Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gun-violence resources to access in and around Richmond

Students and an adult sit around a table.
Crixell Matthews
/
Students work with an adult facilitator at an August Street Smartz Over Safety session at the Peter Paul Development Center. (Photo: Crixell Matthews/VPM News)

This story is part of the series "Another Way: How one Virginia city reckons with gun violence."

A variety of resources and guides are available to people who have suffered a death in their family because of gun violence. There also are a number of programs in the Richmond area that aim to prevent students and young people from becoming involved with guns.  

Children who need crisis support can call the ChildSavers Immediate Response line, which can be reached 24/7 at (804) 305-2420 or by sending a text to 741741.  

ChildSavers also offers therapy to students at several public schools in Richmond, and Communities in Schools of Richmond has coordinators in schools throughout Richmond and Henrico County to connect students with community resources.   

Former United States Congressperson Gabby Giffords worked alongside the parents of a victim from an Aurora, Colorado, shooting to create a two-part guide titled “ From Healing to Action: A Toolkit for Gun Violence Survivors and Allies.”

Richmond organizations including Street Smartz Over Safety and the Richmond Peace Education Center offer programs aimed at providing young people with healthy outlets and lifelong skills. 

The Richmond Peace Education Center has partnered with the Drums No Guns Foundation on the Richmond Youth Peace Project, which teaches conflict resolution skills to young people. 

People experiencing mental health crises in the city of Richmond can contact the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority for support at (804) 819-4100.

Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit formed in the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, has guides for both students and teachers

Employees of Richmond Public Schools can speak with a mental-health professional by contacting the 24/7 Cigna crisis line at (833) 632-4462. Other services are available by calling the Cigna Employee Assistance program at (800) 544-6931.  

Richmond Public Schools established the "Honoring the Memory Fund" under the RPS Education Foundation to support families following the loss of a child. The program helps to provide money for funeral costs, mental-health support and funds to cover extended time off following the death of a loved one. 

The RVA League for Safer Streets offers an outlet for young adults in Richmond through basketball and connects them with community resources, including mental health and substance abuse support. 

People looking to support victims of gun violence can donate to the Virginia Victims Fund, which helps victims of violent crime cover expenses including medical costs. 

The Virginia Victim Assistance Network hosts support groups for people who have had someone close to them murdered. 

VPM News is the staff byline for articles and podcasts written and produced by multiple reporters and editors.