Whether you need someone to talk to, a place to gather in community, or guidance on how to support your children, you are not alone. As we continue to process the tragic events in Highland Park, JCFS Chicago is offering the following resources and programs for you, your family, friends, neighbors, organizations and anyone looking for support.
If you or your family needs support, call 855.275.5237 to talk with someone who can connect you to the appropriate JCFS Chicago service.
The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) announced the first step in the process of distributing funds from the July 4 Shooting Response Fund.
Please review the Draft Protocol for victims and their families. There will be four meetings (two in English and two in Spanish) to allow for feedback and input from victims and their families regarding the Draft Protocol.
- August 10, 2022, at the Highwood Public Library (102 Highwood Ave., Highwood)
- 2:00 PM in English
- 7:00 PM in Spanish
- August 11, 2022, at the Highland Park Public Library (494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park)
- 2:00 PM in Spanish
- 7:00 PM in English
The public is invited to submit written comments on the Draft Protocol via email sent to info@July4Fund.org before August 12, 2022.
For questions, victims and their families can call 773-733-0650 or email info@July4Fund.org.
Resources for parents, caregivers, teachers and community members:
- Teacher Training
- Clinical experts from the Israel Trauma Coalition presented possible and probable signs of stress disorder in children after a traumatic event and how this may manifest in the classroom. They also share strategies to reduce anxiety and stress responses in the classroom setting and how to respond to questions or comments from students about the shooting and more.
- Information about how to support children through trauma
- Resources for families when talking with kids
- How to support children and teens after a traumatic event, including non-verbal ways to communicate with your kids
- Traumatic event communication board
- List of Area Trauma Informed Clinicians
- Highland Park Parade Shooting: Community Resources
- Guidance for talking with children after a traumatic event presentation recording
- Evening of support for the Highland Park community session recording
- Red Cross.
- Services are for immediate financial assistance and mental health support for anyone who was injured at the parade, is a family member of someone who was injured or killed, or if someone has a special circumstance and immediate need connected to the event. Call the American Red Cross Chicago office at 312.729.6100
- Online Books for Kids
- Magination Press Story Time - Margaret M. Holmes Reads A Terrible Thing Happened
- A children’s book, Once I was Very, Very Scared by Chandra Ghosh Ippen is available as a free PDF in Spanish and English, along with two accompanying webinars. This story was written to help children and grown-ups (parents, teachers, and other important adults) understand how stress can affect children and ways to help them. In the story, lots of little animals went through scary experiences, but they react in different ways. They get help from grown-ups to feel safe and learn ways to cope with difficult feelings.
- Relaxation Exercises for Kids
- Resources and Guidance for Talking with Children & Teens after a Traumatic Event