Brooklyn’s District Attorney’s Office is expanding its support for victims of violent crime with a new $354,000 federal grant aimed at helping victims and their families in the immediate aftermath of homicides and serious assaults.

U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan) presented the check to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez at the DA’s Downtown Brooklyn office on Sept. 9. The funding will expand the office’s Supportive Outreach and Assistance (SOAR) program, which connects victims and their families with trauma care, legal guidance, relocation services and emergency financial assistance.

Launched in 2025 as a pilot program within the Brooklyn DA’s Victim Services Unit, SOAR supports victims of violent crime and their families with immediate, person-first assistance after a homicide or serious violent assault. The program connects them directly with mental health providers, counselors and specialized trauma care, filling gaps that traditional compensation programs cannot always cover.

Outreach specialists and social workers reach out to victims and families within 24 to 48 hours after a homicide or serious violent assault. Key services include victims’ rights experts who inform them of their legal rights and help them navigate the complexities of the justice system; relocation services for victims who have to move from dangerous environments or unstable housing following a violent crime; and emergency funds for funeral expenses, rent, groceries, housing support, medical bills and other basic needs in the immediate aftermath of violence.

The funding, which is part of $13,756,000 in federal funding Goldman secured for 15 community projects in New York’s 10th Congressional District through the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process, will allow the DA’s office to expand SOAR services, cover the salary of a program coordinator and hire four new staff members.

The $354,000 in federal funding will allow the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office to expand its SOAR program, which provides immediate support and resources to victims of violent crime and their families.Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office

Goldman pointed out that oftentimes, the crime victim was also the “breadwinner,” leaving families without a viable source of income. He thanked the Brooklyn DA for his leadership in providing Brooklyn families with “the respect and care they deserve.”

“Violent crime often leaves lasting trauma for victims and their families, who benefit greatly from immediate assistance,” Goldman said. “I am proud to have secured $354,000 to fund the Kings County District Attorney’s Office’s program that does just that – from financial help to mental health assistance.”

DA Gonzalez explained that SOAR not only built trust with the DA’s office but also provided much-needed, trauma-informed support to victims and their families in the immediate aftermath of a crime. The program also connected them with supportive services, which helped reduce retaliatory or escalating violence and improve public safety.

“This is the kind of practice that our justice system should be. It should be trauma-informed and put people first, and that is what we’re trying to do here,” Gonzalez said, noting that Brooklyn was on track to beat its 2025 record as the safest year in the history of the county in terms of gun violence and homicides.

“We reduced our gun violence and our homicide rate by 46 percent this summer. But there’s still too much violence. Of course, there are still too many victims and survivors who are injured and don’t know what’s going to happen next. What this money is going to do is allow a social worker to reach out within 24 hours, at most within 48 hours -even often before the police are able to make an arrest- to let them know what services are available to deal with the grief and the trauma.”

U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced $354,000 in federal funding for the DA’s SOAR program, which provides immediate assistance to victims and families following homicides and serious violent assaults.Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office

Melissa Martinez, director of Victim Services at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, noted that providing aid immediately after a homicide or violent assault was critical.

In 2025, the SOAR team served 456 cases and, so far this year, 256 cases. One case involved the murder of a mother of four. SOAR provided the family with critical, immediate emotional support, guidance and assistance, and the family shared that the support had been critical in helping them get through each day as the criminal justice process was ongoing. In a separate case, a mother whose son was murdered shared that working with SOAR helped her find a greater sense of closure and support as she navigated her grief.

“Individuals and their loved ones may be waiting for answers while experiencing immense shock and grief. At the same time, they may urgently need help accessing resources such as housing, funeral expenses, financial assistance, and other basic needs,” Martinez explained. “We know that healing takes longer when those underlying needs are left unaddressed.”