IFS HOPE Symposium Highlights Cross-Sector Solutions to Gun Violence
The IFS HOPE Symposium on Gun Violence, held earlier this month at Temple University, brought together experts, survivors and community leaders to explore cross-sector solutions to one of Philadelphia’s most pressing public health crises. Hosted by the Institute for Forgiveness and Reconciliation at Temple’s College of Public Health, the daylong event featured research presentations, breakout sessions and a keynote panel focused on how trusted relationships and trauma-informed systems can disrupt cycles of violence. CBS3 health reporter Stephanie Stahl moderated the kick-off panel discussion.
Panelists included Dr. Amy Goldberg and Scott Charles of Temple University Health System; Dr. Ruth Abaya and Dr. Stephen Leff of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Malcolm Yates of Public Health Management Corporation and the Delaware County Black Caucus; Oronde McClain of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting; and David Brown, executive director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives.
David Brown emphasized the need for collaboration over ego. “Good ideas don’t care where they come from,” he said. “If we really want to save lives, we have to empower those ideas and overcome the barriers that stand in the way.”
Panelists stressed that prevention begins in neighborhoods, not just in hospitals, through early intervention, mental health care and community-rooted leadership. “We have to stop seeing survivors only as victims,” Malcolm Yates said. “The programming shouldn’t be about maintaining trauma. It should be about empowering leaders.”
Scott Charles, Trauma Outreach Manager and Director of the Trauma Victim Advocacy Program at Temple University Hospital, highlighted the need to confront public misconceptions about gun violence. “We have to let people see what we see,” he said. “There’s such a disconnect between the perception of gun violence and what it really is.”
Dr. Ruth Abaya called on institutions to address systemic causes. “Violence thrives where we’ve removed opportunity,” she said. “We need child access prevention policies, and we need to tackle poverty, not just talk about it.”
Oronde McClain, who was a victim of gun violence as a child, urged systems to listen. “This isn’t advocacy for me—this is my life,” he said. “People closer to the problem are closest to the solution. Include us. Listen to us.”
Throughout the discussion, panelists returned to a central theme: communities need consistency, not performative engagement. “You can’t just show up during a crisis,” Yates said. “Communities remember who’s really there.”
The Civic Coalition to Save Lives remains committed to advancing the kind of collaborative, community-informed work highlighted throughout the symposium. As the panelists made clear, reducing gun violence requires more than good intentions, it requires long-term investment, mutual trust and the courage to act together.
More Than a Photo: A Promise of Partnership and a Path Away from Gun Violence
When Deion Sumpter, deputy director of Violence Prevention Initiatives in the City’s Office of Safe Neighborhoods, speaks about Philadelphia’s gun violence intervention efforts, he often starts with a photo from 2020. Taken on the porch of a mother whose son was deeply involved in gun violence, the image captures a powerful moment: Sumpter stands with a credible messenger, a representative from the District Attorney’s Office, a parole officer, a social worker, and a police officer—not there to arrest, but to offer help.
The mother asked to take the photo herself because she couldn’t believe what she was seeing: law enforcement and community partners at her door with support, not handcuffs. She wanted proof—for her son and for herself—that this was real.
“I told her, ‘Ma’am, whatever your son needs, we’ll provide. Employment, relocation, diapers—whatever it is, I will drop it off myself,’” Sumpter said. “Too often, these young men are given promises that never materialize. We’re here to offer something real. A way out.”
That commitment is at the heart of the City’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) initiative, launched in Philadelphia in 2020. A nationally recognized, evidence-based model, GVI brings together communities, law enforcement, and service providers to reduce gun violence by focusing on the small number of individuals at highest risk, offering support, accountability, dignity, and a path forward.
GVI uses data to identify individuals most likely to commit or fall victim to gun violence and connects them to a coordinated, three-part response: direct, trust-building communication; access to supportive services and opportunities; and focused enforcement when necessary.
Research shows that even in cities with high rates of violence, a small number of people—typically less than half a percent of the population—are involved in up to 70 percent of shootings and homicides, and they are often connected through groups. These groups can range from nationally recognized gangs with formal hierarchies to informal neighborhood crews or blocs with no structure beyond shared identity or geography. Regardless of the name, groups represent the tightly networked social circles where most urban gun violence occurs.
Sumpter had hoped to meet the young man that Saturday, but he wasn’t home. Days later, he received a text: “Mr. Deion, can we meet for a conversation?” They scheduled a time.
Later that same day, at 1:12 p.m., the young man was ambushed and killed in Upper Darby while picking up his child from daycare.
“In just three years, Philadelphia lost 1,600 people to gun violence,” Sumpter said. “That’s 1,600 moms. 1,600 families that had to bury a child.”
Sumpter shared this story, and the urgency behind it, at the Intercultural Family Services (IFS) HOPE Symposium on Gun Violence at Temple University this month in a session titled “Policing in Perspective: Building Trust – Effective Law Enforcement Strategies to Combat Gun Violence.”
He joined First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford of the Philadelphia Police Department to offer a compelling look at how Philadelphia is redefining public safety through GVI. Backed by data and driven by partnerships, the approach is working: a recent University of Pennsylvania study affirmed GVI’s role in reducing gun violence while strengthening community relationships.
The Office of Safe Neighborhoods and the Philadelphia Police Department are key partners in the city’s gun violence intervention network, working alongside hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs), community-based organizations, and other public agencies at the frontlines of this crucial work. The Civic Coalition to Save Lives helps connect and strengthen intervention efforts by providing resources, bolstering capacity, building public awareness and fostering collaboration among law enforcement, community leaders and public agencies to implement and sustain effective intervention strategies.
“GVI isn’t about arresting our way out of this crisis,” said Sumpter. “It’s about showing up in the neighborhoods most affected, with partners and city agencies offering real resources in real time.”
Stanford emphasized the power of presence and trust. “When we walk blocks and sit with neighbors to talk about street lights, cameras, or just listen, it’s not just crime prevention—it’s community restoration.”
While challenges remain, both leaders underscored the importance of sustained engagement, long-term investment, and deep partnership. As Sumpter put it:
“We need the ability to offer a job just as quickly as making an arrest.”
Truist Foundation Gift Fuels Workforce Development Strategy
With generous support from the Truist Foundation, the Civic Coalition to Save Lives has launched a major research initiative with Econsult Solutions, Inc. The work is focused on a critical, but often overlooked, driver of gun violence: lack of economic mobility.
Based in Philadelphia and recognized for its data-driven approach to public policy and economic equity, Econsult is conducting a deep dive into the region’s workforce development landscape. The study will specifically look at sustainable employment pathways for individuals at the highest risk of gun violence, many of whom face barriers tied to justice system involvement. The project aims to:
- Identify service gaps and access challenges for job seekers with criminal records
- Gather firsthand input from intervention participants about employment goals and needs
- Engage employers to explore inclusive hiring practices
- Align workforce programs with real labor market demand
- Deliver clear, actionable strategies to expand access to upwardly mobile careers
“This work recognizes that long-term public safety is tied to economic opportunity,” said David Brown, executive director, the Civic Coalition to Save Lives. “When we connect people at the highest risk to meaningful jobs and support, we’re not just reducing violence—we’re building futures.”
The final product will be a practical field guide to inform programming, policy, and future investment. The effort is part of the Coalition’s strategic focus on strengthening comprehensive intervention efforts that help participants achieve stability, dignity and lasting change.
Strengthening the Foundation
GVICC Welcomes Two New Consultants to Advance Data and Workforce Strategies
The Gun Violence Intervention Coordination Center (GVICC) is proud to welcome two new consultants who will help advance its mission to reduce gun violence in Philadelphia through data-driven, community-centered strategies. Their addition reflects GVICC’s growing capacity to support long-term solutions that create real pathways out of violence and into opportunity.
Launched in 2023 by the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, GVICC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing community-based gun violence intervention. In close partnership with the City, GVICC directly supports gun violence intervention programs while also advancing innovative strategies in housing, workforce development, and neighborhood safety. One such initiative is a housing pilot developed in partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and the City of Philadelphia, which expands access to stable housing for individuals in intensive case management through Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs, many of whom face significant barriers due to complex criminal histories.
Jacquelyn George — Data Strategist
Jacquelyn is a violence prevention and policy professional with extensive experience developing trauma-informed, data-driven strategies to address systemic harm and community violence in Philadelphia. She began her public safety career as a Law Enforcement Analyst with the Philadelphia Police Department and served as a liaison with the FBI-Philadelphia Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force. Most recently, Jacquelyn served as Policy Analyst for the Citizens Police Oversight Commission where she led initiatives to improve police oversight, accountability and community relationships. At GVICC, she is leading efforts at the intersection of data and policy, both programmatic and public. Her current portfolio includes:
- Assisting in the collection and analysis of gun violence intervention program data to contribute to program outcome learnings and field best practices
- Crafting and informing success measures for housing and workforce development initiatives that support people in gun violence intervention
- Leveraging these data efforts to build stronger strategies around housing and job opportunities
- Integrating systems and data processes to address gender-based violence and human trafficking within gun violence intervention programs
Terrell Roberts — Economic Mobility Strategist
Terrell brings over 18 years of experience leading workforce development, educational programming, community engagement initiatives and reentry support. With a proven track record of building strategic partnerships across government, education, nonprofit sectors, Terrell specializes in aligning workforce systems with local labor market demands to promote economic mobility and sustainable, inclusive career pathways for underserved and justice-involved populations.
At the GVICC, he is developing a systems-level workforce strategy to expand access to employment, training, and entrepreneurship for individuals engaged in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs. Bringing a collaborative, data-informed approach to his work, Terrell’s work includes:
- Contributing to a citywide study on jobs and economic opportunity for people at highest risk of gun violence, in partnership with Econsult Solutions, a Philadelphia-based economic consulting firm
- Building strong connections with local programs and workforce partners, including credentialing and academic partners, to ensure those most at risk of gun violence can access the growing investments in workforce development
- Imbedding economic mobility frameworks and goals into workforce development initiatives to push from job placement to career growth and economic self-sufficiency
- Helping participants in violence intervention programs prepare for meaningful employment by connecting them to training, life skills coaching, certifications, and pathways to entrepreneurship
Community Drivers
Salvation Army’s Kroc Center Hosts Powerful “Spread Love Not Bullets” Event
The Salvation Army’s Philadelphia Kroc Center brought the community together June 12 for an evening of unity, healing, and hope at the “Spread Love Not Bullets” Gun Violence Awareness Event.
Spread Love Not Bullets began with an inspiring symposium led by Rev. David W. Brown, Executive Director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, who emphasized that addressing gun violence must begin with caring for our mental and emotional health. Sharing personal reflections on loss and resilience, Brown encouraged attendees to see themselves as protectors and supporters of the young people in their lives.
Two of the Coalition’s partner organizations shared insights and strategies for healing and intervention:
- EMIR Healing Center’s Amir Bradley highlighted how trauma from violence often leaves families uncertain about what they need or where to turn. He emphasized the importance of meeting people where they are—offering grief support, trauma counseling, and practical help like navigating victims’ compensation—while also recognizing the fear of retaliation and ensuring people feel safe accessing services.
- Black Men Heal’s Zakia Williams and Tasnim Sulaiman reminded the audience that healing is ongoing work, and intentional self-care is a vital part of it. They walked attendees through a “mental wellness check-in,” prompting them to reflect on areas like sleep, stress, joy, and connection. They also encouraged participants to assess their emotional, financial, social, and spiritual well-being.
We can’t just react to violence, we have to be intentional about healing, about protecting our kids, and about building the kind of community where love is louder than bullets,” Brown said. “That starts with mental wellness, connection, and showing up for one another.”
Through activities centered around the themes of healing, hope and resilience, attendees participated in a Prayer Walk of Healing and planted seeds in honor of lives lost to gun violence. The event also offered spirited games for families to connect, including Ball Against Violence, Swim Against Violence, a triathlon challenge and soccer.
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
Digital Tools, Human Impact: How Hartford’s COMPASS Program Is Leading a Smarter Way to Stop Gun Violence By Chip Brownlee, The Trace | June 24, 2025
In Hartford, Connecticut, a small nonprofit called COMPASS Youth Collaborative is making major strides in reducing gun violence through a combination of high-touch street outreach and smart technology. Their homegrown mobile app, Navi, is now the central tool used by “Peacebuilders” – credible messengers and violence interrupters – to track real-time updates on at-risk youth, manage safety assessments, and coordinate support. Originally overwhelmed with paper notes and large caseloads, COMPASS now uses Navi to log over 2,800 interactions monthly, flag potential conflicts, and immediately respond to basic needs or major life events. Read More
Philly advocates confront gun violence with healing and hope By Casey Sebastiano, Metro | June 17, 2025
On June 11, the Intercultural Family Services’ HOPE Symposium on Gun Violence brought together advocates, survivors, and city leaders at Temple University for a day of reflection and action. David Brown, executive director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives joined city leaders and several Coalition partners for the opening panel. With sessions on youth empowerment, trauma recovery, and community-police relationships, the event emphasized healing, connection, and shared responsibility in the fight to end gun violence in Philadelphia. Read More
Philadelphia’s Climate Strategy Yields Unexpected Gains in Public Safety Office of Sustainability | June 16, 2025
New data from Philadelphia’s 2025 Climate Action Update points to a promising connection between climate infrastructure and community safety. The Philly Streetlight Improvement Project, the city’s largest conservation project to date, is converting all city-operated streetlights to longer-lasting, energy-efficient LED lights with controls. The project is more than 80% complete and on track for completion this fall. A recent study showed a 21 percent reduction in gun violence where streetlights have been updated, reinforcing the value of cross-sector strategies that improve quality of life while advancing public safety. Read More
A Day of Mourning and a Community Rally for Peace and Action By Leland Pinder, 6abc | June 13, 2025
The same day that loved ones gathered to honor Izir Williams, the 16-year-old tragically shot in West Philadelphia, The Salvation Army hosted its annual Spread Love, Not Bullets event—bringing together community members, youth leaders, and advocates to call for an end to gun violence. Among the speakers was David W. Brown, Executive Director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, who emphasized the power of collaboration and community investment in keeping young people safe. Read More
Philadelphia Takes Innovative Public Health Approach to Combat Gun Violence Crisis By David Rosen, Hoodline Philadelphia | June 13, 2025
Philadelphia is rethinking gun violence as a public health crisis, with the Health Department’s Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention division partnering with the CDC on a four-step public health response:
- Define the problem using community input and data
- Identify risk and protective factors that shape safety
- Test targeted prevention strategies
- Scale up what works using evidence-based methods
This structured, proactive model treats gun violence similarly to chronic disease—addressing its root causes rather than waiting for incidents to occur and relying solely on enforcement. It’s part of a broader embrace of public health tools in the city’s gun violence reduction efforts. Read More
Bells Toll Across Philadelphia to Call Attention to Gun Violence By Violet Comber-Wilen, Billy Penn | June 6, 2025
Penn Live Arts’ Toll the Bell event brought church bells and sound installations to over 50 sites across the city, calling residents to reflect on the impact of gun violence. Faith leaders, artists, and community members marched and spoke about the urgent need for action.
Civic Coalition to Save Lives community-based partners CeaseFire PA and Eddie’s House joined others as well as members of the faith community in the effort demonstrating the power of collective voice and shared commitment to a safer Philadelphia. Read More
Stopping gun violence in Philadelphia By Victoria Anyanwu, Board of Health, Department of Public Health | June 6, 2025
On June 6, the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health launched its annual Gun Violence Awareness Month, beginning with Wear Orange Weekend and marking the eleventh National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The initiative highlights gun violence as a public health crisis, sharing weekly blog posts that explain public-health strategies, document citywide efforts, and promote community engagement.
The update also revealed encouraging data: firearm injuries in Philadelphia fell from 2,270 in 2022 to 1,105 in 2024, and homicides dropped 43%—the largest decline among major U.S. cities. The campaign emphasizes a collaborative, multi-sector approach, spotlighting programs like CCIP, GVI, hospital- and community-based violence intervention, reentry support, and citywide safe neighborhood initiatives. Residents are encouraged to participate in awareness activities each Friday in June to support the City’s ongoing violence prevention efforts. Read More
