SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Former staff members and Commissioners of the Massey Commission announced the formation of the Massey Community Action Network (MCAN) Monday.
The organization was formed to "advance implementation of the Massey Commission's Calls to Action through education, organizing, advocacy, collaboration, and sustained civic engagement."
The Massey Commission was formed after Sonya Massey was shot and killed by former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson on July 6, 2024.
The Commission said MCAN represents the next phase of a long-term commitment to "transforming systems, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring meaningful accountability."
The organization will serve as the independent community entity responsible for helping make sure the Commission's recommendations are actually implemented.
MCAN's mission will be to "mobilize community partnership, honor civic accountability, and drive coordinated action to advance the Massey Commission's Calls to Action through measurable progress rooted in the Commission's Five Signature Priorities."
The organization will work to convene all accountable parties, educate the public, advocate for policy change, organize communities, pursue funding opportunities, and monitor progress toward implementation.
"The formation of the Massey Community Action Network is about making sure Sonya's life continues to inspire meaningful, systemic change," said Sontae Massey, cousin of Sonya Massey. "The Commission gave our community a roadmap, and the Massey Community Action Network exists to make sure that roadmap becomes reality. We believe Sonya is smiling down on us as we commit ourselves to building a community where accountability, compassion, and justice are more than ideals, they are reality. The Commission gave us the vision. Now it's our responsibility to deliver the change."
During its first year, MCAN will focus on securing sustainable funding and starting implementation of three to five priority Calls to Action identified by the Commission. It will work to expand community education, organize residents, advance policy reforms, strengthen collaborative partnerships, and establish systems to publicly track implementation and measure progress.
Long-term priorities of MCAN include the creation of a 24/7 mobile
crisis response system with wellness follow-up services ( named “GEMS”), a countywide co-responder program, strengthened psychological standards for first responders, and public-facing accountability dashboards that allow residents to monitor progress toward implementation of the Commission's recommendations.
Community members, organizations, and professionals interested in supporting or partnering with the Massey Community Action Network are encouraged to
complete the contact form at: https://sangamonil.gov/departments/a-c/county-board/massey-commission/contact-us.
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