The Respond to Violence initiative was developed to bring together students, academics, citizens, community organizations, activists, policy makers, and social justice advocates in solutions-oriented discussions, research, and programs of action.

The Respond to Violence Scholarship was created by Yevette Brown in 2015 to support students interested in working to address violence issues through areas such as activism, policy, media, art, health, education, business, or technology.

The Respond to Violence Endowed Scholarship Fund rewards students pursuing meaningful work across disciplines addressing violence prevention via advocacy and community service–key elements in the university’s Respond to Violence initiative.

In response to reports of escalating violence in the Chicagoland area, the Governors State University community felt an urgent need to act. In an effort to assist our community in facing this crisis, GSU established an across-discipline team to explore ideas and solutions. Respond to Violence is the result of this collaboration.

In 2012 when the Respond to Violence initiative began, almost 224 Chicago area residents had been killed by gun violence, more than in Kabul, Afghanistan. In 2018, based on the Chicago Police Department's statistics, the number rose to more than 550, with shooting victims totaling almost 3,000.

The Medical community, as reported in University of Pennsylvania study, has noticed a distinct rise in asthma attacks in children impacted by violence. In Chicago, a city already first in the nation with this disease, emergency rooms have also detected a distinct rise in asthma attacks on week-ends when violence is most prevalent. The reason: children are under extreme stress from the violence plaguing their neighborhoods, families and schools.

Many young people live in fear, often showing signs of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome) as they struggle to navigate urban war zones.

We are a group of educators, students, community and civic leaders, people concerned about all aspects of violence and its prevention.

To learn more please visit the Respond to Violence website at
Respond to Violence | Governors State University (govst.edu).

If you are a student in any discipline advocating for violence prevention, you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Please visit Scholarship Universe for more details.
ScholarshipUniverse

If you are an alumni or community member, please consider giving to this important fund!

Eligibility:

• Any incoming student to GSU; freshman, transfer students, Masters and Doctoral level students qualify if they are new to GSU in the semester in which the scholarship is awarded.
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Must be enrolled (or enrolling) in a minimum of 6 credit hours.
• Must have financial need as evidenced by a FAFSA or DACA form on file.

Documents Required:

1. Essay (500 words) outlining what you are doing now, or future plans to work toward impacting your local community in the area of violence prevention and social justice. Applicants can address violence in any and all forms including, but not limited to, gun violence, sexual violence, and domestic violence.

Award Information:

Up to 1,000 dollars to as many students as the balance permits each fall.

Note: Award amounts may vary based on funding, availability, and addition, if any, to principal. Amount awarded shall not exceed tuition costs.

Donation Questions:
Email us at engage@govst.edu or Call us at +1.708.235.7510

Student Applicants:

If you’re interested in applying for this scholarship, or for more information, click here. Please note that during scholarship review periods, not all scholarships will be visible.  

Visit this site regularly, as scholarship opportunities become available throughout the year.

If you are a GovState student, log in with your GovState credentials.