Emmett Louis Till Victims Recovery Program
In the 2023 legislative session, the Emmett Louis Till Victims Recovery Program was established to address the health and wellness needs of victims of trauma, their families, and heirs. The Minnesota Department of Health, in consultation with the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, has funded six grantees to provide services to victims, families, and their heirs.
Two individual applicants received $50,000 each:
- Creative Kuponya
- Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
Four collaborative applicants received $100,000 each:
- Agape Child Development Center in collaboration with Neighborhood Health Source
- Phyllis Wheatley Community Center in collaboration with Zion Baptist Church
- Rainfall Therapy and Consulting, PLLC, in collaboration with MJ Consultants, LLC
- Shiloh Temple International Ministries in collaboration with Epiphany Family Services
Grantees will engage in the following services:
- Health and wellness services, which may include services and support to address physical health, mental health, cultural needs, and spiritual or faith-based needs
- Remembrance and legacy preservation activities
- Cultural awareness services
- Community resources and services to promote healing for victims, families, and heirs
Victims, families, and heirs include:
- Victims who experienced trauma, including historical trauma, resulting from events such as assault or another violent physical act, intimidation, false accusations, wrongful conviction, a hate crime, the violent death of a family member, or experiences of discrimination or oppression based on the victim's race, ethnicity, or national origin
- The families and heirs of victims who experienced trauma, including historical trauma, because of their proximity or connection to the victim
Legislative report
As required by the legislation, MDH submitted the Emmett Louis Till Victims Recovery Program Report (PDF) to the Legislature in early 2024. This first report includes a status update on the development of the new program. Another report will be submitted in January 2025 with a summary of the services offered by grant recipients, an assessment of the need to continue to offer those services, and an evaluation of the grant program's goals and outcomes.
Contact us
Emmett Louis Till Victim Recovery Program: health.victimrecovery@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Health does not provide direct services to victims and survivors of trauma or their families. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911. If you are in need of support, the following resources are available:
- For emotional support, call or text the 988 Lifeline.
- For crime victim services and resources, visit the Office of Justice Programs.