The Violence Recovery Program (VRP) at UChicago Medicine is a hospital-based violence intervention program. We provide support to patients injured by intentional violence and their families upon arrival at the UChicago Medicine Trauma Center. VRP works with patients at admission and after leaving the hospital to help with overall recovery and to lessen the risks of re-injury. We are raising funds to support our patients when they are ready to discharge from our hospital and return to the community. 

Investing in Healing, Safety, and Hope:

The Violence Recovery Program is dedicated to supporting individuals (i.e., adults and children) impacted by all forms of intentional violence—from gunshot and stab wounds to injuries sustained in domestic settings. While these traumatic events often happen in broader community settings, a significant number occur in the home, where resources and safety nets can be even harder to access.

Every day, our team stands beside survivors of community and domestic violence at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. The needs that arise are often urgent, deeply personal, and beyond what insurance or hospital systems can address. Our team aims to maintain a level of empathy that allows us to imagine what it feels like to be discharged from the hospital, only to realize that returning home may put your life at risk again. For many of our patients, this is the reality that they face daily.

With your support, we can provide critical assistance for immediate relocation—covering travel, temporary housing, and rental deposits. We also help meet essential needs like food, clothing, and personal care items (or baby products for mothers with infants in need). Your generosity enables us to offer practical aid while also extending a sense of safety, dignity, and care to several patients this year.

1.    Patient Discharge Care Packages (Including Domestic Violence Patient Support)

Goal: $15,000 

Funding Purpose:

General Patients: Discharge care packages (clothing, toiletries, food cards)
Unit Cost: $300
Quantity: 30
Subtotal: $9,000

DV Patients: Emergency travel assistance for DV survivors
Unit Cost: $250
Quantity: 8
Subtotal: $2,000

DV Patients: Temporary housing/emergency accommodation (DV cases)
Unit Cost: $500
Quantity: 4
Subtotal: $2,000

DV Patients: Security deposits/relocation support (DV cases)
Unit Cost: $500
Quantity: 2
Subtotal: $1,000

DV Patients: Immediate essentials (DV: food, clothing, etc.)
Unit Cost: $250
Quantity: 4
Subtotal: $1,000

Total: $15,000

Empowering Youth to Heal, Lead, and Thrive:

At UCM’s Urban Health Initiative, we are especially committed to our pediatric and youth patients. Although gun violence serves as the leading cause of death among young people, we believe in the collective power of intervention, healing, and leadership to overcome that heartbreaking reality.

By investing in our youth via trauma-informed care and prevention programming, we aim to disrupt cycles of violence before they begin. Our programming serves to empower young people through trauma-informed programming, leadership training, peer advocacy, and support services. To make this vision an ongoing reality, we need your help to reduce the financial barriers that prevent youth from participating. As we create programming, internships, and advisory board leadership opportunities for them to engage in, your contributions will help cover the cost of training and compensating them for their time and contributions—communicating to them that we recognize their value and encourage their growth, safety, and stability in a challenging social and economic landscape.

Your support goes beyond aid—it becomes a transformational act of support and investment in the lives of youth that can make last change in their communities. Together, we can build a safer Chicago and brighter future for our city’s young people.

2.    Youth Engagement Initiative

Goal: $15,000  

Youth advisory board honorariums – $3,000
Educational workshops and programming (youth events) – $7,000
Transportation and meals for youth programming – $3,000
Promotional materials and outreach (e.g., flyers, t-shirts, ads) – $2,000

Total: $15,000

Every dollar counts. Every gift heals. No amount is too small to make an impact. Whether you give $5, $10, or $25, your contribution helps build a care package for someone in crisis. A gift of $250, $300, or $500 can fully fund a package – providing clothing, toiletries, emergency travel, housing assistance, and more for a patient transitioning out of the hospital. Your support shows them they’re not alone. Give what you can – it truly makes a difference.