An article in the February 20, 2024, edition of Chicago Tribune demonstrates the importance and potential impact of a new program UCAN is offering to help heal Chicago women most at risk of experiencing firearm violence.

A 90-day program offers coaching and workshops to help women improve their physical and mental well-being, as well as other support and referrals as needed. Participants then work with case managers who help them work toward their educational and career goals. UCAN CEO Christa Hamilton explains that it was important to her to create something specific for women. “These are heroes. These women, even when they are not a victim, when a male is shot or killed, most times we are rarely taking men to the funeral homes with us to pick out a casket, or to set up funeral arrangements. It’s some woman in the family who has to carry the load, to put things back together. If the father was the breadwinner, now the mom has to step into that position.” The program is currently based in North Lawndale, but Hamilton hopes to expand it to women on the Far South Side soon.

Hamilton said SheRo was born out of consideration for all of that financial, mental, spiritual and emotional stress.

Hamilton is trying to create an ecosystem of support with SheRo’s addition to UCAN programming.