While Andrew Holmes is often on the news wearing a hoody and talking to reporters, he passionate activist. Born in Montgomery Alabama, Holmes was raised in the Englewood and Auburn-Gresham communities. He is also the father of five adult children.

While he serves as a village trustee in Dolton, Illinois, his influence and intervention can be felt across Chicago and its suburbs. Holmes does not just have sympathy for families who have lost loved ones to gun violence; he has empathy grown out of his own pain. Twenty-five years ago he was the victim of gun violence. Most recently 32-year-old daughter, Tamara, was caught in the crossfire of gun violence in Indianapolis, leaving behind five children.

Holmes has worked in civil service and community activism with Alderman Terry Peterson and State Representative Milton Patterson. Today, Andrew Holmes works to defuse violence and encourage residents to help police eradicate crime. He is also a Crisis Responder for Chicago’s Citizens for Change and Chicago Survivors. Mr. Holmes is also the president of Operation Restoring Innocence, an organization whose purpose is “to combat sexual exploitation and human trafficking.” Still, much of what he does cannot be seen by the public. He started Club 100 to serve 100-year-old nursing home residents, many of whom have no family to visit them

Andrew Holmes is a man on a mission. “It’s not about me… It’s about helping people.” Andrew Holmes has come to the realization that crisis response is his calling.

The EZRA Project appreciates the various media outlets whose interviews and articles about Andrew Holmes have been referenced for this biography.