About
About Up the Block
Up the Block is Philadelphia’s gun violence information and resource hub. Help is now one click away from our guide, and it’s free.
Our guide showcases resources designed to help anyone who has been affected by gun violence, or who thinks they are at risk of either shooting someone or being shot. We’re connecting Philadelphians to the people and organizations that provide trauma-related therapy, emergency care, Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Services, gun violence prevention initiatives, after-school opportunities, and more. The organizations listed in our guide can help you navigate difficult situations by providing therapy and teaching conflict resolution skills. In short, if you or someone you know has been hurt by gun violence, fears becoming a victim, or is at risk of harming someone, the organizations listed here may be able to help you heal and stay safe.
Up the Block is a product of The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering gun violence in America. To develop this site, The Trace’s local team in Philadelphia listened to Philadelphians to find out what information gaps needed to be filled. Community members told us they wanted to know where to turn after a shooting, what resources exist for children, teens, and young adults trying to thrive without exposing themselves to violence, and how to hold their local government leaders accountable for finding solutions to combat the daily shootings that continue to claim the lives of Philadelphians. The project builds on and is inspired by the crucial work of organizations like Billy Penn, Resolve Philly, The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting, and Free Press, who are pioneers in the kind of service journalism we’re hoping to do here. To read more about why this work is so important, take a look at our intro post.
To build this guide, we thoroughly researched organizations that aim to help Philadelphians navigate the challenges they are facing because of gun violence. Outside this platform, our local team’s research and work is shared and distributed on Instagram, at community events and gatherings, via flyers, and more. Through those channels, our intention is to get to know the people in the communities that we serve better and to stay connected.
For more information about our newsroom, visit The Trace’s website. To reach out to Up the Block directly, you can DM us on Instagram or email us at uptheblock@thetrace.org.
About the team
Afea Tucker is The Trace’s Philadelphia Community Engagement Reporter. One of her primary functions is managing Up the Block. Afea has a deep love for her city and its diverse communities. In addition to her passion for writing and helping others, Afea is a self-proclaimed foodie. As part of her job, she oversees Up the Block, a resource and information hub for Philadelphians who have been affected by gun violence. Before joining The Trace, Afea was a veteran media professional and freelance journalist whose work had been published by The Philadelphia Tribune, WHYY, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and other news organizations. Afea is a Temple University alumna, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
Contributors
Philadelphia Staff Writer: Mensah M. Dean
Local Newsletter Editor: Sunny Sone
Senior Editor, Local Impact: Joy Resmovits
Translator: Gabriela Rivera
Illustrator: Marian Bailey
Founding contributors: Sabrina Iglesias, former Trace community outreach editor; Emily Neil, freelance contributor
Community Partners
