Commitment in Action: Coalition Gathers to Expand Intervention, Impact, and Investment
Civic Coalition to Save Lives Hosts Annual Convening for Members and Funders
On April 30, the Civic Coalition to Save Lives held its second annual convening, bringing together civic, business, philanthropic, and government leaders to reflect on the city’s progress in reducing gun violence—and to hear directly from those doing frontline intervention work every day.
Co-founded by the Philadelphia Foundation and the William Penn Foundation in 2021, the Coalition supports and strengthens community- and hospital-based intervention efforts. It doesn’t run programs directly—instead, it amplifies, funds, and coordinates frontline work, connecting proven strategies to those most at risk of gun violence. As Executive Director David Brown put it: “You can’t expect someone to put down a gun if you don’t give them something better to pick up.”
A Shared Responsibility
Michael Innocenzo, COO of Exelon, welcomed attendees with a call to action: “The safety of our city is not someone else’s responsibility—it’s all of ours.” He noted that overall gun violence in Philadelphia has dropped roughly 54% from 2021 to 2024, underscoring that “progress only happens through collaboration, commitment, and courage.”
Attendees heard from Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer, who emphasized the importance of strong partnerships. Bethel spoke about the city’s first-ever strategic plan for community policing, while Geer urged the audience to “stay ten toes down” in sustaining momentum.
Frontline Voices: Intervention in Action
The heart of the convening was a powerful segment called Frontline Voices, which lifted up community leaders working directly with high-risk individuals—those most likely to be involved in gun violence. Through targeted regrants, the Coalition helps ensure services like workforce access, housing support, trauma recovery, mentorship, and behavioral health care reach those who need them most.
The convening’s speakers, Pastor Carl Day, Beat the Block; Patrick Clancy, Philadelphia Works; Dr. Elinore Kaufman, Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program; Scott Charles, Temple University Hospital; Zakia Williams, Black Men Heal; and Chantay Love, EMIR Healing Center, focused on three critical pillars of effective intervention:
- Employment and Economic Mobility – People need pathways to purpose and a paycheck to break cycles of violence.
- Hospital Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs) – Hospitals are often the first place someone lands after a shooting, offering a key moment for healing and connection.
- Behavioral Health Resources – Because trauma doesn’t end in the ER; real healing requires sustained, wraparound support.
Progress and a Path Forward
Thanks to the combined efforts of city agencies, community-based organizations, hospital intervention teams, and civic partners, Philadelphia is seeing encouraging signs of progress. But as Director Geer noted, “People still feel unsafe.” Sustaining progress requires citywide commitment—from the streets to boardrooms.
William Penn Foundation’s Shawn McCaney and Comcast’s Bret Perkins closed the event with calls to action urging more organizations to get involved. Ways to partner include:
- Providing financial support to frontline groups
- Creating job opportunities and reentry programs
- Mentoring young people
- Hosting awareness events
- Advocating for sustainable public investment
Visit savephillylives.org/get-involved to learn how you can help save lives—and shape a safer Philadelphia for all.
Interactive Gun Violence Map Now Live at SavePhillyLives.org
The Civic Coalition to Save Lives is now hosting a trusted interactive map that tracks gun violence in Philadelphia—giving residents, advocates, and decision-makers direct access to real-time data. Originally maintained by the City Controller’s Office, the map was taken offline earlier this year during a website update. Data scientist and dashboard creator Nick Hand independently restored it. Now, in partnership with him, the Civic Coalition to Save Lives is making it publicly available at SavePhillyLives.org.
This tool shows daily updates of shootings across the city and includes filters for time, location, and victim demographics. It supports efforts to reach those at the highest risk, deploy resources quickly, prevent retaliation, and evaluate what’s working.
“Gun violence is one of the greatest challenges facing our city, and access to real-time data is essential to understanding and stopping it,” said David W. Brown, executive director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives.
By hosting this dashboard, the Coalition is making sure communities have the same tools as public agencies—promoting transparency, accountability, and smarter interventions that save lives.
Investafest Spotlights Justice-Impacted Entrepreneurs and Bold Ideas
On April 25, Pushing Progress Philly (P3) and the Office of Reentry Partnerships (ORP) hosted the inaugural INVESTAFEST, a dynamic event showcasing the entrepreneurial talents of justice-impacted men. Held at PECO’s Energy Hall, the day brought together P3 participants, contestants from the University of Pennsylvania’s course, “From Mass Incarceration to Social Entrepreneurship,” local business leaders, and supporters from across the city for a high-energy pitch competition and networking experience.
Participants presented innovative business ideas across industries—from clothing and carpentry to nonprofit ventures and logistics—with hopes of securing startup funding and mentorship. The event kicked off with welcoming remarks from ORP Executive Director Assata Thomas and Philadelphia Chief Public Safety Officer Adam Geer, both underscoring the importance of investing in second chances and economic mobility.
Civic Coalition Executive Director David Brown served as one of the INVESTAFEST judges, alongside respected leaders from the business, legal, and nonprofit sectors. Judges challenged participants with thoughtful, tough questions designed to help sharpen their business models and plans for growth.
Three entrepreneurs walked away with seed funding to advance their ideas:
- 1st Place ($15,000): Ma’adh Hall, founder of Socially Reclusive, who is seeking to expand and enhance his clothing line.
- 2nd Place ($10,000): Tyree Wallace, who pitched a reentry-focused business supporting justice-impacted individuals returning home.
- 3rd Place ($5,000): Jesse Dawson, an entrepreneur looking to expand his sneaker reselling business.
INVESTAFEST was more than a competition—it was a powerful reminder of how access to opportunity, mentorship, and investment can help change life trajectories and support safer communities.
New CeaseFire PA Report Highlights the Return on Investment in Intervention Yields Savings for the Commonwealth
A new report from CeaseFirePA—a partner in intervention with the Civic Coalition to Save Lives—shows that Pennsylvania’s historic investment in community violence intervention (CVI) programs is linked to a significant drop in gun homicides, particularly in Philadelphia. Released in March, the report authored by the group’s Allison Anderman makes the case that a $100 million investment in Community Violence Intervention will not only save more lives, it will save Pennsylvania more money.
The report notes that gun homicides began falling two years after the launch of the state’s Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Grants program, with rates in 2023 and 2024 reaching decade lows. CeaseFirePA warns, however, that continued progress depends on sustained funding. They call for an $8 per resident investment in CVI—arguing it could save the state $40 per resident in return.
Summer Reading Pick
Unforgiving Places: Why One Book May Help Us Rethink Gun Violence and Why It Matters Now
As cities like Philadelphia brace for the typical summer surge in gun violence – and as federal support for violence intervention efforts is drying up – now is the time to sharpen our understanding of what truly drives urban violence and the intervention efforts that work to stop it.
One essential read:
Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence
by University of Chicago economist Jens Ludwig.
Civic Coalition to Save Lives Executive Director David W. Brown recently joined Jens Ludwig, a leading economist and founding director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, for a timely conversation at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Moderated by WHYY’s Maiken Scott, the discussion centered around Ludwig’s most recent book, Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, and explored how data-driven insights can inform real-world gun violence intervention strategies.
Ludwig’s research and subsequent book was sparked by a troubling and perplexing observation in South Chicago. Two neighborhoods, similar in poverty, demographics, and history, had vastly different rates of gun violence, separated only by a wide avenue. The disparity challenged conventional wisdom about the root causes of gun violence and led Ludwig to a deeper insight: gun violence is hyper-local, situational, and shaped by fleeting conflicts and environmental factors – not just long-term structural conditions.
His findings underscore a critical takeaway and align with the Coalition’s focus on intervention strategies: to reduce violence, we must focus on where, when, and how it happens—and invest in targeted, place-based strategies that address the specific conditions fueling it.
Ludwig, whose work focuses on the economics of crime, applies behavioral and data science to real-world policy challenges and has driven evidence-based reforms in policing, education, and criminal justice in cities like Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia.
The evening offered a fresh, evidence-based lens on violence intervention and underscored the urgency of focusing resources on place-based strategies and high-risk individuals.
Read More about the book in The Citizen
Book Talk Takeaway: Low-Cost Interventions To Consider – Even as Budgets Shrink
With federal pandemic relief funds expiring and city budgets tightening, leaders across the country are being forced to do more with less. Programs once buoyed by temporary surpluses now face tough tradeoffs. During his conversation with David Brown, economist Jens Ludwig shared real-world examples that prove an important point: effective solutions don’t always require major investments. In fact, with precision, creativity, and behavioral insight, it’s possible to make a measurable impact—even with limited dollars.
Juvenile Detention: Training the Brain
What They Did:
Youth detention staff introduced simple cognitive training exercises to help teens recognize and interrupt impulsive thinking patterns.
Impact:
➡ 20% fewer violent incidents with no new infrastructure or cost.
Police Simulation: Rethinking Response
Chicago officers participated in AI-powered scenario simulations, helping them prepare for real-life high-stress encounters.
What They Did:
Impact:
➡ Reduced use of force, fewer low-value arrests, and decreased racial disparities – without reducing public safety.
Data-Driven Hotspot Targeting in Philadelphia and Other Cities
What They Do:
City data is used to identify and anticipate violence-prone locations.
Impact:
➡ Resources (like outreach teams or police presence) can be prepared and strategically deployed when and where they’re needed most.
“If you can reduce a major social problem by 20% with almost no additional cost, and you don’t do it? That’s a missed opportunity.” – Jens Ludwig at the Philadelphia Library Book Talk
Community Drivers
Join Us to “Toll the Bells” on Gun Violence Awareness Day – June 6
On Friday, June 6, Philadelphia will join communities nationwide in observing National Gun Violence Awareness Day with Toll the Bells—a solemn, citywide sound installation and call to action. At 1 p.m., bells, horns, drums, and other sound-making will ring out at more than 45 institutions and churches across the city and region, honoring those lost to gun violence and standing in solidarity with survivors and advocates working for change.
Now in its second year, Toll the Bells amplifies the progress made through community-based intervention efforts that have contributed to Philadelphia’s steep decrease in gun violence victims since historic highs in 2020, underscoring the urgent need for continued action. The initiative is led by University of Pennsylvania’s Office of the Chaplain, Interfaith Philadelphia, and other partners, with lead funding support from the William Penn Foundation, co-founder of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives.
The commemoration will begin with a 12:15 p.m. interfaith vigil at Penn Live Arts’ Annenberg Center, followed by a community walk and special commissioned performances by Philadelphia-based artists Ruth Naomi Floyd and Omar’s Hat on June 6–7. Through sound, art, and reflection, Toll the Bells is not just a remembrance—it is a rallying cry for transformation and hope. For more information, the schedule of event and a map of participating locations visit this link.
View the 45+ Locations Participating in Toll the Bell
To explore or share the map of bell-ringing sites across Philadelphia, click here.
David Brown Receives 100 Men Making A Difference Award
Rev. David W. Brown, Executive Director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, was honored with the 2025 100 Men Making a Difference Award by Senator Vincent Hughes and the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia.
The award ceremony, held May 19 in celebration of what would have been Malcolm X’s 100th birthday, recognized 100 men for their civic leadership, community impact, and commitment to walking in the legacy of Malcolm X.
ICYMI
News Roundup: Spotlight on Intervention
Each month, we feature news stories from Philadelphia and beyond that highlight the power of intervention—showcasing programs, research, and community efforts working to prevent violence, support those at highest risk, and build safer neighborhoods through proven, people-centered strategies.
How Philly is Helping Formerly Incarcerated Residents Rejoin the Workforce
By Jason Peters, Metro | May 18, 2025
Philadelphia continues to strengthen its support for residents reentering society after incarceration through a combination of policy reforms and community-based services. City Councilmember Rue Landau is advancing legislation to close loopholes in the city’s Fair Chance Hiring law—first passed in 2011—protecting job applicants with criminal records from discrimination and retaliation. Meanwhile, the city’s Office of Reentry Partnerships, led by Assata Thomas, offers a holistic range of services, from job prep and municipal IDs to behavioral health support and housing assistance. The office coordinates with more than 100 local organizations through the Philadelphia Reentry Coalition, helping connect returning citizens to resources based on their specific needs and zip codes. Read More
Office of Council President Kenyatta Johnson | May 16, 2025
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson has reauthorized and expanded the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention, appointing 24 members from government, law enforcement, health, and community organizations to coordinate a unified strategy to reduce gun violence. Since its creation in 2017, the committee has helped direct major city investments into grassroots efforts, Johnson emphasized the urgent need for sustained, cross-sector collaboration, calling public safety “the cornerstone of a thriving society.” Read More
Can a Greener Philly Reduce Crime?
By Mensah M. Dean, The Trace | May 15, 2025
The Trace highlights how efforts to clean and green Philadelphia—through community gardens, tree plantings, brighter lighting, and vacant lot revitalization—are showing promise as a strategy to reduce gun violence. One block captain in Southwest Philly credits a memorial garden with transforming her street, while a Penn study found that new LED lighting led to a 21% drop in nighttime gun crime. Experts caution it’s not a standalone solution, but it may help foster safer, more resilient communities. Read More
In Brooklyn, Public Safety Starts with the Community
By Chip Brownlee, The Trace | May 13, 2025
What happens when 911 calls go to trusted neighbors instead of police? In Brownsville, Brooklyn, residents are proving that community-led safety works. During designated weeks, violence interrupters—not officers—respond to crises, de-escalating conflicts and connecting people to resources without cuffs or sirens. A new analysis shows these programs are driving down shootings — by up to 20% in some precincts. Read More
Despite Its Success, Kensington Violence Intervention Program Among Projects Hit By DOJ Grant Cuts
By Violet Comber-Wilen, Billy Penn | May 9, 2025
The Cure Violence Basketball League in Kensington—praised for creating a safe, supportive space for men impacted by gun violence—has been hailed as a major success, contributing to Philadelphia’s remarkable drop in shootings in the area since 2023. Yet, despite its impact, the program is among those hit by sudden Department of Justice funding cuts, with $1.5 million in grants to New Kensington Community Development Corporation that runs the league being eliminated. Leaders warn that losing this evidence-based, community-rooted intervention program could reverse hard-won progress in one of Philadelphia’s most affected neighborhoods. Read More
12th District police hold peace patrol in Southwest Philly
By Shawnette Wilson, Fox 29 Philadelphia | May 7, 2025
In response to a recent surge in shootings, including incidents involving youth, Philadelphia’s 12th District police and community members initiated a “peace patrol” in Southwest Philly. Starting at 55th and Kingsessing, officers and chaplains engaged residents with prayers, discussions on violence prevention, and information about local resources. The initiative aims to foster community trust and will continue with bi-monthly patrols throughout the summer. Read More
