In 2020, ARCHS launched the Neighborhood Healing Network (NHN). Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, ARCHS and its partners found innovative ways to connect the community with services and programs. With the help of ARCHS’ NHN, since August 2020, 390 victims of crime were supported and given the necessary assistance needed to begin the healing process.
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ARCHS secured $1 million in funding from the Missouri Department of Social Services (Victims of Crime Act/VOCA) to create NHN. ARCHS' NHN partners include Alive & Well Communities, Better Family Life, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, Crime Victim Center, Fathers & Families Support Center, Mission: St. Louis, and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
As clients engage with NHN service locations, they are provided information about crime victim and trauma support services available to them and their family members. NHN staff help clients directly engage with area agencies that provide behavioral health, education, employment, housing, and a myriad of additional human services.
Knowing that trauma impacts entire neighborhoods and communities, NHN also hosts community education programs to discuss the impact of trauma and victim’s rights.
ARCHS’ NHN partners are strategically located throughout the urban core of St. Louis. Over the past year, NHN has provided 666 direct referrals to area victim/social service agencies to assist crime victims. Additionally, 30 trauma focused workshops were conducted for NHN staff, neighborhood residents, and sector professionals. ARCHS reported a 92% positive experience accessing NHN services and 76% recommended NHN.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has reported that as of October 23, 2021, 196 firearm deaths have occurred this year. A growing number of shooting victims in St. Louis, Missouri, sadly are children. SLMPD reports 11 children (17 and under) lost their lives from gun violence.
“The time is now, we must provide the resources needed for families and communities to address generational trauma/PTSD and build stronger neighborhoods,” says Wendell E. Kimbrough, ARCHS’ Chief Executive Officer.
This project is made possible by the funding made available through the Victims of Crime Act Fund administered by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Division of Finance and Administrative Services. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition.