Jacksonville Survivors Foundation

Jacksonville, Florida

Starting a new nonprofit isn’t easy, so Crystal Anlage was thrilled when the Jacksonville Survivors Foundation received a one by one grant to purchase promotional materials for nonprofits. With the grant, she ordered a banner, table runner and buttons, which were used to share the organization’s message at the city’s recent Crime Victims Right Week resource fair. “Having these items gave us a running start to spreading the word about the Jacksonville Survivors Foundation,” Anlage said. “Our booth looked better than anyone else’s and I was able to hand out round buttons so attendees would remember us.” Non-profit founders are survivors themselvesPhoto collage of branded tablecloth, promotional button and two women standing behind a table. As a survivor herself, Anlage wants to use her pain to help others. She and her husband, Matt, established the Jacksonville Survivors Foundation in September 2022, nearly two years after their 20-year-old son, Jacquez, lost his life due to gun violence. His case remains unsolved, and there is a $3,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. The foundation’s vision is to advocate, support, and provide a community that understands the challenges that come with losing a loved one to homicide. It offers access to mental health resources, support groups, peer-to-peer support, fun group activities and community events to raise awareness about violent crimes that lead to homicide. It strives to move people from victim to survivor. “I want to show survivors that it’s ok to live again, and that includes having fun and laughing,” Anlage said. “So, in addition to monthly prayer vigils where we remember and honor our loved ones, we also offer a book club, yoga and step classes.” Spreading awareness and hope with promotional materials for nonprofits While the families of homicide victims are assigned an advocate to help them work with police, the legal system and to receive any due compensation, they often feel like they’ve fallen through the cracks. “Community-based resources like ours are easier to access and more flexible,” Anlage said. “And sometimes it just helps to talk to someone who understands. Sadly, I know one family that has been affected by five homicides within three years. We also know our services will continue to be needed for the foreseeable future since Jacksonville is known as the “homicide capital” of Florida.”

For more information about Jacksonville Survivors Foundation, please visit https://www.jacksonvillesurvivorsfoundation.org/ opens in new window