Lending a Compassionate Ear to Highland Park
On the morning of July 4, 2022, tragedy struck the close-knit Highland Park, IL community when a gunman took the lives of six people and injured more than thirty. As the community grieves together, emotional and spiritual support is needed to help them heal.
Specially-trained chaplains from The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services are on-site, providing support to those seeking a compassionate ear at family resource centers and memorial sites. As of July 14, the chaplains have provided emotional care and, when requested, ministry to more than 500 people.
“We believe that in His name, no one stands alone”, said Sam Amick, the emergency disaster services director of The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division. “As this community strives to process the unthinkable, we’re reaching out to listen in the hopes that it provides comfort and a moment of relief.”
In addition to emotional and spiritual care, The Salvation Army is providing families and individuals impacted financially by the tragedy with gift cards to help meet their immediate needs.
The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services responds to the needs of survivors, first responders, and communities impacted by events such as tornados, fires, and tragedies like those impacting Highland Park, by providing resources such as food service, emergency communications, clothing, shelter, and emotional and spiritual support. Last year, Emergency Disaster Services supported 197,657 people in the Chicagoland area.
If you’re called to do so, you can donate to help support this effort. Your financial support will go directly to providing essential services to the Highland Park community by giving at the link below.