Who we are
A dedicated team of advocates who provide supportive services to patients and their families admitted to BWH as a result of penetrating trauma (gunshot, stab wounds or serious assault). The program is a collaboration with the Division of Burn, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Department. All services are free, confidential and voluntary.
Our goal is to support our patients, their families and friends who have experienced community violence. We work together to begin the process of physical, emotional and spiritual healing from a traumatic experience.
Hospital-based advocacy services
- Crisis intervention and trauma response
- Facilitate communication between the patient, family, community supports and the care team
- Make connections with other hospital supportive services
Spiritual care
Social work
Passageway
- Safety planning during the hospital stay, discharge to home and beyond
- Creating after-care plans, including medical follow-up
- Supportive communication and advocacy within the legal system, employment, and education
- Victim's Compensation information, application and support
- Resource navigation and warm referrals
We also work to refer patients/families to supportive community partners to continue the journey of healing and recovery. Some partner programs include:
- Outpatient counseling and advocacy
- Substance abuse treatment and recovery programs
- Job readiness program
- Employment opportunities
- Education programs
Contact us
This project is partially supported by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance through a Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice.
