Survivors of gun violence and public safety advocates will gather Saturday and later this month to raise awareness of victim compensation programs that could reimburse families paying for funeral costs, counseling, lost wages, and other expenses in the wake of tragedy.

Saturday’s event by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Granma’s House Community Resource Center, 2097 Joseph E. Boone Blvd N.W., Atlanta.

Many people don’t realize the heavy financial and emotional burdens that violent crimes place on survivors and their families, said Aswad Thomas, national director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.

Only four percent of violent crime survivors are aware that state compensation programs exist to help cover expenses they incur, according

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