Elmhurst Community Rallies to Combat Gun Violence With “A Walk Toward Healing”
Elmhurst community members walk during the “A Walk Toward Healing” event on Sunday, Sept. 14. This year’s event was the third annual. (PC: Martin Munguia)
Elmhurst University teamed up with Chicago Survivors, a nonprofit organization that provides support for homicide victims in Chicago, for the third annual “A Walk Toward Healing” event, held in Elmhurst on Sunday, Sept. 14.
The event featured a 2-mile walk around EU and its surrounding community. Walkers were encouraged to donate to Chicago Survivors, which is hoping to reach $40,000. This year, participants were encouraged to wear purple to show support.
“Chicago Survivors fills the gap other organizations can’t by providing crisis support, court accompaniment, funeral assistance, and long-term trauma counseling,” Chicago Survivors said in a press release. “Founded after Frankie Valencia’s death at a Halloween party, the organization represents what survivor-centered support truly looks like.”
“When Joy McCormack lost her DePaul honors student son to gun violence, she transformed her grief into Chicago Survivors, now the region’s most comprehensive support network for families facing unimaginable loss,” continued the press release, which described “A Walk Toward Healing” as an event “where heartbreak meets hope in a powerful display of community solidarity.”
The event was co-sponsored by Bridget O’Rourke, an English professor and director of the writing program at EU.
“I look forward to walking together with Elmhurst faculty, staff, students, and community members to honor survivors, support families, and celebrate Chicago Survivors’ essential work to help families live beyond violent loss,” said O’Rourke.
“Like all of us, my family has been affected by the trauma of gun violence,” O’Rourke added. “I joined the first ‘Walk Toward Healing’ in 2023 with members of the Elmhurst chapter of Moms Demand Action to be part of their collective work toward public safety measures to protect families and communities.”
Participants at the event were encouraged with a DJ, games and attractions for kids of all ages, and activities like making runners’ bibs while adding their own style.
Additionally, multiple speakers motivated the walkers before the walk and told their stories. One speaker lost her brother and cousin due to gun violence.
“Before my brother died, he encouraged me to get involved in social justice, and once he died, I decided to get involved in social work, which led me to Chicago Survivors,” the speaker said.
Throughout the course of the walk there were signs celebrating the walk, volunteers encouraging the walkers and taking pictures, and families walking with each other to support the cause: a safer future for their community.
