This year in Philadelphia, 16 children under the age of 18 have been killed in shootings, according to the City Controller’s gun violence dashboard.
The city’s Office of Safe Neighborhoods is working to reduce that number.
A new pilot program — the Group Violence Intervention Juvenile (GVIJ) program — is focused on ages 12-17 who are most at risk of becoming involved in gun violence.
Organizers Deion Sumpter and Shondell Revell explain that Group Violence Intervention is an evidence-based violence prevention strategy that relies on a multi-pronged approach — provision of social services, police partnership and encouraging participation. Organizers say this can be achieved through substance abuse counseling, individual and family counseling, behavioral health treatment services, as well as workforce development programs and educational support.
“What I’m looking forward to most about the GVIJ pilot is the fact that this strategy now has a prevention component,” said Sumpter. “My team and I can’t wait to bring this work to our young people who need it most and to make a difference in their lives and their family’s lives.”
The program is funded, in part, through the advocacy of U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon and a $615,000 investment of federal dollars. The investment allows GVI to expand to hire new dedicated caseworkers who will focus on youth and their families.
“Gun violence takes an unacceptable toll on children and families in Philadelphia — but that does not have to be our reality,” said Scanlon. “With evidence-based solutions and strong collaboration in our communities and across all levels of government, I’m proud to see federal dollars at work to support promising programs like GVIJ to stem gun violence here at home and to expand this innovative and life-saving program.”
Program participants must be 12 to 17 years old and live in, or are enrolled in, the Philadelphia School District, and must have prior law enforcement contact (such as a prior arrest, being a shooting victim, and/or witnessing a violent crime).
The GVIJ pilot program will serve the entire 22nd Police District, with the intention of expanding citywide.
“I am looking forward to expanding the GVI program to better serve our young people,” said Adam Geer, Chief Public Safety Director of Philadelphia. “Unfortunately, gun violence is impacting younger and younger Philadelphians every year. GVIJ is our way of preventing further harm to our city’s youth. Philadelphia’s young people are its future, and I am proud to join Mayor Cherelle Parker, Congresswoman Scanlon, and all our partners in doing everything within our power to keep them safe.”
For more information about the program, email deion.sumpter@phila.gov .
