Hi Survivor,

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month— a time to remember the lives lost, honor the survivors, and recommit ourselves to building communities rooted in healing, not harm.

For so many of us, the impact of gun violence is not a headline — it’s personal. It’s a daily reality that has shaped our families, our futures, and our fight for justice. This month, we uplift the stories and strength of survivors who are turning their pain into purpose, leading change in their neighborhoods, and demanding solutions that prioritize healing and prevention. 

At Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, we believe that survivors are the experts. Your voice and your leadership are essential in creating real safety, not through more punishment, but through investment in trauma recovery, community-based support, and common-sense policies that stop violence before it happens.

Throughout June, we’ll be sharing ways to get involved!

We see you, we stand with you, and we thank you for being part of this growing movement for healing, safety, and justice.

In solidarity, 

Jonathon Lewis 

Managing Director 

Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice

Quantel McKissic is a resilient gun violence survivor from Lansing, Michigan, whose journey embodies perseverance and transformation. After being denied victim compensation under Michigan’s restrictive laws, his case became a catalyst for change. With the advocacy of Crime Survivors for fSafety and Justice (CSSJ), Michigan reformed its compensation policies, and Quantel was finally granted the support he deserved. Empowered by this victory, he rebuilt his life and launched  Hanks Cuisine, a soulful seafood restaurant that has become a local favorite. His story is a testament to the power of community, policy change, and personal determination.

At Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ), we believe every survivor deserves access to healing and support. That’s why we launched the Access to Victims Compensation Campaign—to ensure survivors across the country are aware of, and can access, the compensation resources they need to rebuild their lives.

We’re proud to share that this campaign has reached an exciting milestone!

• Over 90 partner organizations have joined forces with us to educate communities about victims compensation—helping break down barriers and spread awareness.
• More than 1,400 crime survivors have shared their voices through our national survey, offering crucial insight into their experiences with the compensation process in their states.

This powerful feedback is shaping our advocacy, informing policy recommendations, and elevating survivor voices in the fight for a fairer, more responsive system.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible CSSJ staff and all of our partners for the energy, commitment, and compassion they’ve brought to this effort. Together, we are making a difference.

Stay tuned—there’s more to come as we continue working to ensure all survivors can access the healing they deserve.

As part of CSSJ's Access to Victim Compensation campaign, we created this video storytelling project to hear directly from survivors about their experiences with victim compensation. Our members sharing their stories are vital to this campaign, which is why we want to hear from you. 

Every shared story helps raise awareness of the challenges of accessing victim compensation, inspires policy change, and expands community support for survivors.

Click here to submit your story now: https://safeandjustvoices.gv-one.com/requests.html?gId=4791&rId=18070

Join Crime Survivors Speak: Healing and Safety Conference, where voices of survivors, advocates, service providers, system officials, and community leaders to transform public safety and justice systems.

Through a series of panel discussions, informative workshops, trainings,  team-building activities, and collaborative group sessions, attendees will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to lead grassroots movements, advocate for legislative reforms, and strengthen survivor-led efforts within their communities. 

Join us June 11 for Wellness Wednesday! This month will feature special guest Oneika Mays for “Mindfulness Unbound”, a 90-minute gentle introduction to mindfulness practices designed specifically with survivors in mind. Register Here! 

Did you know that you have FREE access to Victim Assistance Training (VAT) Online, a comprehensive, web-based training program? The Office for Victims of Crime Training &  Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) has a new module, Serving Survivors of Homicide, that offers a thorough overview of homicide, its consequences, and the short- and long-term impacts on survivors. It can be found in the VAT Online training catalog:

https://www.ovcttac.gov/views/TrainingMaterials/dspOnline_VATOnline.cfm?nm=wbt&ns=ot&nt=vat&rec=cd&nf=crimes

Listen to the most recent episode: "From Grief to Groundwork"

Dion lost his father in the Dayton shooting—an event that changed the course of his life. In this deeply moving episode, Dion shares how that moment of loss became the foundation for his advocacy. He created the Fudge Foundation in his father’s memory to support victims of mass violence and to let survivors know they’re not alone.

Dion speaks candidly about the barriers survivors face in the aftermath of trauma—from navigating confusing systems to the lack of mental health resources and the ongoing fight for victim compensation. He also opens up about the emotional toll of advocacy work and the importance of self-care while demanding systemic change.

The conversation touches on:

• Legal accountability for the gun industry
• Building trust with trauma-impacted communities
• The power of peer support and survivor-led initiatives
• Dion’s decision to run for office to represent and uplift his community

This episode is a powerful testament to what it means to turn pain into purpose—and how survivor leadership is essential to shaping a justice system rooted in care, equity, and long-term healing.

If you're interested in being a guest, please complete this PODCAST GUEST QUESTIONNAIRE. Submission doesn’t guarantee you will be selected to be a guest on the podcast.