ALSO provides responsive and culturally relevant services to high-risk individuals experiencing intimate partner violence from historically underserved and marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by street/community violence.
Recognizing the connection between violence inside and outside the home, ALSO takes a cross-disciplinary approach, placing a unique emphasis on the intersection of community violence and intimate partner violence. Striving to meet people where they are ALSO places deep and intentional emphasis on survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and community strengths-based thinking to fully meet healing and safety needs. Services include:
- Information and Referrals:
- Providing information includes educating survivors on how the criminal justice system works, including their rights, applying for crime victim compensation, and other resources available to them. Referrals involve connecting survivors to providers better able to meet needs requiring specialized services, such as to mental health and legal services.
- Advocacy:
- Advocacy refers to assistance provided to help address survivors’ physical, legal, and financial needs.
- To address survivors’ physical needs, advocates assist survivors in applying for public benefits and obtaining housing. It also includes providing supportive services (e.g., child or dependent care, transportation assistance). Legal advocacy involves notifying survivors of criminal justice system events, (e.g., offender arrest, court proceeding) and accompanying them to court.
- Survivors’ financial needs are met through employment, educational, and economic assistance services that empower survivors to work towards financial stability.
- Emotional Support and Safety:
- Services that provide emotional support and safety to survivors include crisis intervention, counseling, support groups, and emergency financial and relocation assistance. Crisis intervention and counseling services may be available in-person or remotely.
- Comprehensive Mental Health and Support Services:
- Comprehensive services include therapy and counseling.
- Services are offered in physical or remote settings that meet the survivors’ needs.
ALSO services are available to those living in Chicago’s Northwest Side neighborhoods of Humboldt Park, West-town, Logan Square, Hermosa, Belmont Cragin, Albany Park, Irving Park, and Avondale. All services are aimed at promoting survivors' resilience and shifting power back to them on their path to safety and healing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence and needs help with:
- Advocacy & Accompaniment
- Emotional Support
- Safety Planning
- Shelter/Housing
- Legal Assistance
- Support Group & Workshops
- Therapy Services
- Financial Assistance
Please email saferhomes@also-chicago.org or call 773-746-9478.
All services are free and confidential!
