Grief Victim Support Ministry (GVSM)

GVSM is where survivors of homicide come for help immediately following the event. We do an intake and evaluation with them to see how best to meet their needs. We develop a personalized set of “navigational aids” that will help them along their journey. Services we provide through GVSM include individual support sessions, ongoing case management, spiritual/pastoral care, all kinds of support groups, and outside referrals (as needed).

Criminal Justice Support Advocacy (CJSA)

This program educates survivors of homicide about their rights as victims of violent crime, and is a support and advocate for them as they navigate their way through the criminal justice system. Special emphasis is placed on guarding against revictimization.

Spiritual Development Program (SDVP)

This program provides the spiritual support for survivors of homicide that would normally come from their religious or spiritual leaders, who are often not equipped to meet their needs. We focus on simply being there for the survivor, listening attentively and in a caring way, reassuring them that we understand what they are going through, and that we will be with them as they face this new road that lies ahead.

Community Outreach and Awareness Program (COAP)

This program continues to grow and develop CTJH as a leading center for helping survivors of homicide through our volunteer recruitment and training. They are the heart and future of our organization, and play a key role in raising our profile within the larger Washington, DC community. Another important function of this program is to educate and raise awareness in the community at large about a variety of different topics we may discover as we go about our work.

Family Development Program (FDVP)

This program helps survivors of homicide be able to build long-term healthy relationships, which can be very hard in the wake of violent crime, when the pain of the loss often makes communication difficult. Lack of communication can lead to violence very quickly. We help participants recognize the triggers and “red flags” that can signal violence and learn to make different, healthier choices so that relationships can flourish rather than founder.