Grassroots organizations share in the success of reduced gun violence in Philadelphia
As gun violence statistics in Philadelphia dip to pre-pandemic lows, city leaders are pleased with the decrease, but they know they didn't do it alone.
Grassroots community organizations have had a big hand in the change.
One of those organizations operates as a working farm in the middle of Germantown. Philly Goat Project operates on the grounds of Awbury Arboretum. The 13 goats who live there are actually part of the solution to gun violence.
"You don't know what's going to connect with a kid," said Leslie Jackson, director of operations for Philly Goat Project.
"If you care for an animal, if you care for something other than yourself, you're willing to grow and learn about things that re outside of your experience," she said.
The program uses goats to connect kids to nature and their feelings.
"We're able to talk to people. It's a safe space and you don't have to be scared to talk about stuff," said 8th grader Sydney Shipman.
Philly Goat Project is one of the programs that has received an anti-gun violence grant from the city of Philadelphia.
"(We are) tremendously grateful for the 140 organizations that the city funds, to the tune of what will be $30 million," said City of Philadelphia Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer.
As Philadelphia homicides decrease, Geer attributes some of that success to community organizations.
"We have to acknowledge they're in the community, they're doing this work," he said.
The city's multi-tier approach to stopping violence includes giving grants of anywhere from $2,000 to $1 million to groups that put boots on the ground.
Those groups include Philly Truce , which was started in 2020 by Steven Pickens and Mazzie Casher.
"It is unique for a non-profit to be as young as they are and to make the impact that they make," said Philly Truce Foundation Board Chair Kelly Greene.
"You see a problem and you want to get in and fix it, period," said Pickens.
He and Casher used their own savings to start the non-profit, which began by helping to settle disputes before they turned violent. Now, they do everything from neighborhood peace patrols, to programs for kidsand job and mentorship opportunities for people returning home from incarceration.
That work is now happening in Philly Truce's brand-new office. The organization received a $250,000 grant from the city which allows them to do things like employ formerly incarcerated program participants with 40-hour workweeks, decreasing the chances of recidivism
"I think it's evidence that people who live with the problems have the solutions and we need to do more of that and trust that," said Casher.
The diversified organizations have different approaches to a common goal: stopping gun violence.
"I think that all of the different approaches work," said Jackson.
"Anytime we're being intentional and thoughtful about our approach and we're more aligned we're going to have more success," said Geer.
In less than five years, the city of Philadelphia has given out $60 million in grants to local non-profits. By the end of the year, the program will start accepting applications for the next round of smaller grants.
Applications for the larger grants will open up this time next year.
For more information, visit: https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-public-safety/grants/
