Mission
To provide pastoral care, assistance, and to identify and make available resources, to assist sexual abuse Victims-Survivors and their loved ones in their efforts to achieve psychological, emotional and spiritual healing.
History
The Office of Assistance Ministry was established in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1992 by then Joseph Cardinal Bernardin following the recommendations of the first ever Cardinal’s Commission on Clerical Misconduct. Cardinal Bernardin appointed a Victims Assistance Minister to fill this role.
Services Provided
Services and resources include:
- Facilitates the delivery of services and resources to Victims-Survivors
- I ndividual counseling/therapy
- Individual spiritual counseling
- Consultation and clinical resources for parish communities
Factual Information
Over the past 15 years, the Office of Assistance Ministry at the direction of the Cardinal Archbishop has provided services and support to over 400 Victims-Survivors and family members.
- Accompanies and assists those who come to the Church to report incidences of child sexual abuse by Church personnel.
- Arrange a meeting with the Cardinal at the appropriate time in the person’s healing.
- Refers Victims-Survivors to spiritual and psychological counseling.
- May provide financial support for clinical services during Archdiocesan process.
- At the expense of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Office of Assistance Ministry has provided therapy and spiritual counseling over the years.
- Sponsors an annual national conference for Victim Assistance Coordinators.
Contact Information
Matthew Hunnicutt
Director
Office Of Assistance Ministry
Post Office Box 1979
Chicago, Illinois 60690-1979
312-751-8267
Toll-free: 866-517-4528
312-751-8307, fax
mhunnicutt@archchicago.org
Assistmin@archchicago.org
Mayra Flores
Assistant Director
Office Of Assistance Ministry
Post Office Box 1979
Chicago, Illinois 60690-1979
312-751-8267
Toll-free: 866-517-4528
312-751-8307, fax
mflores@archchicago.org
Assistmin@archchicago.org