Friends, Please share. Thank you. Jay Gilmer, Esq. 412-592-9472 | Violence Prevention Partner Success Story, March 31 Press Event, Violence Prevention Jobs, Resources, Facts & Stats & More | | | | | | | | In This Issue: *Violence Prevention Partner Success Story* *March 31 Press Conference* *Violence Prevention Job Opportunities* | | | | March 28, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | Stop the Violence Newsletter | | | | | | | | | | The City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Office exists to change the community narrative about violence and stop the spread of the disease of violence in the City. While we are concerned as well with the surrounding areas and will share solutions and events in those areas, we only have jurisdiction in the City. We would be pleased to share our knowledge and strategies with any jurisdiction outside of the City. Table of Contents - Violence Prevention Partner Update & Success Story: YMCA-Homewood - Something You Can Do: Attend the Mayor's Press Conference March 31 at Ammon Recreation Center-Hill District - Solutions-Zone 3: Jobs with Allegheny County/Rapid Employment and Development Initiative - Solutions-McKees Rocks: Job with Focus On Renewal - Community Violence Reduction - City Solutions: 2022 Stop The Violence Community Investment Grant Recipient Programs-Part 2 - Solutions: Summer Learn & Earn - Solutions: Call 211 for Youth Diversion Services - Violence Prevention Partner Activity-Zone 3: The Brashear Association - Violence Prevention Partner Activity-Zone 5: Melanin Mommies - Violence Prevention Partner Activity-Zone 2+: Ozanam Basketball League - Something You Can Do: Prayer Event Saturday April 8 - City Solutions: To Prevent or Interrupt Violence, Contact REACH - Special Appeal: For Officer Jeffrey Crawford - Solutions Archive: Cure Violence-Part 1 - City Solutions: Let Us Know Using StopTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov - Training: Community Violence Intervention; Group Violence Intervention+, GVI Support & Outreach; Conflict Resolution Training and More - Facts and Stats: From February 2023 - Coming Events - Solutions: Hotlines - Tips for You, Poll Responses & Previous Newsletters - Community Resources - Brochure: Domestic Violence Resource Guide - Brochure: You and the Police Please complete the 8 polls in this Newsletter (#8 is at the very end of the Newsletter) NOTE: This Newsletter is full of pictures. If you cannot see them, they may be blocked by your computer. You can unblock by clicking on a button that may be at the top or bottom of your computer screen. Please encourage the people in your networks to subscribe to the Newsletter. If anyone you forward the Newsletter to would unsubscribe, you will be unsubscribed as well (and would need to resubscribe to receive the Newsletter again). If you're interested in helping STOP the violence, please send us an email by clicking HERE. Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh STOP The Violence Newsletter | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Violence Prevention Partner Success Story: YMCA-Homewood The Homewood YMCA has been a community institution for over 100 years. They are also a City of Pittsburgh 2022 STOP the Violence Community Investment Grant recipient. These grants were intended for organizations: - located in neighborhoods that currently experience high levels of violence - that had experience implementing community programs that impact high-risk community members - had established relationships and trust among the people most impacted by violence - were working to change community norms regarding violence in order to prevent the spread of the disease of violence In its recent progress report to the City, the Y reported the following successes: | | | | December 2022A 14-year old girl was killed at the laundromat down the street from the Homewood Brushton YMCA. YMCA staff talked with students about both the negative and positive nature of the neighborhood they live in. Students wrote and created art about how their community makes them feel. These were then read anonymously by teaching artists to inspire appreciation for the neighborhood we are fighting to protect and change. | | | | February 2023Many of the teens participating in Homewood Brushton YMCA programs attend Westinghouse High School. On Tuesday, February 14th there was a shooting at Westinghouse High School. One of the students who participates in the Lighthouse Program, came to the Y immediately following this incident, sharing his trauma of being at the school and hearing the gun shots. As with any emergency involving a program participant, YMCA lead staff held an emergency meeting to discuss how to support students affected by this event; this is the fifth or sixth shooting incident in our neighborhood within the past two years. During the meeting it was discussed that although the Y offers a safe place and has always been responsive in building a plan of action in the moment, a change was needed. A specific protocol or plan of action was needed to account for the grim reality that this will happen again and the Y needed to be prepared to act. | | | | | | | | | | The process developed by the Y is one that students are able to replicate at home, either alone or with friends or family. It starts here: A: Conversation. Y staff opened the class in the collaboration space as a change of pace and a way of indicating the day would be a little different than normal. As there was no school the following day, some students arrived early and began working on their current project. They said they were bored and didn't want to stay at home, so they came to the Y. Other students arrived soon afterward. All of the students who came were obviously stressed, but they wanted to be with their chosen family. We offered them space or one-on-one time if they needed it. As these conversations have been held many times, students were reluctant to speak on the subject, however staff eased them into the topic by asking what they knew or had heard. Students were never corrected, they were simply listened to, taking these five steps: Step 1. Before the day started, staff did research on the shooting. Step 2. The session began by acknowledging what happened without giving any details. Step 3. Students were asked what they knew about what happened. • "Did you see it?"• "Did anyone you know see it?"• "Did anyone get injured?" • "How does that make you feel?"• "What would make you feel safe?" Step 4. After this, staff shared what they had learned from their research and compared notes. Step 5. A group discussion was held on non-malicious misinformation (honest mistakes). This talk gave students a chance to share their perspective and how it affected them. Initially, they were hesitant, but as the conversation progressed, they relaxed and grew more open to discussing their thoughts. B: Ritual of relaxing art creation. Painted Stones of Acknowledgement: Students and staff went out to the garden and picked up stones. Everyone then sat in the garden and painted them together. These stones are our stones of acknowledgement. Every student painted a stone, and visually relaxing as they found their stones and began to paint. Most wanted to paint a second stone. They made a mess, they made art, and they smiled. Results: After dinner, staff brought the students back to the community room. A volunteer who had just arrived, not knowing what had happened asked, "Why is everyone in such a good mood?" As staff looked around they saw a completely different room from when the session had started. Our efforts had paid off in smiles and comfort and it was a visible change. The day ended with an Oracle card (similar to Tarot, but Native American) reading about community, followed by a 30-minute free-write. The students enjoyed themselves and some have decided to share their free writes with the world. Future Components of the Process C: Building a monument of acknowledgment from the art ritual. The painted stones will find their home at our monument of acknowledgement around one of the trees in the garden. Whenever there is an act of violence in our neighborhood, we will gather stones, paint them, and add them to the monument. Over time, we may have many stones creating something beautiful by acknowledging moments of pain. D: Communicate to the community that we see and acknowledge what has happened. For one week after an act of violence, we will light one of our trees at night, in acknowledgement. | | | | | | | | | | | | David A. Jones, Assistant Director of the Department of Public Safety said: "Thank you, Homewood Y, for taking these actions to reduce the trauma associated with violence and help stop the spread of this disease. We appreciate your efforts." | | | | | | Poll #1: Did you read this story about the Homewood Y? | | | Yes | | Select | | | | | | | | No | | Select | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Something You Can Do:Stop the Violence Family Resource CouncilPress Conference All are invited! | | | | Join the Mayor and other City officials at Ammon Recreation Center, 2217 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh 15219 on Friday March 31 fro 4 to 6 pm. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Solutions-Zone 3: Jobs With Allegheny County/Rapid Employment and Development Initiative | | | | Last month, this Newsletter reported on the $50 million that Allegheny County was investing in violence prevention activities. One of those activities is the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI), a paid transitional jobs program that is primarily focused on violence prevention by identifying those most at risk for involvement with violence. | | | | | | | | | | In partnership with the South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace and Divine Intervention Ministries, this program is being launched in the Allentown, Beltzhoover, Knoxville and Carrick neighborhoods as well as Mount Oliver Borough. Several positions are now available to staff this exciting initiative. Positions include: - Program Manager - $60,000 salary - Work Crew Supervisor - $40,000 salary - Outreach Worker - $40,000 salary - Coach (case manager) - $40,000 salary - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinician - $60,000 salary - Clinical Support - $40,000 salary Position descriptions can be found on the Divine Intervention Ministries website or click HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | Solutions-McKees Rocks: Job With Focus on Renewal -Community Violence Reduction | | | | Another position funded by Allegheny County is the Focus On Renewal Community Violence Reduction Plan Program and Outreach Coordinator. Salary $60,000. This is to coordinate activities in McKees Rocks and Stowe Township, which are just outside of Pittsburgh Police Zone 6. More information can be found on the Focus On Renewal website or click HERE. | | | | | | Poll #2: Can you share this information with someone? | | | Yes | | Select | | | | | | | | No | | Select | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | City Solutions:2022 STOP The ViolenceCommunity Investment Grant Funded Programs- Part 2 | | | | Community organizations receiving 2022 Stop The Violence Community Investment Grants are located in each police zone. They were selected from over 100 applicants and received a total of almost $1 million. Collectively, these groups constitute the City's first cohort of Violence Prevention Partners. | | | | This is part 2 of a listing of all funded projects. Organizations are listed in alphabetical order. Descriptions include police zone and a brief overview of the project. A contact person is listed for each organization. They can all be reached by email by clicking on their name. The first group of projects was in the February Newsletter. Additional projects will be listed next month. Center of Life - Zone 4 Adding additional training for staff and participants in violence prevention, de-escalation and conflict resolution which will affect youth and families in Hazelwood, including materials and mentoring. Integrate the elements of trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning skills, and methods for violence prevention directly into daily operations of all of their programs. Implement high-risk intervention plans that will help to identify and support students who exhibit potentially harmful or dangerous behaviors, while engaging with their family, school, and community networks to develop a plan of action and provide recourses and referrals if needed. Coordinated by Patrick Ohrman. Community Empowerment Association - Zone 5 Assist identified youth at Westinghouse Academy to decrease the tendency for inappropriate behaviors. Conduct educational workshops related to understanding and overcoming risk factors and developing appropriate coping, problem solving and de-escalation skills, and developing a purpose, self-care and skill building for positive social interaction. Engage parents of identified youth through workshops and educational forums in ways to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors related to the causes of violence. Coordinated by Rashad Byrdsong. East End Cooperative Ministry - Zone 5 Introduce and practice character building skill, teaching competency and conduct skills, and promote education and holistic health to at risk middle and high school students in the East End of Pittsburgh through in-school and after school programs. Program components include drug avoidance, healthy relationships, anger management, social interaction, conflict resolution, communication and promoting respect for self and others. Coordinated by Michael Bartley and Reverend Darnell Leonard (Executive Director). Homewood Children's Village - Zone 5 Continuing existing programming for 50 Westinghouse high school students and assisting with the creation of a middle school out-of-school time program for 50 students in grades 6-8 who attend Westinghouse Academy. Staff training includes mental health first-aid and conflict de-escalation. A postsecondary plan will be developed with and for each participant. 75% of participants will set and complete a goal on their postsecondary plan. Participants will establish and develop positive adult-youth relationships. Coordinated by JaLissa Coffee. Infinite Lifestyle Solutions - Zone 1 Train 10 safety ambassadors from Northside middle schools and 5 volunteer safety ambassadors from the community who will use restorative conflict resolution skills learned to mediate or diffuse conflicts or acts of violence. The safety ambassadors are based on the Cure Violence interrupter model. Coordinated by Cecilia Ware. Iota Phi Foundation - Zone 1 Link 40 local high school students with mentors, expose them to potential majors at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and engage in at least 5 organized group activities plus service learning and field trips. This African American fraternity has a facility in Manchester. Coordinated by Rahmon Hart. Melanin Mommies - Zone 5 Provide accessible, trauma-informed grief counseling to a cohort of up to 25 families from the East Hills neighborhood that have grief associated with gun violence and link them to local trauma support and behavioral health systems. Coordinated by Latrice Rose. Northside Partnership Project – Zone 1 Launch an anti-violence campaign and communications strategy in the 18 neighborhoods on the Northside. The primary theme is “See Something-Say Something”. The strategy will include signs, events, community meetings, information sharing and expert workshops. Coordinated by English Burton and Reverend Eleanor Williams. Ozanam, Inc. - Zone 2 Expanding their existing athletic programming (focused on basketball), specifically by focusing on broadening participation for high-risk young men (age 19 and under), and developing an infrastructure for prevention and conflict resolution, engaging 100 youth in 10-week league. Also adding trauma informed training throughout the organization which will connect with 300 youth. Finally, conducting a Teen Violence Forum as part of their annual Youth Leadership Conference as a vehicle to actively engage youth as problem solvers and change agents that can influence solutions. Coordinated by Darrelle Porter. POORLAW - Zone 4 Expanding the operations of its Data Hub, which collects information on returning citizens. Also identifying households to participate in a community block watch and safe house program. And continuing their efforts to hire returning citizens for an urban agriculture workforce development program. Youth development and mentoring would be funded separately through WYPAA for the Hazelwood Cobras. Coordinated by Saundra Cole. Project Destiny - Zone 1 Hire a qualified, licensed social worker to conduct individual meetings with at-risk students and their families. Expand programming in to add 15 students, age 12-18, from the Northview Heights, Manchester and Perry neighborhoods with a weekly Youth Club which will include team building, community building and mentoring activities, meeting with the social worker and referrals to necessary programs and services (for youth and families). Coordinated by Reverend Brenda Gregg and Dr. Daphne Curges. PROMISE - City-wide Host basketball games and competitions for youth, families and adults that also offer a variety of violence prevention workshops, health and physical fitness activities, healing circles, cultural diversity and inclusion workshops; psychotherapy, trauma, and restorative passages workshops/training sessions; and personal development Sessions (including self-esteem, self-control, self-worth, and self-respect). Coordinated by Jakim Donaldson. | | | | The entire list of 2022 grant recipients and funded programs has been posted on the Department of Public Safety's Violence Prevention website. To see it, just click HERE. If you would like contact information on any of the grantees, please contact the STOP the Violence Office. These grants are a component of the Pittsburgh Plan For Peace that will compliment the existing work being done by the City's Group Violence Intervention Support and Outreach efforts, including the REACH team. These violence prevention efforts are made possible by the City's STOP the Violence Trust Fund. | | | | | | Poll #3: Do you think that the work of these programs helps prevent violence? | | | Yes | | Select | | | | | | | | No | | Select | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Solutions: Jobs-Summer Learn & Earn For anyone from age 14 to 21 | | | | | | | | | | Poll #4: Do you know anyone 14 to 21 who needs a summer job? | | | Yes | | Select | | | | | | | | No | | Select | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Solutions: Call 211 for YOUth Diversion Services To Divert Youth From the Criminal Justice System | | | | Caring Connections for YOUth is a community-led initiative developed by the Black Girls Equity Alliance (BGEA) that provides access to supports and services to ANY YOUTH, up to age 18, living in Allegheny County as a diversion from the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. | | | | The goal for Caring Connections for YOUth is to reduce youth violence and arrests by reducing the interactions that children have with police. Caring Connections for YOUth works with 211, so if a kid or a family in Allegheny County needs help for things like a conflict between a parent and child, truancy, fighting or even minor drug possession, all they have to do is call 211, press 3 and be connected with an operator instead of the cops. The program was developed based on data collected by Gwen's Girls. They looked at the numbers of juveniles who are arrested, cited or referred to juvenile court for minor offenses. They found that not knowing who to call for resources and support was one reason young people ended up in the system, when really they needed help. For a December 2022 story from KDKA-TV on Caring Connections for YOUth, please click on the picture of Dr. Kathi Elliott below. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Violence Prevention Partner Activity-Zone 3:The Brashear Association You can still sign up for this opportunity in the South Hills! The Brashear Association cares about Stopping the Violence in Pittsburgh. They are looking for committed, motivated parents and caregivers from South Pittsburgh and the Hilltop. Nominate yourself and/or a friend to participate in this 8-week training program designed to help parents and caregivers develop the skills needed to effectively advocate for themselves, their children, and their community. To contact The Brashear Association, call 412-431-2236 or click HERE to send an email. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Violence Prevention Partner Activities-Zone 5:Melanin Mommies You can still sign up for these two healing opportunities in East Hills! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Violence Prevention Partner Activity-Zone 2+:Ozanam Basketball League | | | | | | | | Fr information on the Ozanam League, please contact President Darelle Porter at Dap2kk@gmail.com or click HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Something You Can Do:Prayer Event Saturday April 8 Pray For Peace and Against Violence Please join the Stop the Violence Prayer Team for a special time of prayer on Saturday April 8 from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Everyday Cafe, 532 North Homewood Avenue, Pittsburgh 15208. No reservations necessary, just show up! | | | | | | | | | | If you're interested in hosting a prayer event or would like to coordinate events in your neighborhood or police zone, just contact the STOP The Violence Office and you'll be connected with our prayer team coordinators. Anyone can pray for peace and against violence either alone or as part of the STOP the Violence Prayer Team. If prayer is important to you, please pray whenever and wherever possible against violence. | | | | If you, you're interested in this non-denominational prayer team, you can sign up HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | REACH workers Martell Hedge Sr and Kevin Jordan in downtown Pittsburgh | | | | City Solutions: To Prevent or Interrupt ViolenceContact REACH | | | | Support and Street Outreach for Pittsburgh's GVI violence prevention strategy is known as REACH. REACH workers are community leaders who interact with individuals of any age who have been impacted by violence or are at risk due to their circumstances or acquaintances. They are selected based on their individual experience, relationships and historical knowledge and are now embedded in communities across the City of Pittsburgh. REACH workers also have access to resources that might be needed by individuals or families to help prevent violence. | | | | | | | | | | 1-833-44REACHorreach@centerthatcares.org | | | | REACH is funded by the City of Pittsburgh through a contract with the Hill District's Center That Cares. REACH General Manager is The Reverend Glenn Grayson. Program Manager is Antoine Bailey and Supervisors are Vaughn Rivers (Zones 1 and 2), Terri Minor Spencer (Zones 3 and 6) and Ayo Young (Zones 4 and 5). If you become aware of a situation which could benefit from the presence of REACH workers OR if you know an individual who needs support, mentoring or resources to avoid trouble, please contact REACH at 1-833-44REACH. | | | | | | Poll #5: Are you familiar with the concept of violence interrupters? | | | Yes | | Select | | | | | | | | No | | Select | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Special Appeal:For Officer Jeffrey Crawford Officer Jeffrey Crawford is a dedicated Pittsburgh Community Engagement Officer based in Zone 5. He is in need of a kidney donor. Please share the information below. Thank you. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Solutions Archive:Cure Violence-Part 1 Another Nationally Known Evidence Based Violence Prevention StrategyCure Violence is a violence interruption strategy working to interrupt violence at the source and treats violence as a disease that spreads from person to person. Three core components of this strategy include interrupting the transmission of violence, reducing the risk of violence acts by those at the highest risk and changing community norms. The model relies on the efforts of community outreach workers who have deep and sustained relationships in the neighborhoods where they operate, enabling them to effectively engage with youth and community. | | | | The Cure Violence strategy has been adopted by Allegheny County's Health Department and Department of Human Services. Cure Violence was researched and launched by Dr. Gary Slutkin. More from Dr. Slutkin is below: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | City Solutions: Let Us Know UsingStopTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov Are you aware of a NON-EMERGENCY situation that has the potential to turn violent but doesn’t yet need police attention? This could include a dispute, feud, insult, social media post, party, sporting event, fight being planned or even a rumor. It could involve school students or adults of any age, men or women. If you are, please contact the City of Pittsburgh's STOP the Violence Office using email address: StopTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov. | | | | "I think our expert outreach team has the ability to intervene in almost any situation if we have some notice. I encourage school personnel, sports team coaches, pastors, neighbors, and concerned community members to look out for the people they care about and report anything or anyone that could turn violent" said Jay Gilmer, the Department of Public Safety's STOP the Violence Coordinator. | | | | | | | | | | "Our goal is to resolve situations before violence occurs and police are necessary". If you know someone who needs a bit of help to avoid getting involved in activities that could lead to violence and someone becoming a statistic, please let us know. Help might include advice, family assistance, recovery, support from peers, or even a place to go. | | | | According to Reverend Cornell Jones, Director of Outreach for the City of Pittsburgh, "this information sharing email address is to enable us to know how to best use our outreach resources to prevent or interrupt violence. If we know about a situation or event with enough notice, our presence might be able to prevent something without anyone getting hurt or arrested. We want to see situations resolved before they escalate and result in someone getting hurt or going to jail." | | | | | Jay GilmerStop the Violence Coordinator | | | | When you send the email, please leave a few details and the neighborhood you are writing from. You will receive an initial response within 2 business days. The City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Office has access to many resources and partner organizations who would be pleased to help you or your friend. The STOP the Violence Office is part of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety but is not the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. | | | | THIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY HOTLINE AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CALLIING 911 OR 311 IF VIOLENCE IS READY TO BREAK OUT, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Training: Community Violence Intervention | | | | Across the country, cities are utilizing violence prevention strategies that are similar to Pittsburgh's and use a combination of Group Violence Intervention, Cure Violence, community partnerships and other elements. Now known as Community Violence Intervention (or CVI), these approaches attempt o coordinate efforts for maximum results. Key to all efforts is continuous community education about the available resources and interventions and the results. You can see Baltimore's strategy here: | | | | | | | | | | | | Mayor Gainey's Pittsburgh Plan for Peace is a CVI strategy. You can find it here: | | | | | | | | | | | | | Poll #6: Did you take a look a the Baltimore Community Violence Intervention Plan? | | | Yes | | Select | | | | | | | | No | | Select | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Group Violence Intervention + Pittsburgh's Group Violence Intervention initiative (GVI) is a proven strategy to reduce shootings and homicides in urban neighborhoods by using a multi-aspect strategy: - informed street outreach and social services to prevent violence, - involved community members reinforcing community norms rejecting violence; and - law enforcement in partnership with the community when other means are not effective. For additional information on GVI, including its history and rationale, see this hour-long webinar from Mayors Against Illegal Guns entitled Re-imagining Public Safety: Group Violence Intervention and Intimate Partner Intervention: Webinar. The password is: MAIGUn1versity! Pittsburgh’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) violence prevention strategy, including the complete logic model, was featured in the October 2021 STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE. Support and outreach for GVI are coordinated by Rev. Cornell Jones, Director of Outreach who can be contacted at cornell.jones@pittsburghpa.gov. Street Outreach for the City of Pittsburgh is contracted to The Center that Cares' Reach team. Their General Manager is The Reverend Glenn Grayson, Program Manager is Antoine Bailey and Supervisors are Vaughn Rivers (Zones 1 and 2), Terri Minor Spencer (Zones 3 and 6) and Ayo Young (Zones 4 and 5). They can be reached at 1-833-44REACH. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | GVI Support & Outreach: Pittsburgh’s Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention-Part 1 was featured in the August 2021 STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE. Part 2, including GVI and its complete logic model, was featured in the October 2021 Newsletter and can be accessed HERE. How does support and outreach work? Recent research on GVI’s support and outreach component was released this month by the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC). The report explains that in GVI, traditional “social services'' are replaced with a structure “tailored to members of the special core street population, their situation, and their needs.” This is done because “many GVI clients are not ready for traditional social services like remedial education and employment training … these clients instead receive ‘support and outreach.’ Support is defined as ‘providing centralized and accessible services for people at high risk of violence.’” Outreach is defined as ‘’making deliberate, persistent, and consistent connections to people involved in violence to foster new relationships and build community.” Support and Outreach Best PracticesNNSC’s research from around the country has shown that effective outreach and support includes these best practices: - The Goal: Staying alive and out of prison. - Actually reach out. - Protect from risk. - Address trauma. - Provide critical resources. - Support the whole family. - Connect to traditional services. For the entire report on Support and Outreach, click HERE. How you can helpCommunity efforts to compliment the GVI strategy are encouraged. Rev. Jones states: “Other community members, businesses and ministries can help too, even if they don’t have the skills to be an outreach worker, they can help us by sharing resources that can be directed towards the vulnerable population. We need everything that community members need in order to be successful from food to employment to fatherhood and motherhood support.” To get involved, please send an email to the STOP the Violence Office by clicking HERE. | | | | | | | | Webinar Series: Gun Violence and Public Health | | | | Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore and Seattle Council President Lorena Gonzalez headed the list of speakers in a ten hour webinar on August 18 and 19, 2021 organized by the Center on Media, Crime and Justice at John Jay College to help journalists and the public gain greater understanding on efforts to address the rising levels of gun violence in at-risk communities. | | | | | | | The series focused on prevention and intervention strategies. Leaders of community intervention strategies and programs in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Sacramento discussed what is and isn’t working in their cities. Pittsburgh’s efforts compare quite favorably with these efforts. The webinar consists of seven sessions, each lasting from 30 to 90 minutes. A table of contents is available so you can watch a particular session. Please take a look HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Conflict Resolution Training If you would like more information on violence prevention and some suggestions on ways to be involved with anti-violence activities, please click on and watch the two-hour training video to the right. This training was conducted in January 2021. Our outreach teams include violence interrupters, but there are lots of other roles to play. After viewing the training video, please let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to be involved! | | | | | | | | | | | | Webinar: How to Heal After a Homicide For an insightful discussion on healing from trauma and access to resources necessary to heal after a loss, experts Dr. Toya Jones (Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work) and Valerie Dixon (Director of Family and Community Support for the Center for Victims) see the recorded video: How to Heal After a Homicide. This 37 minute video was recorded in January 2022. Just click below to see the video: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Facts & Stats:
From February 2023 Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period February 1 to February 28, 2023. These only cover the City, not any areas of Allegheny County which are outside of the City. A few notes can be found after the charts. |
| | | IMPORTANT NOTE: The Non-fatal shooting incidents reported below includes only incidents, it is not a count of victims. ___________________________________ A few statistics of note: - The total number of homicides has increased from 8 in 2022 to 11 in 2023. - The total number of non-fatal shooting incidents has decreased from 18 in 2022 to 14 in 2023. - The total number of homicides in February increased from 4 in 2022 to 5 in 2023. - The total number of homicides in February decreased from 5 in January. - The total number of non-fatal shooting incidents in February was the same as in 2022. - There were no homicides in police zones 2, 4, 5, or 6 in February and no non-fatal shooting incidents in zones 2. - In February, there were 2 homicides in Zone 1 and 3 in Zone 3. - Also in February, there were no non-fatal shooting incidents in Zone 2. Using a public health approach to violence prevention means attempting to understand the proximate and secondary causes of violence and tailoring solutions to fit the impacted population. There is no one answer. The combined work of all community institutions will be necessary to permanently change the culture of violence. If you are interested in working to change these statistics and increase the peace in the City of Pittsburgh, please click HERE to contact the STOP the Violence Office. What will you do to help? | | | | | | | | | | | | City of Pittsburgh Police Zones: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | IMPORTANT NOTE: The Non-fatal shooting incidents reported above includes only incidents, it is not a count of victims. Any incident with more than one victim counts as just one incident. | | | | | | Poll #7: Do you know which police zone you live in? | | | Yes | | Select | | | | | | | | No | | Select | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Coming Events If you want to receive periodic event announcements or are aware of an anti-violence event that is open to the public, please click HERE to send us a notice or announcement. Thank you. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Allegheny County Anchored Reentry Coalition (ACAR) is a resource for both returning citizens and anyone who's attempting to assist returning citizens with any kind of support -- employment, housing, legal, transportation, family services, and almost anything else. Their FREE Summit on April 28 at CCAC-Northside will be a time for sharing resources and hope! Use the QR code to register. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Solutions:Hotlines They're ready to serve YOU! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Don't hesitate to call. For more information on the Lifeline, including statistics on effectiveness and how YOU can become a trained responder, please click HERE. | | | | | | | | | | Tips for You: Tip #1:Don't lie for the Other Guy It's no secret that guns in the wrong hands can cause big problems. As a result, laws are in place to keep many people from owning a firearm. Convicted felons, minors, persons determined by a court of law to be "mentally defective" and certain others are prohibited by law from buying a firearm. If a friend or relative asks you to lie to the federal government or to a federally licensed firearms retailer to try to buy a gun for him/her, don't do it! It's not worth 15 years in jail. Don't buy a gun for someone who can't! Tip #2:Parents: Start Making Summer Plans for Your Kids Summer will be here in a few months, so parents should NOW be seeking out and making plans for their children. Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have hundreds, perhaps thousands of good summer programs for kids of all ages. With just a bit of work, any child with an interest in sports, academics, arts, technology, nature, animals, science, faith, or anything else can have a great, productive and safe summer. Here are a few places to look: - For summer camps - For summer jobs - For summer school If you still can't find the right programs, please click HERE to send am email to the Pittsburgh Office of Community Services and Violence Prevention. | | | | | | | | Your Public Safety CouncilNeeds YOU! Your zone's Public Safety Council is a place to go to stay aware of important developments relating to public safety in your police zone. It's also a great place to get to know your local police on a personal basis. Public Safety Councils are run by residents and are open to all. The usual meeting schedule is: Zone 1: First Thursday at 5:30 pm Zone 2: Third Wednesday at 5:30 pm Zone 3: Fourth Thursday at 6:00 pm Zone 4: Third Thursday at 6:30 pm Zone 5: Second Tuesday at 7:00 pm Zone 6: Fourth Thursday at 6:30 pm For connecting or other information about your Public Safety Council, click on the zone to send an email to the appropriate SaferTogether Coordinator: Zones 1 & 5: Emily Embrey Zones 2 & 3: Ian ReynoldsZones 3 & 6: John Tokarski | | | | | | | | Call Us If You Become Aware of a Dispute If you hear of a school, social media or community dispute that needs to be defused before it leads to violence, please let us know. We would like to take positive steps to resolve such disputes before law enforcement must be called. Please report any such disputes or issues to: STOP the Violence Office or text to 412-522-7286. | | | | | | | | Domestic Violence Help: Violence is not an acceptable method to resolve issues between friends or partners. If there are threats, please seek help! When in danger, call 911 immediately. Some other resources are in the Domestic Violence Resource Guide is reproduced below and can be accessed HERE. | | | | | February Poll Responses Poll #1: Does Caring Connections for YOUth look like a useful resource? - Yes 85% - No 15% Poll #2:Did you know about this $50 million County commitment before reading about it here? - Yes 37% - No 63% Poll #3:Will these investments in violence prevention activities make a real difference? - Yes 75% - No 25% Poll #4:Have you ever seen the REACH team or MAD DADS in downtown Pittsburgh? - Yes 38% - No 62% Poll #5: Do you want to know more about the City's violence prevention partner activities? - Yes 69% - No 31% Poll #6:Is anything in this 2022 victim analysis surprising to you? - Yes 38% - No 63% Poll #7:Should Community Resources be in a separate publication and not in this Newsletter? - Yes 44% - No 56% Thank you for responding. What can you do to help? | | | | | | | | Previous Newsletters Click on the dates below to find past issues of the City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Newsletter: FEBRUARY 2023JANUARY 2023 DECEMBER 2022NOVEMBER 2022OCTOBER 2022SEPTEMBER 2022AUGUST 2022JULY 2022JUNE 2022MAY 2022APRIL 2022MARCH 2022FEBRUARY 2022JANUARY 2022 DECEMBER 2021NOVEMBER 2021OCTOBER 2021SEPTEMBER 2021AUGUST 2021JULY 2021JUNE 2021MAY 2021APRIL 2021MARCH 2021FEBRUARY 2021JANUARY 2021 DECEMBER 2020 NOVEMBER 2020 OCTOBER 2020 | | | | | | | | Do You Have Any Ideas? The Stop the Violence Newsletter is produced monthly by Jay Gilmer, Coordinator of the STOP the Violence Office of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety. Please send any ideas, notices or suggestions to: STOP the Violence Office. | | | | | | | | | | Solutions:Community Resources:Who Needs Help? There Are PLENTY of Outstanding Services Available for YOU in the City of Pittsburgh | | | | A key part of the City’s violence prevention strategy is increasing the awareness of residents of those services that can help people form positive identities. All research indicates that the most important predictor of successful personal choices is a positive purpose. When someone is on their way to something that is attainable and surrounded by people pursuing positive goals, then they are less likely to become involved with negative behaviors. | | | | | | | The STOP the Violence Newsletter is committed to making residents aware of services that can assist community members of all ages in forming those positive identities. | | | | These listings do not contain ALL available services -- there are dozens of services in each police zone. Additional services will be added frequently. These listings are not advertisements or endorsements. They are to make you aware of opportunities for you and the people you know and care about. | | | | If you are aware of a service that should be mentioned in a future STOP the Violence Newsletter, please send the necessary information HERE.If your organization wants to be listed or update its information, please send the necessary information HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zones 3 & 6:Youth & Family Mentoring & Support 1 Nation Mentoring412-389-7555 1 Nation provides in-school based mentoring at Brashear High School, out-of-school time structured activities, including academic support, personal accountability and empowerment workshops, and summer camp for youth ranging from 5th grade through High school. Kevin McNair is Executive Director. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Citywide:Youth Mentoring 2 Tenths Foundation(2 Tenths Speed and Agility)412-728-7251 Founded by DeWayne Brown, and now assisted by Executive Director Rick "Biggs" Bigelow, 2 Tenths focuses on athletic training, mentoring, restorative justice, mental wellness and youth advocacy. Athletic training takes place at the Steelers practice facility on the Southside. Other activities are at Warrington Recreation Center and other locations in the South Hills. "I have been volunteering with them for the past few years and the amount of kids (a few hundred monthly) that we try to keep off of the street is impactful. These kids will tell you that if they weren’t training with us, that they may have entertained some unhealthy behaviors." said Nicole White of Manchester. Athletic training is available for athletes of all ages, from midget league to adults, men and women. For further information, see their website HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 3:Youth Mentoring & Support-STEM Education 25 Carrick Avenue Project412-885-4327 25 Carrick Avenue Project provides youth development and skills training from its location in Carrick. Program areas include entertainment and event technology, education, workforce development. Key staff members include Pete Spynda, Executive Director, Jordan Gilliam, Director of Education, and Trevaun Hairston, Outreach Coordinator. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 3:Youth Lifeskills Development A's VisionPhone #: 412-326-8014 | | | | A’s Vision teaches lifeskills to teens including how to become responsible drivers and banking and money management. For further information or to sign up for the next money management courses or for driving instruction, contact Aaron Wade ’s Vision at avision5300@yahoo.com or click HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Citywide:Youth Mentoring Aaron Donald 99 Solutions Foundation Founded by NFL star Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams, the AD 99 Solutions Foundation provides mentoring, academic support, and lifeskills training for selected high school athletes; a summer sports skills camp; and periodic clinics to youth sports coaches. For further information, see their website HERE, or contact Akita Donald, Executive Director or Rita Gillcrease, Program Coordinator. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Center for Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents 1-412-330-4328 Offering world-renowned expertise in evaluating and treating children who have experienced traumatic life events or live with post-traumatic stress disorder. A program of Allegheny Health Network. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5:Youth Mentoring & Support - Academics Bible Center Church-The Maker's Clubhouse 1-412-242-4920 Offers afterschool STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Math) and socio-economic learning programming in Faison and Lincoln Schools. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 3:Youth Development & Family Support The Brashear Association412-431-2236 The Brashear Association serves community members in South Pittsburgh neighborhoods and works with them to solve challenges they may be facing. The Executive Director is Beltzhoover native Andrea Matthews. Programs include: - Food, utility and rental assistance - Employment services - After-school youth programming for anyone in grades K-12 For further information, see their website HERE or send an email HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5: Youth Mentoring & Support - Athletics & Academics Brothers & Sisters Emerging 5315 Hillcrest Street - Garfield 1-412-404-2250 Serving boys and girls ages 7 through 17. Offering mentoring, tutoring, cultural and educational activities, recreation and parent information. Operating after-school and summer camp programs. Also home of the Garfield Gators. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Center for Victims Hotline: 1-866-644-2882 Caring, professional staff is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to respond to emergency needs of crime victims and witnesses, answer questions, and provide support. You can also call: Valerie Dixon at the Center for Victims at 1-412-403-0194 or vdixon@venterforvictims.org. Darnell Drewery at the Center for Victims at 1-412-758-9237 or ddrewery@centerforvictims.org. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 4:Youth & Family Mentoring & Support Center Of Life412-521-3468Center of Life, based in Hazelwood, provides families and youth with the lifeskills, education, training and resources necessary to be strong and to make their communities strong. They have a variety of programs including after-school activities for youth in grades K-12, plus family services and resources. Key staff include Reverend Tim Smith, Kiyomi Knox, DaVonne Fuller, Sarah Crawshaw, and Meg Mszyco. For more information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 2:Youth Mentoring & Support Center That Cares1-412-26-CARES CARES offers programs for pre-k through grade 12 – and beyond. They are committed to uplifting and transforming the lives of people of all ages through education, recreation, cultural enrichment, and thoughtful guidance. For youth in pre-k through 5th grade, Cares offers nurturing, academic tutoring, recreational activities, and enrichment seminars. For grades 6 to 12, Cares offers academic tutoring, career counseling, college and vocational school admissions assistance, and enrichment seminars. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5: Youth Mentoring, Family Support & Workforce Development CEA-Community Empowerment Association 7120 Kelly Street - Homewood 1-412-371-3689 Offering a variety of youth development programs for youth, including Asante Nation Safe Passage After-School, Kamp Kuumba, Saturday University Out-of-School Programming and African-American Leadership Institute. Also offers workforce development for all ages. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | City-wide:Reentry Divine Intervention Ministries412-621-0622 Founded by Debra Germany after the murder of her son, Divine Intervention Ministries provides employment services and wraparound supportive services necessary for successful re-entry. the IMPACT Program, an 8-week faith-based program that provides a forum for intensive self-reflection and redirection, practical resources, after care/reentry services and mentoring support to the individuals incarcerated at Renewal, Inc. For further information, see their website HERE or send an email to Debra Germany, Executive Director HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5:Youth Mentoring & Support East End Cooperative Ministry -EECM412-345-7172 EECM offers a variety of in-school and after-school programs for youth of all ages. Programs include elementary educational support, media and musical outreach, girls enrichment and empowerment, sport (including hockey, volleyball, basketball cycling and more. They are work inside Obama and Westinghouse high Schools as well as many Zone 5 middle and elementary schools. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5: East Liberty Family Health Care Center412-661-2802 A Federally Qualified Health Care Center providing a full range of medical, dental, pediatric, prenatal, and behavioral health services including staff therapists and a chaplain. Locations in East Liberty, Lincoln-Lemington and Wilkinsburg. Even if you don’t have insurance, please come. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Western Pennsylvania:Parenting Resources Fathers Collaborative Council of Western PA The role of active parents to community and individual safety cannot be overemphasized. Many resources exist to help for both fathers and mothers. One such resource is the Fathers Collaborative Council of Western PA. The FCCWPA is made up of over over 20 organizations with resources for fathers and families. Their first monthly newsletter can be found HERE. | | | | | | | | | | For information on the Fathers Collaborative Council of Western PA, including membership and resources, click HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Foundation of HOPE 540 Suismon StreetPittsburgh, PA 15212 Offering a variety of programs to prevent incarceration, chaplaincy and pre-release to serve individuals in Allegheny County Jail and aftercare to prevent recidivism. For information on their support community for reentering citizens, their families and community members, send an email HERE. Please call if you need help or want to help: Adult or Youth Diversion: 412-321-3343Allegheny County Jail Chaplaincy: 412-350-2057Allegheny County Jail Pre-Release: 412-350-1322Jail or Prison Aftercare: 412-321-3343 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | GriefShare Numerous Locationsin Allegheny County GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements: a video lesson, in-person group discussion, and personal reflection. This weekly group is free (just purchase the workbook online), open to anyone, and is offered in numerous locations in western Pennsylvania. The 13 week series features a video and optional discussion. To be part of the next series, just find a location and sign up on the website at www.griefshare.org. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Downtown: Highmark Caring Place 620 Stanwix Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 888-224-4673 As a peer support program, the Caring Place provides an environment where children, teens and adults can receive support from others their own ages who are going through very similar experiences, such as the loss of a parent or other loved one. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5:Youth Mentoring & Support - Academics Homewood Children's Village1-412-727-7605 Offering holistic support to students at Lincoln PreK-5, Faison K-5 and Westinghouse High School. They use an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 1: Youth Development & Violence Prevention Infinite Lifestyle Solutions412-345-1366 Infinite Lifestyle Solutions provides a variety of services to Northside school students and their parents. Programs include: - Restorative Safe Passages, to reduce violence and provide safety before and after school - Saving Our Sons & Daughters, to help youth who have suffered from trauma through violence - Teen Dating Violence Prevention, to help young participants to navigate healthy relationships To get involved or for further information, please contact Cecilia Ware, Founder and Executive Director by clicking HERE or see their website HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Jeremiah’s Place 6435 Frankstown Avenue 15206 (Larimer) 412-924-0726 Pittsburgh’s only crisis nursery. It provides emergency child care services for children ages 0-6 for a few hours or days based on the needs of each individual family. All services provided are free, available for 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | City-wide:Street Outreach and Violence Intervention MAD DADSGreaterPittsburghMadDads@gmail.com MAD DADS are concerned men from the community who want to be a positive presence on the streets. Over the years, they have learned that presence matters. They can regularly be seen in communities including downtown, Homewood, Hill District, Turtle Creek, Wilkinsburg and East Hills. | | | | | | | | | | All interested drug-free men who care are invited to join. With more men, MAD DADS can be present in more communities. There's even a Moms Division for interested women. To get started, please see the Greater Pittsburgh Area MAD DADS Facebook page or contact MAD DADS at GreaterPittsbrughMADDADS@gmail.com. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Melanin Mommies Latrice “Phoenix” Rose started Melanin Mommies out of a concern for family members of victims who are affected by grief and trauma. After doing a survey of families who lost someone, she realized that mental health services weren’t always offered to them. Even for those few families that received some counseling resources, they needed more for their families and children because the grief didn’t stop. Do you need help coping with your loss? Is your child struggling to cope with the loss of a parent or sibling? Please sign up for the next Melanin Mommies Mental Healing Cohort. It will meet for 12 weeks every Saturday at 10:30 am. For more information, see the Melanin Mommies Facebook page or contact Latrice Rose at at Info@melaninmommiespgh.org. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5:Men’s Huddle Group Paul B. Jones, Sr. experienced the death of his 19 year old son Jeremiah in 2017. He formed The Men’s Huddle Group as a support group for fathers who have lost children to gun violence and otherwise. The Men’s Huddle Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty (250 Highland Avenue, 15206 – across from Home Depot). For additional information, contact Paul Jones via email at jonzboyz@aol.com or call anytime (24/7) at 412-613-1912. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The MOMS GroupSupport For Mothers Tina Ford of Clairton formed Mothers of Murdered Sons (The MOMS Group) after the loss of her son in 2019. The MOMS Group meets in Clairton on the third Saturday of each month. All are welcome, just call Tina in advance for the location. If transportation is a problem, just call Tina – MOMS sometimes arranges transportation or makes home visits to provide support. For more information, see the MOMS Group Facebook page HERE or contact Tina Ford at 412-219-7157 or Momsgroup2020@gmail.com.. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Citywide:Youth Mentoring Mount Ararat Community Activity Center (MACAC) Mentoring Program412-441-5405 MACAC Mentoring provides one to one and group mentoring for youth age 11-18 years old (grades 6-12) and enrichment activities including career readiness; life skills and spiritual development activities, field trips, academic enrichment and fun. All activities are based at the Mt. Ararat Community Activity Center, 745 North Negley Avenue Pgh, PA 15206. | | | | | | | | | | Mentoring for 6th-8th grade is offered Thursday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (dinner served). Mentoring for grades 9-12 is offered Monday-Friday 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm (a monthly stipend for attendance may be available). They are also recruiting adult mentors to join their team. Please contact Program Director Jeffrey Nash if you're interested. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Citywide:Neighborhood Resilience Project412-261-1234 The Trauma Response Team cares for the acute needs of family and friends of homicide victims of gun violence across all of Allegheny County. Dan Emerick, MDiv, MSW – Trauma Response Team Manager | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 4: Youth Development & Mentoring, Workforce Development P.O.O.R.L.A.W.1-412-670-8421 Based in Hazelwood, POORLAW offers mentoring for youth from ages 5 and up, intergenerational sharing and workforce development. For further information, please see their website by clicking HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 1:Youth & Family Mentoring & Support Project Destiny412-231-1258Project Destiny operates from 5 locations on the Northside and provides a variety of services to youth and families. Services include after-school programs from 3 to 6 pm daily, counseling, pre-school programs, and mentoring. The Reverend Dr. Brenda Gregg is Executive Director. Key staff include Jamella Hamlin, Daphne Curges, Gary Nolan and Darryl Goodwine. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 3:Youth Development and Mentoring Shadow Student Athlete Development Services412-708-4008 Shadow Student Athletes provides culturally responsive mentoring for student athletes using character coaches at public schools. These character coaches act as conflict specialists to support students, families and school staff by assisting in a variety of ways. The Executive Director is Von Madden. For further information, see their website HERE or send an email HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 3:Street Outreach, Youth Development and Mentoring South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace | | | | | | | South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace is home of the South Pittsburgh Peacemakers, a street outreach team which is available to prevent violence and intervene in situations which could lead to violence. They also offer educational workshops on violence prevention and community responses to violence. Two of their initiatives are described below. "Our primary focus in the community is to interrupt violence from occurring in Pittsburgh neighborhoods; however, if violence cannot be prevented, our mission is to provide a voice in the community, especially for children," said Rev. Eileen Smith, Executive Director. For further information, please contact Reverend Eileen Smith, Executive Director at 412-481-2777 or see their Facebook page. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | City-wide:Adult Workforce Development Trade Institute of Pittsburgh412-243-2970 Trade Institute of Pittsburgh provides skill training and wrap-around services for individuals interested in construction trades. Their primary location is in Homewood, but they accept students from across the region. Key staff include Donta Green, Executive Director, Kirk Gilbert, Case Manager and Chett Williams, Life Coach. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 1:Youth Mentoring & Support Urban Impact Foundation1-412-321-3811 Urban Impact provides a safe place for in and out-of-school programming opportunities for children from preschool through high school in various locations on the NorthSide. They offer 60+ unique programs, including: - Education/Academics - Athletics - Performing Arts - Options Workforce Readiness Learn more by visiting their website: ULIPgh.org. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5: Life Skills & Family Support-Housing WAVE-Willisae's Agency for Vision & Empowerment134 South Highland Avenue #6 - East Liberty1-412-573-9217 Offers trauma and life skills individual, group and family workshops and a variety of educational opportunities for entrepreneurship and job readiness. Also offers specialized counseling to prepare individuals and families to be emotionally, physically and financially fit to purchase a home. Also offers renters eviction coaching, credit and budget counseling. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5: Youth Mentoring & Support - Athletics Westinghouse Youth Wrestling1-412-709-0775 "Wrestling is one of the greatest sports for helping young kids build their character, develop self-confidence, improve discipline, and strengthen their will to succeed." For community youth from any school who are between ages 5 and 17. Participants also participate in outdoor experiences, goal setting and mentorship. For additional information, contact Justin Perkins, Director at the above telephone number or click HERE to send an email. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5:Youth Mentoring & Support YES - Youth Enrichment Services1-412-661-7834 YES provides socially and economically at risk youth the opportunity to achieve success through participation in mentorship, education, and enrichment programs. Mentorship is available to students who are ages 14-21, attending Pittsburgh Public Schools or schools in surrounding districts. Education programs include academics, employment preparation, leadership development and empowerment. To get involved as a mentor, volunteer or to enroll a student, just click HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | City-wide:Youth Development Youthplaces412-434-0851 Youthplaces offers out-of-school time activities for teens in safe places to learn, grow, play and succeed. It currently has locations on the Northside, Downtown, East Liberty, McKeesport and McKees Rocks. For further information, see their website HERE. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zone 5:Reentry Support Za'kiyah House412-353-9365412-595-6666 Za'Kiyah House provides housing, life skills and reentry support for men and women from several locations, including one in Homewood. Ronna Davis-Moore is the Executive Director. Key staff include Joseph Moore and Regina Pearson. For further information, click HERE for their website. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Teen Dating Violence Since one in three teens is a victim of teen dating violence, you probably know someone who has been a victim. Click HERE for resources on teen dating violence. Click on the picture for a Teen Dating Violence Action Action Guide. | | | | | | | | | | | | Other: - Alma Illery Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services Office: 412-244-4700 - City of Pittsburgh Dept. of Public Safety’s Victims of Crime Office: 412-707-2988 - Dr. Staci Ford, Trauma Recovery and Violence Intervention Specialist: 412-277-4616 - Jessica Gurley, LCSW: (412) 204-6934 - RESOLVE Crisis Center - 24 hours: 1-888-796-8226 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Poll #8: Had you seen the "You and the Police" brochure before today? | | | Yes | | Select | | | | | | | | No | | Select | | | | | | | | | | | Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh STOP The Violence Newsletter | | | | | | | | | | | | City of Pittsburgh | 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 STOP the Violence Office | | | Unsubscribe jaygilmer@verizon.net | | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice | | Sent by stoptheviolence@pittsburghpa.gov powered by | | | Try email marketing for free today! | | |