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Get Involved: Carry Jess’s Memory Forward

You are not powerless. Whether you’re in Chicago or anywhere else, there are real, meaningful ways you can honor Jess’s life and stand up against gun violence.

Together, we can bring healing, raise awareness, and help protect other young lives from being lost too soon.

1. Share this website with others

Why Share This Site?
Sharing helps more people learn about Jess, stay connected to his legacy, and join the community built in his memory. Every share makes a difference .

2. Donate to Organizations Making a Difference

 

Direct Donation Links:

  • Donate Blood in Jess’s Honor

Why donating blood is important to us...
When Jess was rushed to the hospital, donated blood helped give him another shot at life. In those critical moments, blood donations gave our family hope — and gave Jess the fighting chance he deserved.

We know firsthand how powerful one donation can be. That’s why we’re asking you to consider donating in his honor.

Use the tool below to find a trusted, local blood center near you:


Find a Blood Center – America’s Blood Centers

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  • John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County- Stroger Hospital is a major trauma center providing critical, life-saving care to patients in urgent need. Jess was cared for by the skilled team at Stroger, who gave him a fighting chance and gave our family hope during the hardest moments.

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  • ​​Brady: United Against Gun Violence-Brady is one of the oldest and most trusted gun violence prevention groups in the U.S. They focus on saving lives through common-sense policies, education, and survivor support. Brady works to prevent the kind of everyday gun violence that took Jess from us. They believe that no family should have to live this kind of loss. Your donation helps them educate the public, change laws, and support victims — turning tragedy into change.

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  •  Everytown Survivor Network-This network connects and supports people who’ve lost loved ones to gun violence. It gives survivors a place to share their stories, heal together, and push for change in their communities. You’ll be helping survivors across the country find strength, healing, and a voice.

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  •  Project Unloaded-Project Unloaded works with teens and young adults to change how people think about guns. They use facts and peer-led education to help youth see that more guns don’t mean more safety. Support education that could save lives. Project Unloaded helps the next generation choose a safer path.​​​​

  • Lurie Children’s Hospital –  ​Lurie Children’s is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, providing top-level emergency and trauma care to children and teens when they need it most.

3. Leave a Message or Story

Has gun violence impacted your life too? Want to say something about Jess or offer encouragement to others?

Find the Our Voices, Our Story page or the Community Corner page and click the “comment” button to share your message :)

 

4. Volunteer or Advocate in Your Own City

Even small actions matter.

  • Volunteer with a youth center, mentor a student, or help organize a school safety event.

  • Share this website and Jess’s story to spread awareness.

  • Talk to your friends and family about how violence affects young people.

When we speak up, we make space for change.

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