ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) -- There is a new resource for crisis services in Rochester in response to homicides across the city.

Alia Henton-Williams is the manager of crisis intervention services unit for the city. She lost her brother to gun violence in the early 90s, which is when she decided to begin crisis intervention work in Rochester.

"In those moments, really, you're shaken. You don't know what's happening. Your sense of safety and well-being has taken a major hit. So, you need that time to be able to at least be present and process what's happening," said Henton-Williams.

With the launch of a new mobile response van, the city's crisis intervention team will respond to homicides across Rochester to provide needed supports to victims' loved ones.

"We're deployed for every homicide that occurs. So in general, we anticipate the unit will be needed at every homicide. I will say 90 percent of homicides will have a family member present, and so, we're going to be bringing the van with us when we dispatch," said Henton-Williams.

The team has worked alongside RPD's Major Crimes Unit for years, often utilizing the department's mobile unit for its own services.

With this new vehicle, families will have a comfortable space to process their traumas and speak with counselors.

The van will also offer a space where investigators and medical examiners can debrief.

"When a homicide is occurring during the winter or the early morning hours, people should not be standing outside trying to get support or trying to get answers. They should be in an environment that's safe, warm, that might be able to provide them with some refreshments, and just some of the items they need to go through those first really crucial hours of understanding and accepting they've lost a family member to a homicide," she said.

The mobile unit was secured through funding by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Joe Morelle.