The Board of Northside Community Resources in Chicago, Illinois, has decided to shut down The Victim Advocacy Support Program (VASP), effective December 31st, 2014. This program provides critical support and advocacy for victims of crime and domestic violence. The Board has not provided any justification for their decision. We demand that Northside Community Services maintain the VASP program in its current form and under its current leadership until a new home is found for it on Chicago's north side - and a realistic transition plan is developed and made public!
Why is this important?
When I became concerned for the safety and well being of myself, my family and my property - I filed for an order of emergency protection against a neighbor that was terrorizing my family. Chicago's North side Victim Advocacy Support Program provided advocates that helped me navigate the confusing system and processes involved; without this assistance, I would have given up.
This program provides critical support and advocacy for victims of violent crime, including domestic violence and stalking to countless individuals in Chicago.
It is imperative that victims have resources available to them; the elimination of such a vital program would be seriously detrimental and must be prevented.
