Our History, Values, Vision & Beliefs

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Our History

Healing Hurt People is a hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) that began in Philadelphia, led by Dr. Ted Corbin, Dr. John Rich, and Dr. Sandra Bloom at Drexel University. In 2013, Reverend Carol Reese and Dr. Brad Stolbach wrote grants to bring the program to two Chicago hospitals, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and The University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital.

Since then, the program has grown from 2 staff members to 18. In 2018, we more than doubled our staff capacity, and Beth-Anne Jacob joined the leadership team as Clinical Director. This larger HHPC team has expanded our work in critical ways.

Increased number of patients served

We now reach over 700 patients each year.

Expanded age demographic

Early funding limited services to children and teenagers. Our programs are now inclusive of patients up to 30 years of age, with a goal of eliminating the age requirement entirely.

Expanded language offerings

We have bilingual resources and clinicians to serve Spanish-language speakers.

Expanded group work

Regular sessions include psychoeducation and support groups specifically for men or women; Spanish-speakers; people with spinal cord injuries; and participants in Project FIRE, an arts-based glass-blowing program.

Health care and allied professions education

Our team conducts trauma-informed care trainings that feature participants sharing their experiences.

Vision & Values

We envision a world with pathways to healing, trauma-informed healthcare and social systems, and repair to issues in communities that lead to violence. When our vision is realized, we will be closer to living in a city free of gun violence.

Pathways to healing

Pathways to healing built on relationships, free of stigma, and assume that thriving is a birthright.

Healthcare and social service systems

Healthcare and social service systems that acknowledge and treat trauma as a result of multigenerational, historical, and structural violence.

Justice and repair

Justice and repair for the inequitable conditions that lead to violence in communities.

Our Beliefs

We believe in a future for all, participant-driven care, holistic support, medical advocacy, and accountability.

A future for all

Everyone deserves a future that includes safety, respect, and dignity.

The power of connection

Human relationships are vital sources of healing. When we know our neighbors, we have greater empathy for, and less fear of, others.

Participant-driven care

Those we serve are experts in their lives and decide what they need.

Holistic support

Understanding the implications of trauma to the body, spirit, mind, and social self. We care for our participants both as individuals and as community members.

Medical advocacy

We hold ourselves responsible for disrupting medical injustice regarding access to care, as well as the provision of respectful care for those marginalized by oppression such as poverty, racism, trans and/or homophobia, and anti-immigrant bias.

Accountability

We are responsible for providing services to program participants in a timely, thorough, and ethical manner.

Stories of Healing

Beth-Anne and Jason discuss what is unique about the Healing Hurt People Chicago therapeutic model and the importance of building genuine relationships with program participants and families as a powerful tool in the healing process.

See more Stories of Healing