What a great celebration of the history of our nation.
We at the Justice Coalition are a patriotic, community-minded organization. We love our country and the communities we serve, and we are grateful for the blessings we share under God’s watch.
For more than 30 years, the Justice Coalition has served thousands of victims and worked to reduce crime in North Florida. Our work began with a local business owner, Ted Hires, who believed that one person can make a difference, and we have carried that belief forward every day.
People often ask: What does the Justice Coalition do to help victims, or what resources are available? The truth is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Each situation is unique, and our approach is tailored to the individual needs of those we serve.
Here’s what we do, at the core:
- Educate victims about their rights and accompany them to court, or act on their behalf in the court system during pretrials, trials, depositions, and meetings when they cannot or choose not to attend.
- Provide one-on-one support to victims throughout the legal process, from arrest to conviction, sentencing, and parole.
- Help victims write and present impact statements at sentencing.
- Provide immediate crisis intervention and assess victims’ needs to implement an appropriate plan of action.
- Act as a liaison between victims, prosecutors, law enforcement, and the media.
- Assist victims in applying for state victim compensation.
- Offer grief counseling and refer to other appropriate organizations.
- Publicize rewards for unsolved murders, missing persons, and wanted fugitives.
And much more; these are just some of the ways we support victims and survivors. You never know what someone may need when they are thrust into crime through no fault of their own.
A few recent examples illustrate the impact of support:
We helped a mother who lost her adult son to murder while he was the family’s breadwinner. She had no job, no transportation, and little financial support, and she had to walk miles for groceries. The Justice Coalition provided funds to retrieve an impounded vehicle, helped her relocate to a more accessible area, and connected her with resources to care for her children.
We assisted a young man paralyzed by gun violence, helping him find a safe space, access essential medical care, and connect with partner organizations to address his needs.
Another case involved a mother who was missing; the Justice Coalition helped the family engage with law enforcement and the media to bring attention to the missing person and assist in locating her. Unfortunately, she was found murdered, and the Coalition supported the family through two years of court cases, grief counseling, and victims’ compensation claims.
These are just some of the ways your donations and support make a difference. Unlike many organizations, we rely heavily on donations and volunteers to sustain our mission of helping those at their lowest points. That’s why we say: we still need you, because they still need us. Please consider supporting the Justice Coalition and innocent victims of violent crime.
For safety and support, a few reminders:
- Stay aware of your surroundings and, if you see something, say something.
- If you witness crime or have camera footage, report it to local authorities. In Jacksonville, call JSO at 904-630-0500. Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 904-264-6512. St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office at 904-824-8304. Nassau County Sheriff’s Office at 904-225-5174. Or call our office at 904-783-6312. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS (8477).
If you are a victim of violent crime and in need of assistance, please contact us. If you’d like to help or learn more, please visit justicecoalition.org or call 904-783-6312. Your generosity, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference in real lives. To volunteer or advertise, email [email protected].
If you are a business owner in the local area, we want to partner with you. Contact me or my office to explore how we can work together for a safer North Florida. We adhere to strict transparency at all levels.
Sincerely,
Robert Bracewell
Executive Director
Justice Coalition, Inc.
Read the complete July 2026 edition of the Victims’ Advocate (PDF)