WHEREAS, San Francisco has experienced an increase in gun violence in the last year; and
WHEREAS, families and friends of homicide victims are confronted with overwhelming challenges and the trauma these survivors experience requires acknowledgement and on-going support and healing; and
WHEREAS, the effects of gun violence in our communities has been a major initiative for the Department of Public Health; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Health is currently developing a coordinated and immediate citywide response to gun violence incidents for individuals, families, witnesses and communities impacted by violence to ensure an appropriate level of services, such as social workers and mental health staff are available to engage those affected by the violent incident; and
WHEREAS, Department of Public Health staff will continue to engage with individuals, families, schools and community groups to provide services that may help the healing process; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has proclaimed November 20th through December 20th of each year as Survivor of Homicide Victims Awareness Month in San Francisco; and
WHEREAS, This yearly observance provides a platform where the City can learn how to better support families who have been brutally impacted by violence and to support the efforts of survivors who are involved in the violence prevention and peacemaking movement; and,
WHEREAS, Survivor of Homicide Victims Awareness Month will encourage family and friends of homicide victims to feel supported and strengthened for what they have survived instead of feeling isolated and unacknowledged in their grief, particularly during the holiday season; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Health Commission does hereby proclaim November 20th to December 20th of each year as Survivor of Homicide Victims Awareness Month in the City and County of San Francisco.
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was approved by the Health Commission at its November 9, 2004 meeting.
Michele M. Olson, Executive Secretary to the Health Commission