The Challenge
Few gun violence prevention programs in Philadelphia take a comprehensive approach to providing young people with opportunities and services that address their holistic needs and the needs of their families. When young people are involved in designing and implementing programs intended to benefit them, these efforts become more effective and sustainable. Authentic youth-adult partnerships not only address systemic inequities but also empower youth to act as agents of change within their communities.
The Project
Health Promotion Council (HPC) embraces a public health approach to gun violence aimed at addressing high-risk circumstances, empowering young leaders, and fostering safe communities. HPC’s Advocacy Institute Philly Peace Ambassadors (Ai PPA) manage a violence prevention initiative that addresses critical needs like housing, food, mental health, relationships, and skill-building. Through this Emerging Leader Fellowship, Nyrhae Williams will conduct a community mapping assessment and an audit of HPC’s initiatives to ensure that its programming is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and youth-centered.
Specifically, this Fellowship will enable Nyrhae to:
- Conduct a community mapping assessment and an in-depth audit of HPC’s programs, including an analysis of the scope, accessibility, and outcomes of its youth-serving initiatives.
- Expand the youth-focused gun violence prevention curriculum. Ai PPA serves as a training initiative for youth ages 13-19, equipping them with the skills to identify the circumstances and systems contributing to gun violence risk in Philadelphia. The 10-week program focuses on self awareness, self-efficacy, and examining gun violence as a public health issue.
- Develop and implement a wraparound service plan for youth and families, including (1) a robust network of wraparound services for youth and families; (2) a standardized intake assessment for youth; and (3) a structured referral framework to link youth identified as high-risk to appropriate resources.
