FCI is an initiative of Sunshine Gospel Ministries that offers “a trauma-informed care approach to gun violence. Through individual support, community collaboration, and advocacy.
- FCI Client
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APPROACH
We understand the growing and complex needs of gunshot violence survivors in our community, and we are deeply committed to supporting them on their healing journey.
FCI provides services to directly impacted individuals, beginning at any point within two years of the incident. Clients receive support for a full year, including weekly check-ins during the first month and monthly check-ins for the remainder of the year.
our Referrals and services
Our
Approach
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FCI provides victim services, case management, and counseling that is needed by survivors of gun violence and their families after the survivor is discharged from the hospital.
We understand the developing needs of gunshot violence survivors in our community and are committed to helping them. FCI services directly and indirectly impacted survivors beginning anytime within the 2-year window of being harmed. FCI will service those clients for one year after their intake date, with weekly check-ins for the first month and then monthly for the remainder of the year.
We understand the developing needs of gunshot violence survivors in our community and are committed to helping them. FCI services directly and indirectly impacted survivors beginning anytime within the 2-year window of being harmed. FCI will service those clients for one year after their intake date, with weekly check-ins for the first month and then monthly for the remainder of the year.
- Continued visits and admissions to hospitals
- Loss of Wages, Housing, Daycare, Utilities, and Transportation
- Depression, Anxiety, Isolation, PTSD
- Need for Relocation
- Permanent disability
- Children being cared for by someone else
- Need for a caregiver
Referrals for Counseling Services
Monetary Assistance
for Emergency Needs
Job Training
Completing Illinois Crime Victim
Compensation Act Paperwork
Supplemental Victims Funds
Transportation
(Decided Case-by-Case)
Are you feeling affected Trauma?
The trauma of being shot can have severe effects on a person’s life, such as:
Depression, Anxiety,
Isolation, PTSD
Emotional and mental health challenges like sadness, fear, withdrawal, or flashbacks that often follow traumatic events.
Permanent Disability
Long-term physical or mental impairments that limit daily activities or independence.
Continued visits
and admissions to hospitals
Frequent or repeated medical treatment due to ongoing health issues from trauma.
Childcare
Difficulty providing or finding consistent care for children due to injury, stress, or life disruption.
Loss of Wages
Missed income from being unable to work because of trauma or recovery needs.
Need for Caregiver
Requiring regular help from another person for basic tasks or recovery support.
Frequently asked questions
Why would I need FCI?
Sometimes stress, depression, not being able to sleep, not being able to be around family/friends, agitation, not having enough money for necessities etc. can happen a while after experiencing gun violence. Clients that are already linked to counseling, resources, and someone to check in with them for their well-being, allows the process of new barriers to be handled faster and easier.
Can I get help if I wasn’t the one shot?
FCI does assist family members who are indirectly impacted such as a parent, spouse, child, sibling who may now be a caregiver for the victim’s children, provide transportation and care for the victim, or experiencing need for counseling due to the impact of their family being shot etc.
What is the Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Act (VCA) paperwork and how does FCI help clients with it?
The paperwork for this act is from and managed by the Illinois Attorney General’s office to assist victims of gun violence with the expenses of lost wages, funeral and burial, medical/hospital/dental, tattoo removal, relocation, loss of dependent support, tuition loss, crime scene cleanup etc. FCI helps our clients with completing the online application if needed. All correspondence after submission of VCA form is sent to the client’s email from the Illinois Attorney General’s office.
Can I get help from FCI if I was shot a year ago?
Yes, FCI accepts client’s up to two years after they have been shot. Client’s will receive services for one year after they complete the FCI Intake form.