The Village AfterFOUNDATIONFamily Portal Our circle of care
Practical guidance, remembrance, and ongoing support for children who have lost a parent to gun violence—and the people raising them.
Who we serve
Our initial service area prioritizes Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. Availability varies by program, funding, partnerships, and capacity.
Initial enrollment is for families where:
For enrolled families, certain Growing With You services may continue beyond age 18 for eligible milestones or ongoing support.
Begin family intake01 · Practical help, one step at a time
You do not have to figure out every resource, form, or next step on your own.
We help identify your family’s needs, research relevant resources, explain available options, assist with applications and paperwork at your request, organize next steps, and follow up when appropriate.
Housing, rent or mortgage assistance, utilities, food, transportation, childcare, survivor and public benefits, employment, education, counseling or grief support, and resources for children and caregivers.
Calls are optional and appointment-based. Families who prefer not to call may receive available support by text or email. Help navigating an outside resource does not guarantee that organization will approve an application.
02 · Here as your family grows
Loss does not stay the same as children grow. Our support makes room for changing questions, meaningful milestones, and a caregiver’s own life after loss.
Making room for the person your family will always love.
Optional annual remembrance communications honor the parent who died. With caregiver consent, the Foundation can keep meaningful dates and communication preferences so remembrance can happen by text, email, or both.
Your family chooses whether to participate. You can change your preferences or stop these communications at any time.
Words and ideas for conversations that can feel difficult.
Short caregiver guides help keep Mom or Dad part of a child’s family story, respond to questions about how they died, preserve memories, and navigate birthdays and other meaningful dates.
The four initial guides cover Talking About Their Parent, When They Start Asking How They Died, Remembering Mom/Dad, and Birthdays Without Mom/Dad. They also help caregivers recognize when additional professional support may be helpful.
Support that changes as your child grows.
A child’s understanding of loss can change with age. The Foundation helps caregivers find age-appropriate information, tools, and resources as new questions, emotions, behaviors, milestones, and developmental stages arise.
When professional support may help, we can assist with identifying services and, where an established referral relationship exists, a referral with appropriate consent.
The person raising the children deserves support, too.
Caregivers may be rebuilding daily routines, taking on new responsibilities, or finding a new direction after loss. Village Support helps identify practical needs and personal goals, then research resources that fit.
This may include education, employment, transportation, career goals, skills, and services that support greater independence.
These educational and supportive services do not replace therapy, professional mental-health treatment, or individualized medical, legal, or other licensed professional services.
Already enrolled? Request program support03 · A connection with care
More than another number to call.
Where an established referral relationship exists, we aim to connect families with organizations that can help with education, career development, workforce training, counseling, transportation, family services, and long-term stability.
Only information reasonably necessary for the specific referral is shared, with appropriate authorization. Enrolling does not authorize sharing your complete family record. Outside acceptance, funding, appointments, and other benefits are not guaranteed.
Request support through the portal04 · Help when life can’t wait
Limited financial assistance for eligible households when funding and program capacity are available.
Applications open only during announced periods. The Foundation intends to give enrolled families 48 hours’ advance notice. Announcements may also appear on the website and official Facebook page.
Requests are reviewed according to eligibility, urgency, resources, and program guidelines. An application does not guarantee assistance.
Begin where you are
Intake helps us understand your needs and review eligibility. Participation is voluntary, and enrollment does not guarantee a particular service or financial assistance. Availability depends on program readiness, funding, partnerships, and capacity.
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