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: “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 organization has to say:

“Our organization focuses on youth development programming and youth empowerment. Our goals are to remove barriers and labels placed on underserved communities. Programs are structured to engage and challenge the youth to be agents of change themselves.”

What we found:

Change Our Future recently launched the “Next Man Up” mentoring program at Parkway Northwest High School in West Oak Lane, and is preparing to expand to two more schools. COF also hosts a free annual “I AM Youth Leadership Summit” for Philadelphia high school students. The youth leadership summit provides leadership workshops, motivational speeches, gender table talks, resume review, career development workshops, and connections to job opportunities at their signature career fair. Throughout the year, COF also collects and distributes school supplies and personal hygiene products for students of all ages.

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: “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: “LPA provides pro-bono counseling with youth and families who cannot access services elsewhere due to language, economic, legal, and social barriers. We work and learn alongside those who are impacted by lack of documentation and displacement of family members.”

What we found: LPA’s executive director, Cathi Tillman, says the organization sees the people it works with as community members, rather than clients. The organization has created a community of individuals who are searching for constructive ways to work through their mental health concerns. Many participants have referred their friends and family to LPA’s legal counseling. Tillman describes members as feeling “more empowered, feeling more connected, less afraid, more confident, more competent” through their work with LPA.

What the org has to say: “We are a nonprofit organization that focuses on teaching kids to think clearly so they can write with clarity. With all completed work going ungraded, our organization strives to create a non-traditional classroom atmosphere where kids can express themselves through their writing.”

What we found: Mighty Writers works to be as accessible as possible by having many locations across the city. The group believes that clear thinking is a part of anti-violence work, because a clearer mind will lead to less impulsive decision-making, and that its writing exercises can give young people in Philadelphia a clearer state of mind. The MW workspaces encourage participants to use writing to navigate their feelings and express any difficulties they may be facing. Pre-pandemic, Mighty Writers hosted an anti-violence get-together, where kids got to explain their experiences with violence directly to their local politicians.

What the org has to say: “The PMAY Artists’ Initiative is designed for serious music students who have a high musical aptitude and the motivation to pursue a professional music career on a standard orchestral instrument. It is a collaboration of leading Philadelphia music institutions that believe in providing access to music education for all students.”

What we found: Middle and high school students who know how to play instruments as part of an orchestra can audition for this prestigious program, which encourages them to pursue a career in music. Staffers attend workshops focused on trauma-informed practices.

What the org has to say: “Our mission at Power of Paint Art Academy & Management is to connect, unite, heal, and cultivate leaders who have a strong sense of community, self-awareness, and social responsibility. Our goal is to help counter issues such as depression, boredom, anxiety, esteem issues, grief/loss, and stress, among other things, by hosting art classes, workshops, and community events.”

What we found: Power of Paint started as a small group of women using art to build their self-esteem and focus on mental health. Once confined to a small North Philly basement, the organization has expanded to create hubs in West Philly, Southwest Philly, and over Zoom. POP realized that everyone in the city was being affected by gun violence and opened the opportunities up to anyone interested, young or old. Now, POP is a reliable and accessible safe space for Philadelphians to use art to address trauma.

What the org has to say: “Sankofa Healing Studio recognizes incarceration as a traumatic experience. The system of mass incarceration operates through structures of gendered and racial discrimination which disproportionately affect the Black Community. Sankofa is breaking the physical and emotional chains of trauma. We believe that holistic treatment approaches are needed to disrupt the development of re-traumatization, interrupt the cycle of intergenerational trauma, and heal the wounds of traumas that were experienced before incarceration. We support transformative justice.”

What we found: Sankofa offers therapy and other services that support mental health, with an emphasis on supporting the Black community through the impacts of racial and gender discrimination, particularly incarceration and interactions with police. The healing studio team runs trauma-informed in-person and online therapy sessions, group therapy “healing circles,” reentry support groups, and peer support programs for mental health professionals.

What the org has to say: “Taller Puertorriqueño uses art to promote development within its community and the Latino Diaspora and build bridges to the Greater Philadelphia region. We are a community-based cultural organization whose primary purpose is to preserve, develop and promote Puerto Rican arts and culture, grounded in the conviction that embracing one’s cultural heritage is central to community empowerment.”

What we found: Taller Puertorriqueño’s education director, Marilyn Rodriguez, says her organization strives to help the community in any shape or form. The colorful exterior of its Kensington location invites neighbors in and highlights the community beyond the violence. The organization offers tours of their gallery and the Fairhill neighborhood’s murals as an introduction to the neighborhood’s rich Latinx history and community. Taller Puertorriqueño serves Kensington by offering bilingual services, holiday meals for those in need, a free after-school arts program, and community events.

What the org has to say: “The Center for Returning Citizens is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of returning citizens (formerly incarcerated people), their families, and communities. Our goal is to fight social injustice and mass incarceration by helping returning citizens transition and build new lives, advocating for their rights, and educating the public about the detrimental effects of mass incarceration.”

What we found: TCRC works primarily with people impacted by the criminal justice system and who are looking to fulfill their court-mandated community service. The organization aims to help these individuals have a meaningful community service experience that benefits the communities they’re from. TCRC is run by individuals who were previously incarcerated themselves, which they say gives them a unique perspective on their work. “We’re formerly incarcerated and we’re OGs,” says founder J. Jondhi Harrell. “We’re former bank robbers, former gang leaders, former drug dealers, and we’re uniquely qualified to show kids something different and be positive role models in their lives.”

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 organization has to say:
The Elevation Project is a community-based organization that strives to meet the needs of both at-risk and formerly incarcerated individuals by providing a variety of services in a safe and supportive environment in order to empower fresh starts and open new pathways. Our work aims to improve lives, reduce recidivism and crime, and drive systemic change. The Elevation Project focuses on providing quality programming in following areas: cognitive thinking, coping with trauma, job readiness, parenting skills, and business development.

What we found out:

The Elevation project runs three programs including The Transformative Business Center, Reentry Support Hub, and The Elevate Program. It also hosts monthly community events centered around justice-impacted families, such as record-clearing clinics and food giveaways. Their Transformative Business Center (Small Business Incubator) gives budding entrepreneurs access to workshops, traditional office equipment, and trade-specific technology. The** Reentry Support Hub** helps residents apply for benefits, create resumes, apply to jobs, and access clothes, housing, and other basic needs. Specific job training includes CPR, ServSafe, and OSHA certification. The organization’s newest initiative, the Elevate Program, works with young men to start their own T-shirt lines. Throughout the eight-week workshop, participants work with case managers and mentors to design, print, package, and market the shirts. It’s all in an effort to give those at risk of incarceration a means of supporting themselves.

What the organization has to say:

“We’re a community-based organization. Our whole mission is early intervention and violence prevention. We specialize in workforce development, offering job training, job readiness, and financial literacy courses. We teach kids how to go out and get jobs and have the right attitude and work ethic to live productive lives and earn an income. We’ve started adding a mental health and social component to our program. Each youth gets a case manager, a youth coordinator, and a network of adults that are here to help guide you and want to see your success. And we use the term real models, meaning that we are people who grew up in the shoes that you’re now walking in.”

What we found:

The NOMO Foundation offers tutoring and educational resources. Volunteers, including some teachers, focus on reducing barriers students face in their home and school environments. Students are eligible for incentives like free transportation, childcare, and up to $200 a month, for personal expenses. Parents can sometimes get help paying their utilities. There are NOMO Foundation centers in North, West, and South Philadelphia. The West Philly center offers transitional housing.

NOMO has an agreement with the District Attorney’s Office that allows some juvenile offenders to participate in its youth programming, in lieu of serving time in jail. There are trauma counselors onsite to help with their rehabilitation. NOMO also offers creative healing spaces through a unique art therapy program. NOMO’s RIPS program offers restorative justice counseling and advice to youth.

What the org has to say: “Our mission is to amplify the voices and aspirations of our North Philadelphia community by providing arts-based opportunities for self-expression and personal success that engage youth and their families, revitalize physical space, and preserve black heritage.”

What we found: The Village strives to create a mental and physical safe space for any young person it connects with. Students at the Village learn both the artistic and business aspects of art forms like photography, ceramics, and sustainable design. The Village primarily recruits directly from the neighborhood it exists in, and relies on other organizations to help it reach young people who have been incarcerated or involved with the criminal justice system.

What the organization has to say: “We work with youth that are at risk of shooting a gun or had a relative that was murdered. We connect them to the trades through our carpentry academy classes. They learn how to paint, put down floors, put up walls, and more. Most of our students come from single-parent households. We give them a weekly stipend, pair them with mentors, and take them on monthly trips. We also offer free therapy sessions through the Black Brain Campaign.”

What we found:

Unity in the Community has a resource center in South Philadelphia. People can get help looking for jobs, building their resumes, conflict resolution, and other essential needs.

The organization runs the Unity in the Community Carpentry Academy, a 24-week program that teaches teenagers between the ages of 14 and 19 about the basics of carpentry twice a week. Students receive a weekly stipend of $150, meals, and construction tools. They are also assigned a mentor and can receive free therapy at the center.  After they graduate, Unity connects students with employment opportunities; the organization also provides equipment to enable them to work on freelance projects, in their homes, and throughout the community.

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: “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.

What the organization has to say:

Parents and interested family members should expect that their respective teen participants will be exposed to new concepts, ideas, and skill sets in an effort to widen their perspectives. We believe that many of our Philadelphia youth benefit from being immersed in new spaces and exposed to professionals who can provide mentorship, guidance, and support to assist youth in gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and what their futures can be. We’re creating a space that feels safe, where young people feel like they are cared for, and that they matter.

What we found out:
The goal of the Achievers Program is to prepare young people to live healthier lives by helping them access opportunities in higher education or careers. They do that by partnering with colleges and employers to teach character and life skills through lessons on conflict resolution, team building, and civic engagement. Trips to college campuses paired with onsite professional guest speakers expose youth to college prep initiatives, campus clubs, and other collegiate activities. Workshops connect them with professionals who can help them financially prepare for college. A volunteerism arm requires students to engage in small acts of kindness.

What the org has to say: “YASP is building a youth-led movement to end the practice of trying and incarcerating young people as adults and create a world without youth incarceration.  Through our work in the Philadelphia jails, YASP provides space for incarcerated young people to express themselves creatively and to develop as leaders both within and beyond the prison walls.”

What we found: YASP is a participatory defense hub, which is a method of community organizing that empowers people to fight for themselves in the legal system. As the only participatory defense youth hub in Philadelphia, YASP has worked to end the incarceration of young people and help incarcerated youth become community leaders. Their program The Healing Futures is the city’s first pre-charge restorative justice program, which serves as an alternative to prosecution for young people who would otherwise be facing charges in the criminal justice system. YASP also offers training in youth organizing and volunteer opportunities.

What the org has to say: “YSRP uses direct service and policy advocacy to transform the experiences of children prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system, and to ensure fair and thoughtful resentencing and reentry for individuals who were sentenced to life without parole as children (‘Juvenile Lifers’).”

What we found: YSRP’s goal is to have juvenile cases moved out of the adult justice system because in Pennsylvania, children as young as 10 can be charged as adults. Philadelphia has sentenced more children to life in prison without parole than any other city in the country. The organization works with clients for as long as they want, including when they are incarcerated and when they come home and need help reentering society. The staff meets monthly with trauma-informed therapists who teach them how to support the youth they are serving. YSRP offers art and poetry workshops to youth who are currently incarcerated and were charged as adults. Due to COVID, clients are now participating in those workshops over Zoom, on prison computers.