Durham's Survivor Care Office Helps Gun Violence Victims Heal

After a shooting in Durham, North Carolina, the police leave and the news cameras pack up. But for survivors and families, that's when the hardest part begins.

The city's Office of Survivor Care is changing that reality. Led by program manager Ontario Joyner, this office meets gun violence victims with compassion and practical help: free mental health counseling, food assistance, clothing, and laundry services.

"Some of the services we offer are directly in response to the outcries and needs within those specific communities," Joyner explained. The program connects with survivors through police referrals, city services, community organizations, and word of mouth from survivors themselves.

The timing matters more than most people realize. Leigh Mazur from Durham's Community Safety Department said trauma often doesn't fully hit until weeks or months after a violent incident. By then, the initial wave of support has disappeared.

"Often, the help is gone by then," Mazur said. "We want to be a place for people, no matter when they were impacted."

Durham modeled the program after a successful initiative in New Haven, Connecticut. While Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews recently reported that violent crime and homicides are declining, the families living through violence still carry deep wounds that statistics can't capture.

The Ripple Effect

Durham residents are discovering the program exists and recognizing its importance. Bruce Pittman wishes more cities offered this kind of sustained care.

"Too often, once the funeral is over, everybody forgets about the people affected," Pittman said. "They have to sit at home with this grief and feelings of unwell."

Michael DePasquale added that gun violence creates lasting mental health impacts. Every resource the city provides helps families rebuild their lives after unimaginable loss.

The Office of Survivor Care represents a fundamental shift in how cities respond to violence. Instead of treating shootings as isolated incidents that end when crime scene tape comes down, Durham recognizes that healing requires sustained, compassionate support that meets people where they are.

For Durham's survivors of gun violence, the sirens may fade but someone is finally still listening.