Where Funds Go

Funds raised from the Walk support families of homicide victims through the programs and services of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, including immediate and long-term care for survivors, youth and multigenerational arts/education programming, advocacy for survivor-centered policies, reentry support for formerly incarcerated people, as well as operational costs, staffing and overhead.

Some of our direct services include:

• Providing Peace Play in Urban Settings training for communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss. This training guides individuals and communities on ways to process and heal from violence while promoting a culture of peace

• Assisting families with upfront burial costs for a murdered loved one. This crucial support ensures that grieving families can focus on their emotional recovery without the added burden of funeral expenses

• Providing the homicide response toolkit with training and technical assistance for providers responding to homicide. This toolkit, which includes our publications, ensures that support workers have the necessary resources to assist families and communities in the wake of a tragedy

• Supporting families with ancillary expenses and other practical needs such as transportation, legal aid, and housing assistance, ensuring that they have the support they need during difficult times

• Helping returning citizens meet their basic needs during their transition back to the community. This could include things like rental assistance, clothing, and access to employment resources

• Funding our youth-led peace initiatives, to encourage young people to promote peace within their schools and communities

• Supporting the gathering of the Survivors of Homicide Victims Network. This provides a safe space for those affected by homicide to share their stories, find community, and heal together

• Contributing to general community-based peace efforts, helping to support workshops, educational resources, and local peace-building initiatives
   
• Providing "Peace of our Heart" care boxes to new survivors of homicide victims that offer immediate tangible tools for healing support, plus a small gift to support survivor needs leading up to funeral services