What the org has to say: “The mission of the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia (AVP) is to reduce the entire cycle of violence by providing a wide range of services from support and counseling for victims and their families to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violence. We provide comprehensive and collaborative programs throughout Philadelphia in schools, social service agencies, the courts, and at community sites.”

What we found: The Partnership monitors changes in the community so its offerings better suit the needs of the people who seek it out. For example, the organization noticed that many of its clients were dealing with a level of re-victimization it hadn’t seen before, as well as the heavy impact on the entire family, so the staff has shifted its practices to address these issues. When responding to police brutality, AVP staffers recognized that they had to react to the level of violence instead of the label placed on the crime, because asking police to investigate the interests of other law enforcement can create conflicts of interest. You can partake in the organization’s support groups online or in-person.

What the org has to say: “To put it simply, we care about what we do and the livelihoods of our neighbors. Our organization is representative of the community we serve. We learn about the issues at hand, make informed decisions and take realistic approaches to live up to our mission, which is to help all families achieve their greatest potential.”

What we found: APM feels like a staple in the Kensington community, especially for Spanish speakers. Its Community Connector program aims to help members of the neighborhood tackle projects that will improve their blocks, such as clean-up efforts. They provide a wide variety of services, with many prioritizing mental health care, creative ways to work through trauma, and involvement in bettering the community.

What the org has to say: “Philadelphia CARES (which stands for Crisis Assistance, Response, and Engagement for Survivors) is a collaboration between the District Attorney’s Office, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Officer and the nonprofit Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia. The CARES unit is a division of The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office that seeks to help families of homicide victims.”

What we found: CARES primarily provides crisis response, including grief counseling, funeral assistance, and utility support. Before the pandemic, its representatives would meet victims at the scene of a crime or in the hospital for follow-up care. With in-person access limited by the pandemic, CARES now reaches out via phone to provide resources. The organization is connected to all major hospitals in Philadelphia, as well as to several faith-based organizations.

What the org has to say: “COMHAR is a comprehensive human services organization that provides community centers, community living arrangements, co-occurring behavioral health and addiction programs, services for the Latino community, services supporting individuals with HIV/Aids, and children and family services.”

What we found: Largely serving the Kensington neighborhood, the COMHAR’s representatives attend community events to offer its services to anyone who may need them. COMHAR has programs focused on art, recovery, and behavioral health specifically for Latinx individuals, and makes sure that no one ever pays for their services out of pocket. COMHAR has invested in language access to reach more residents, and offers its services in several languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Mandarin, and Malayalam.

What the org has to say: “Concilio provides critical human service programming such as foster care, adoption services, youth development, and after-school programming, and Victim Witness Services. Concilio is also an art and cultural convener for the community’s most significant and historical events.”

What we found: If you were the victim of a crime and find yourself having to move with little notice, Concilio can help. The organization can help you learn more about relocation, and also provides cash grants of up to $2,000 to speed up your move. Concilio is also a leader in assisting with Victims Compensation forms to make sure Philadelphians are getting the funds they need to cope with a homicide.

What the org has to say: “Survivors of a violent death have to contend with a totally different set of circumstances than someone who has experienced a ‘natural’ death. EMIR is here to guide survivors through the many feelings they will experience and the legal ramifications that are inevitable. EMIR offers concrete, practical, and compassionate steps towards healing.”

What we found: EMIR approaches healing by engaging the whole family in activism and advocacy. The organization refers to itself as a “homicide survivors center,” and says that in 20 years, it has never had to turn anyone away. Because the Philadelphia Police Department reports all homicides to EMIR, the organization can reach families when they need it the most.

What the org has to say: “Juvenile Law Center advocates for rights, dignity, equity and opportunity for youth in the child welfare and justice systems. We envision a world that affirms the unique and developmentally distinct qualities of youth, guarantees fair and equitable treatment, and ensures opportunities for successful adulthood.”

What we found: Juvenile Law Center takes a unique approach to the work they do: They view youth as leaders in child welfare and juvenile justice reform. The organization hires young Philadelphians to create advocacy projects. As participants pursue their work, the organization also trains them to talk to the media and speak publicly. Juvenile Law Center youth often attend hearings, city council meetings, press hearings, and workshops to help them best understand how these proceedings can differ from case to case.

What the org has to say: “We are a violence prevention, education and intervention-based organization, which advocates and supports youth, young adults, families and community organizations affected by violence. We are made up of impassioned mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and others who are committed to working towards saving lives and preventing another mother from having to experience this terrible tragedy.”

What we found: Parents in Philly can turn to Mothers in Charge if they’re looking for a place to work through grief related to violence. MIC’s founder lost her son to a shooting; she now supports other parents navigating similar tragedies. The organization offers services ranging from anger management to youth programming, which it hopes will prevent Philadelphia’s families from experiencing the pain of loss due to violence.

What the org has to say: “Northwest Victims Services aims to provide prompt, effective, and holistic services to all victims of crime in Northwest Philadelphia while increasing strategies to elevate community safety. Services provided include crisis and supportive counseling, accompaniment, financial assistance, and information/referral. In addition to providing services to crime victims, NVS provides community programs to increase safety and knowledge of their services.”

What we found: Losing a loved one to gun violence or surviving a shooting can create so many needs, including medical costs, lost time from work, funeral expenses, the need to move, counseling, and more. NWVS helps victims of all crimes face these hurdles, turning hardly anyone away. Even after an individual’s immediate needs are met, NWVS stays in touch by attending court with clients, sending holiday cards, and collaborating with local hospitals.

What the org has to say: “In an effort to prevent unintentional shootings, Temple University Hospital’s Safe Bet program offers free cable gun locks, no questions asked, to Philadelphia families who have small children and firearms.”

What we found: If you need a gun lock, Safe Bet at Temple Safety Net will give you one for free, no paperwork needed.

What the org has to say: “The ECO Foundation works collaboratively with the people we serve to provide creative education, healthy food, and employment opportunities, so they can meet their needs today and thrive for generations to come. We liberate people from institutional and structural oppression, so they can be better for themselves and their communities.”

What we found: ECO’s after-school classes teach young people things like self-defense, music, and video production, with the goal of helping students turn their new skills into employment. The Foundation also distributes free fresh food.

What the org has to say: “Uplift offers peer support groups for children and teens in grades K-12th who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives. Peer support and a caring adult presence help to reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness that children often experience after death. Creative activities and games allow children to express their thoughts and feelings about death. All groups are divided by age and developmental level to best tailor our support programs. Uplift also offers caregiver groups at the same time to provide support for adults raising a grieving child.”

What we found: Kids in Philadelphia who have lost loved ones can find solace in Uplift, whose Legacy group honors the deceased and teaches participants about healthy ways to cope with loss. The organization also trains professionals to support grieving youth. In partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, Uplift is currently running the Philly HopeLine, a toll-free number Philadelphians can call to speak with a clinician from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily about any issue that is causing them grief. To reach the Philly HopeLine, call 1-833-745-4673.

What the org has to say: “The mission of Women Against Abuse is to provide quality, compassionate, and nonjudgmental services in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in persons experiencing intimate partner violence and to lead the struggle to end domestic violence through advocacy and community education.”

What we found: Women Against Abuse serves people of all gender identities who are experiencing intimate partner violence, and operates the only emergency domestic violence shelters in Philadelphia. The organization has confidential locations and 24-hour security, as well as other trauma-informed on-site services, including case management, therapy, and children’s programming.

What the org has to say: “YEAH works to create safe and authentic hangout spaces by providing culturally relevant engagement and implementing teen led interventions to address the root causes of violence. Utilizing teen action, YEAH works to interrupt the cycle of youth community violence in West and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods through peer led mediation and conflict resolution, community engagement, and economic opportunities.”

What we found: YEAH Philly teaches kids conflict resolution and provides safe spaces, food, cash support for bills, and assistance finding jobs, all in an effort to help them stay safe and break the cycle of trauma in West and Southwest Philadelphia. The organization focuses especially on teens and young adults who have been labeled violent or at-risk, offering court advocacy, case management, and skill-building services for young people exiting the Juvenile Justice Center.