Building a safer Philadelphia, together.
Connecting, Convening, Collaborating and Communicating for Change
Welcome to the Civic Coalition to Save Lives
The Civic Coalition to Save Lives unites community leaders, organizations, and resources to drive down gun violence in Philadelphia. Through focused intervention, we connect efforts, foster collaboration, and help support effective strategies to ensure that support reaches those most in need.
Since its formation in 2021, the Coalition has focused on learning from successful models in other cities and amplifying the critical work already being done by local organizations and city programs focused on intervention. We are inspired by what’s possible through partnership and believe Philadelphia can reduce gun deaths to historic lows. Together, we can create a Philadelphia where safety and hope are realities for all.
A Public-Private Partnership Empowering Local Intervention Efforts
The Coalition works to support intervention efforts to save lives and help make our communities safer for everyone by:
Connecting
Linking individuals, organizations, and resources to create a powerful network among law enforcement, city agencies, nonprofits, community leaders, and trauma centers. The Coalition bridges communication gaps and fosters collaboration, enabling knowledge sharing and critical resource access for holistic, impactful solutions.
Convening
Uniting diverse stakeholders - community leaders, officials, behavioral healthcare professionals, and local organizations - for collaborative gun violence intervention. Through shared goals and open dialogue, the Coalition aligns resources, strengthens partnerships, and empowers communities for lasting change.
Collaborating
Engaging with public agencies, community organizations, local leaders, and elected officials to develop solutions informed by a wide range of experiences and expertise. This collaborative approach ensures that initiatives are grounded in evidence and tailored to the unique needs of each community.
Communicating
Raising awareness, sharing critical information and fostering dialogue on the importance of sustained gun violence intervention. Through briefings, outreach, and updates, the coalition informs the community on key issues, progress, and resources.
From Our Partners
“The Civic Coalition grant has been transformative for Pushing Progress Philly, allowing us to address participants’ basic needs, support entrepreneurial goals, and provide behavioral health resources. These efforts have strengthened our mission to reduce gun violence and foster community engagement.”
Kareem Brown, Ed.D.
“The expansion made possible through the Coalition funding has made a remarkable impact, significantly reducing our waiting list and enabling us to pair 170 men with clinicians, providing over 830 free therapy sessions so far in 2024. This collective effort has strengthened our program and deepened our impact on the community.”
Zakia S. Williams, M.B.A., M.A.
“It takes considerable time to help individuals without income or stable housing reach a place where they can begin to move forward with hope. Hiring professionals with lived experience requires unique skills and sensitivities, and this funding has allowed us to meet those challenges.”
Marion Campbell
“Father’s Day Rally Committee has learned over the years that group sessions are one of the best ways to reduce violence by offering Black men the opportunity to change their thinking and look at themselves as different from how society defines them. Arguments are the leading cause of shootings in our city and changing behavior of individuals most likely to shoot will reduce shootings. Project Lifeline group sessions help make that difference in men’s lives.”
Bilal Qayyum
“The Coalition funds have allowed us to develop new options for housing and relocation, a major need for our participants. Having flexible funding is invaluable for addressing both patient and team needs.”
Elinor Juliana Kaufman, MD, MSHP
“Philadelphia CeaseFire in their 14 years of operation has learned the importance of intervention, however, they would agree that additional support services are needed to assist their high risk clients. This is why the program is extremely grateful for a recent gift from the Civic Coalition to Save Lives which will enable them to further expand their support services to their Northwest clients enrolled in their Stronger Together initiative...”
Marla Davis Bellamy, JD, MGA
“Many of these guys don’t have access to computers or the internet and it’s much easier to apply for a job on a computer than a smartphone.”
Pastor Carl Day
“We are able to clear cases more quickly and build strong prosecutorial evidence when we work together. The Police Department can’t do it alone, our law enforcement departments everywhere can’t do it alone, we have to do it together.”