INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has created a new program to address the wide-reaching effects of gun violence on families across Marion County.
The program will help survivors of shootings navigate resources available to help them through life after the event.
This does not only include homicides, as nonfatal shootings are also impacting many lives.
Danyell McCoullough is a mother who knows firsthand what gun violence can do to a family. In one shooting she lost a son while another son was critically injured. McCoullough believes if a program like this was in existence after the shooting, it would have changed things.
"Up until now, I was trying to figure out things on my own," McCoullough said. "How to deal with it spiraling down very very fast. How do you know how to heal if you don't have resources and tools to go to."
She believes the tools will come in handy for young people in Indianapolis.
"It's needed, especially for our youth," McCoullough said. "We are losing our children. These babies are dying very rapidly and it's sad."
DeAndra Dycus also knows what it's like to have a child shot but survive. Her son Dre was injured in a 2014 shooting and is now living with quadriplegia. She has partnered with IMPD to help manage the new program called the "nonfatal shooting support group". It is geared to help survivors.
"What a lot of people don't know is you leave the hospital and you don't always get that information," Dycus said. "They are trying to get you home and get you well and you are left out here trying to figure out what's the new steps."
The program will help survivors navigate resources available to help them through life after a shooting.
The program is a partnership between Dycus, IUPUI's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety. The city received a grant through the Office of Public Health and Safety from the American Rescue Plan.
So far in 2022, there have been 47 confirmed homicides and 136 nonfatal shootings in Indianapolis, according to data from IMPD.
-
Volunteers of America plans to expand early childhood care for moms in recovery
Volunteers of America is the only recovery facility in the state that allows women in recovery to stay with their children.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson hopeful of returning in season's final game
After missing last weekend's playoff-eliminating loss to the New York Giants, Richardson stood tall Wednesday, fielding questions for about six minutes while explaining he hopes to return this week.
Annual toy giveaway at IMS helps serve 1,000 Hoosier families
Indianapolis Colts legend Reggie Wayne joined the AMP Harris Foundation to hand out gifts, food, and tickets to the Indy 500, Colts and Pacers game to kids this holiday season.
Indy kid inspires foundation to help homeless Hoosiers stay warm during winter
9-year-old Malik Ford and his Godfather partnered with an Indy veteran who used to be homeless himself to hand out blankets, sleeping bags, clothes, food and hygiene products to those in need.
