opportunity, housing, health, community environment, community violence intervention and policing.

Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,000 in financial assistance to support their basic needs as well as up to $1,000 for temporary relocation related costs. Eligible Chicago families who lose a loved one to homicide can receive additional $1,500 in financial assistance to support funeral or burial costs.

WHO:

• Mayor Brandon Johnson, City of Chicago
• Alderwoman Monique Scott, City of Chicago, 24th Ward
• Christa A. Hamilton, President and CEO, UCAN
• Garien Gatewood, Deputy Mayor of Community Safety
• Matt Richards, CDPH Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral Health
• Greg Martinez, CDPH Senior Recovery Team Program Manager
• Kevin Edwards, Survivor

WHEN:

• Thursday, June 20, 2024, 9:00 a.m. CDT

WHERE:

• UCAN, 3605 W Fillmore St.

BACKGROUND:

The ESVF program was originally piloted by the CDPH Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC) in December 2022 in five community areas. Thus far it has provided financial assistance to over 200 victims and survivors of gun violence. For more information, visit chicago.gov/ESVF.

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