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

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

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

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

What the org has to say: “Our vision is to be a leader that advocates for victims and witnesses of crime in North & Central Philadelphia. We hope to build bridges to create safer communities and to be seen as the community-based organization that connects resources to the neighborhoods as well as clients we serve.”

What we found: CDVS serves a large part of the city’s Asian American and LGBTQ communities, as well as individuals who were the victim of a crime while visiting Philadelphia. It organizes an annual conference called Women on the Rise, which aims to empower and educate women about signals of victimization. All its services are free, and the organization will pay for counseling.

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: “HHP is a program for people ages 8 to 35 who have been shot, stabbed, or assaulted, and for those who have witnessed these events. The goal of the program is to help survivors heal from their physical and emotional wounds in order to support their well-being, personal healing, and ultimately, break the cycle of violence.”

What we found: Healing Hurt People’s specialists go into the hospital to figure out a victim’s needs, which often include financial support, being accompanied to court, or help filling out paperwork. The organization’s social media campaign Our Words Heal aims to create organic conversations about recovery.

What the org has to say: “Peer Response is a violence prevention program that welcomes gun violence survivors to apply to be a peer mentor. Mentors will work with peers who have been affected by gun violence by using their life experiences as a tool to support healing.”

What we found: Peer Response helps people who have lived through violence reflect on those experiences and turn them into advice and lessons for others who may encounter similar challenges. The group offers a variety of ways to get involved, from training to state certification to job placement. All Peer Response mentors are cross-trained as community health workers and certified peer specialists. Most participants in this nine-week selective program are Black men, but the program is looking to recruit more women.

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

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

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

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

What the org has to say: “Northeast Victim Service (NEVS) is a non-profit community organization and the principal crime victim advocate for Northeast Philadelphia. NEVS works to empower victims of crime through advocacy and support, and to assist the community in its efforts to reduce the effects of crime through outreach and education.”

What we found: Northeast Victim Services, located near Torresdale, helps crime victims navigate the criminal justice system, including applying for the Victims Compensation Assistance Program. NEVS works with all local hospitals, offers services in English and Spanish, and gets the majority of its clients through referrals from police.

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

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

What the org has to say: “Our hospital’s Trauma Victim Support Advocates are here to assist crime victims in meeting their physical, emotional, and personal needs both during and after their care at Temple Health. These advocates perform a variety of functions, including: offering comfort to patients in the trauma bay, updating families about their loved ones’ conditions, providing grief support to families of homicide victims, linking survivors to crime victim services, and offering emotional support to patients after they’ve been discharged from the hospital, to name a few.”

What we found: TVSA’s advocates find their clients within Temple Hospital, where they help crime victims access grief support, victims services, and emotional support after discharge.

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: “Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia (VWSSP) offers direct assistance anherd support to crime victims, witnesses and their families in the three Police Districts of South Philadelphia (1st, 3rd, and 17th Districts). The Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program helps victims and their families ease the financial burdens they may face as a result of crime. We can assist you in filing a claim free of charge.”

What we found: South Philly is one of the most diverse parts of the city, and VWSSP offers services for the wide variety of backgrounds represented, such as longtime residents and members of newer refugee communities. VWSSP’s crime victim support services include direct assistance and guidance filing claims.