Public Updates
Accessing Resources & Support
Everyone grieves at a different pace, and there is no one path toward moving forward after a tragedy. Professionals from our community are here to help you and your family during this difficult time. Call 211 or text 898211 to be immediately connected with a trained navigator who can help you access services. If you prefer an in-person appointment with a navigator, call 211 or visit 211lakecounty.org to schedule an appointment at Family Service of Lake County or the Highwood Public Library and Community Center. 211 is free, confidential, multilingual, and available 24/7.
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Navegación de recursos
Cada quien procesa su dolor a diferente ritmo, y no existe un único camino a seguir después de una tragedia. Profesionales de nuestra comunidad estan aquí para ayudar a usted y su familia durante este tiempo difícil.
No está seguro sobre la ayuda que necesita? Llame al 211 o mande un texto al 898211 para ser inmediatamente conectado con un navegador capacitado que puede ayudarlo a acceder a los servicios que necesita.
Temporary Memorial Information
November 4, 2022 -- The temporary memorial at the Rose Garden will open on November 11, 2022. The temporary memorial will include individual plaques remembering the seven victims who were killed, designed with input from each family's designated contact. The City has installed an ADA-accessible walkway to facilitate access from the sidewalk to the Garden, and benches have been placed near the planting bed where the plaques will be placed. The City gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Guy Scopelliti Landscaping, which donated the pots and flowers that were planted and installed last week.
Plaques remembering the victims in English and Spanish will be installed at St. Johns and Central. The plaques will include information about the temporary memorial at the Rose Garden.
On Friday, November 11, the City will have flowers available at the Rose Garden and at the intersection of St. Johns and Central beginning at 8 AM with an invitation to community members to lay them at the Rose Garden as part of personal reflection and remembrance. No formal ceremony is planned. Counselors will be available from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM; the City is grateful to Family Services of Lake County, Moraine Township, and the Highwood Public Library and Community Center for joining the City's social services team in providing counseling services. SOUL Harbour Ranch will also be on-site with trained therapy animals (horses and dogs) from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM.
The City greatly appreciates the partnership of the Park District of Highland Park in creating this space for remembrance and reflection at the Rose Garden. The City will continue to issue reminders via eNews, social media, and cityhpil.com so that community members will be aware of specific timing once the Rose Garden is prepared and memorial items at St. Johns and Central are scheduled to be removed to the care of the Highland Park Public Library.
Permanent Memorial Information
rmanent Memorial Discussion Questions & Answers
Committee of the Whole Permanent Memorial Discussion
Questions & Answers
Haga clic aquí para leer este artículo en español:
Reunión del Junta del Comité Entero acerca del Memorial Permanente (01/23/23)
Highland Park, Illinois – At the Monday, January 23, 2023 meeting of the Committee of the Whole, the City Council will discuss the framework for moving forward with the permanent memorial following the Highland Park shooting, which will be a place for remembrance, reflection, and respite. City Council will consider staff recommendations pertaining to the commission structure for the permanent memorial and the public communication and engagement process. City Council will not discuss any other details of the future permanent memorial at this time, such as potential location, design, or form.
The Committee of the Whole will immediately follow the City Council meeting, which begins at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall (1707 St. Johns Avenue.) Contemporaneous Spanish interpretation will be available to attendees of the meeting.
The City’s intent is to approach this important topic with sensitivity to the needs of various stakeholder groups, especially the families of the victims and those who were injured in the shooting. To that end, the City will discuss the planning for a permanent memorial in an open, public meeting so that the community is aware of how the process will unfold. A clear framework will allow the City to set expectations for public engagement, scope, communication and timeline.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback consistent with City policy.
Following the discussion, the City will provide a summary of the discussion and plans to move forward with the process. This information will be shared with the community via the City’s website (cityhpil.com), eNews (cityhpil.com/signup), and social media. City staff will continue to maintain direct communication with victims’ families and injured individuals.
The City will also continue to maintain the temporary memorial as a place for remembrance until a permanent memorial is established. The temporary memorial at the Rose Garden (located adjacent to City Hall at 1707 St. Johns Avenue) offers a quiet space for reflection and privacy for grieving families. More information about the temporary memorial is available at cityhpil.com/temporarymemorial.
The City recognizes that this is a weighty, emotional topic, and urges anyone in need to seek support. Free and confidential multilingual assistance from trained mental health counselors is available 24/7 via 211 Lake County. Visit 211LakeCounty.org, call 211, or text 898211.
Learn more in the Q&A.
Counseling & Victim Resources
In the event of an emergency, dial 911.
Counseling Resources
211 Helpline
Provides immediate, resource navigation for community members who are needing to find available resources for those impacted. 211 is free, confidential, 24/7, and multilingual, with English and Spanish-speaking staff and assistance to other languages via interpreters in 150 languages.
Search for updated list of available resources at https://bit.ly/211NowHP or visit 211LakeCounty.org
Call 2-1-1 for live resource navigation with a 211 specialist.
Text your zip code to 898211 for live resource navigation with a 211 specialist.
Lake County Crisis Care Program
Crisis Counselors are available 24 hours a day to speak with you by phone. The number is: 847- 377-8088. You do not have to give your name when you call. Walk-ins are welcomed at the program office. Call or come by to learn more. Crisis Intervention services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Lake County Crisis Care Program
3002 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
847-377-8088
Crisis Care Program (CCP) | Lake County, IL (lakecountyil.gov)
Disaster Distress Hotline
Provides immediate, 24/7 crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Covers topics such as stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms related to a disaster.
Call 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish)
Text TalkWithUs (for English) or Hablanos (for Spanish) to 66746 to connect with a counselor
Veterans Crisis Line
Provides 24/7, confidential, crisis support to all veterans, all service members, National Guard and Reserve, and family members and friends.
Call 800-273-8255, select option 1
Chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net
Text to 838255 for assistance
Family Service of Lake County
Family Service of Lake County is available to support the community. The office is located at 777 Central Avenue in Highland Park. Services are available Monday through Friday 9:00 AM through 7:00 PM and on weekends by appointment. Call 847.432.4981 for an appointment - walk-in services are also available. Expanded Hours: Family Service of Lake County is open 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM for counseling sessions for any member of the community who just needs to talk to someone, just walk in, appointment is not needed.Free Counseling: Family Service of Lake County is offering 20-30 minute sessions free of charge
Close Proximity: 777 Central Avenue, Suite 17Highland Park, IL 60035847-432-4981www.famservice.org
Family Service of Glencoe
Family Service of Glencoe (www.familyserviceofglencoe.org) is providing counseling services free of charge to anyone in any community affected by the tragedy in Highland Park. Please call (847) 835-5111 for an immediate appointment.
Therapists range in specialties, including trauma and crisis support, child and adolescent counseling, young adult and senior adult counseling, and English/Spanish bilingualism.
Highwood Public Library & Community Center
To help our community heal, the Highwood Public Library & Community Center is offering supportive and mental health services free of charge. Services are available in English and Spanish.
Individual Therapy
By appointment
Monday, Tues, Wed, Thurs
3:00-7:00pm
Support Groups
No appointment needed
Mon, Tues, Wed
6:00-7:30pm
Community Conversations to Heal the Soul After Trauma
Wednesdays in July | Virtual
July 6 & 20: 6:00-7:00pm
July 13 & 27: 12:00-1:00pm
102 Highwood Avenue
Highwood, IL 60040
(847) 432-5404
Additional resources are available on our the Highwood Public Library website. Scan the QR below to access a list of online materials and books.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need. Additional information is available on the Crisis Text Line website at www.crisistextline.org.
Optum Health
Optum is offering a free emotional support help line for all people impacted. This help line will be open for two weeks starting July 5, 2022 to provide those affected access to specially trained mental health specialists. The company’s public toll-free help line number, 866-447-3573, is available Monday through Friday 8AM – 8PM. This service is free of charge and open to anyone. Specially trained Optum mental health specialists help people manage their stress and anxiety so they can continue to address their everyday needs. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters.
Along with the toll-free help line, emotional-support resources and information are available online at www.liveandworkwell.com. You can find the following resource centers by using a keyword search on liveandworkwell.com
- Coping Center: Type the keyword “coping” into the search bar, select Coping. Here you’ll find articles, guides, self-help tools and videos on coping with stress.
- Mindfulness Center: Type the keyword “mindfulness" into the search bar, select Mindfulness Center. Here you’ll find breathing and meditation exercises, guides, videos, and tools for practicing mindfulness.
- Resiliency Resources: Learn more about bounding back after difficult times. Type “resiliency” into the search bar, select Recovery & Resiliency Center.
Victim Resources
National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center
The National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center recommends the following resources:
Resources for Victims, Survivors and Community Members
- The NMVVRC self-help app, Transcend NMVC, is available on both Apple and Android mobile phones
- Tips For Survivors: Coping With Grief After A Disaster Or Traumatic Event via the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | Read here.
- Managing Distress: Grounding Tips For Crime Victims, Survivors And Family Members Of Mass Violence Incidents (MVIs) | Read here.
- How to Identify an Experienced Trauma-Focused Therapist | Read here.
- Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program | Read here.
- State of Illinois Information about crime victim compensation and advocates: 1-800-228-3368 (Voice) | 1-877-398-1130 (TTY)
Resources for Parents, Caregivers and Teens
- Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Traumas, via NCTSN | Read here
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Mass Shooting, via NCTSN | Read here in English | Read here in Spanish
- Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief – Tips for Caregivers, via NCTSN | Read here
- Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Caregivers, via SAMHSA | Read here
- For Teens: Coping After Mass Violence, via NCTSN | Read here in English | Read here in Spanish
Resources for Community Leaders
- Timeline of Activities to Promote Mental Health Recovery: Recommendations Before, During and Following a Mass Violence Incident | Read here.
- Tips for Community Leaders: Rebuilding Your Community | Resources here.
Recursos en Español
Donations & Volunteering
Donations
We urge those who wish to show their financial support to send donations to the Highland Park Community Foundation; a longtime local organization deeply imbedded in community which is in the best position to help our neighbors in need. They have set up a fund to directly assist victims, survivors, and those that support them. Visit https://www.hpcfil.org/ to submit donations.
The July 4th Fund remains open and will accept donations through October 7, 2022. At that time, the Fund will officially close so the final amount for distribution to victims and nonprofit organizations can be determined and payment amounts calculated. The total amount of the Fund will be made public after the Fund closes.
Once the initial fund closes, the Highland Park Community Foundation will establish a new Fund. Donations to the second Fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations that are addressing the needs of victims and community members impacted by the shooting. The Highland Park Community Foundation will administer the Fund and distribute the donations as grants.
The July 4th Highland Park Shooting Response Fund was established by the Highland Park Community Foundation to accept donations that would be used to support victims and local nonprofit organizations serving the needs of victims and impacted community members. The Fund is a project of the Highland Park Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Individuals are encouraged to donate by October 7, 2022. Donations can be made at this link.
Individuals with questions should contact info@July4Fund.org. Additional information is available at www.July4fund.org.
The City urges individuals interested in donating to support those impacted by Monday's mass shooting to carefully consider all online and email requests for donations. 211 Lake County offers a fact sheet to assist in evaluating requests for donations.
Volunteering
Immediate needs are being met through local, state, and national resources.
The Volunteer Pool of Highland Park is maintaining a list of volunteers as a resource should there be a need for volunteers in the future. Individuals interested in having their contact information on file with the Volunteer Pool of Highland Park may email info@volunteerpoolhp.org with their name, contact information and any specific areas of expertise.
Organizations with a need for volunteers may reach out to the Volunteer Pool who will assist them in connecting with volunteers.
Should additional information become available or volunteer needs arise we will share any relevant information here.
Community Support
One of the most incredible things about our community is the generosity of Highland Parkers. If you have ideas or suggestions related to supporting those in need and/or the community, please share those via email at hpcares@cityhpil.com.
Community Vigils
Previous
The Community Church of Lake Bluff (117 E. Scranton Ave, Lake Bluff) will hold a prayer service, July 5 at 12:00 noon. The service will include prayer and music at Christ Church on the corner of Route 60 and Waukegan Avenue in Lake Forest.
Trinity Grace Church and Christ Church - Rev. 7:9 has organized a community prayer gathering July 5 3:00PM at Trinity Grace Church (1506 Half Day Rd., Highland Park IL). Everyone is welcome.
Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Trinity Episcopal, and other area faith leaders will hold a ecumenical community prayer vigil on July 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Park Presbyterian Church (330 Laurel Ave., Highland Park). All are welcome.
United Parish of Immaculate Conception and St James at the Immaculate Conception will host a prayer vigil with Cardinal Cupich at at 770 Deerfield Road Highland Park at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 5.
Mission Ministry of First Baptist Church will host a prayer service on Tuesday, July 5, 7:00 PM via conference call (978-990-5356 / 6855088.)
Makom Solel Lakeside (1301 Clavey) will host a vigil at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 6.
Galilee UMC (1696 McGovern Ave) is holding a vigil at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 6. All are welcome for a time of silent prayer and reflection and comfort.
Celebrate Highwood (Everts Park, 116 Highwood Ave Highwood) is hosting a candlelight vigil from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM on Wednesday, July 6 at Everts Park to be a haven to gather and honor the victims, survivors, and all those impacted by this tragedy.
Central Synagogue (874 Central Avenue, Highland Park) is hosting an event
of unity and healing at the Synagogue on Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 PM.
The United Parish of Immaculate Conception and St. James (134 North Ave., Highwood) is hosting a bilingual Holy Hour of Adoration to pray for peace and healing on Thursday, July 7, 7:00 PM at St. James Church (address above.)
Candlelight Vigil
Am Shalom (840 Vernon Ave, Glencoe) is hosting a candlelight vigil on Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 PM for healing and will be open to anyone that wants to attend.
March for Our Lives North Shore will host a candlelight vigil and memorial on Thursday, July 7, 7:45 PM at Sunset Woods Park (1801 Sunset Rd., Highland Park.)
The United Parish of Immaculate Conception and St. James will host a procession from Immaculate Conception Church to downtown Highland Park to pray the Rosary for peace and healing, on Saturday, July 9, beginning at 10 AM at Immaculate Conception Church (770 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park.)
Awakened Soul Living will host a Community Healing Circle of LIght on Sunday, July 10, 3:33 PM - 5:55 PM at Glencoe Beach Park (160 Hazel Ave., Glencoe.)
Interfaith Service
Glencoe Union Church (263 Park Ave, Glencoe) is hosting a Ecumenical Service on Sunday, July 10, at 4:00 PM with representatives from each participating faith community.
Highland Park Students Demand Action
The Highland Park Students Demand Action chapter of Everytown for Gun Safety is hosting a vigil on Sunday, July 10 at 7:30 PM at Sunset Park (1801 Sunset Rd).
City of Highland Park (1707 St Johns Ave)
On Wednesday, July 13 at 7:00 PM, the City will host a vigil at City Hall for the community to gather and honor the memory of the victims.
) on the top right corner of the website and select your preferred language. Translation services are also available through the Highwood Public Library.