We here at AVP want to acknowledge and offer our condolences to all of the victims, survivors, friends and families of the recent violence in schools. It is our daily experience to serve families who experience sudden loss at the hands of violence.  We witness each day the profound cost of homicide for the families we serve, the intense pain that runs parallel to traumatic loss, and the strength it takes for co-victims to invest in their new reality.

For those who are living with traumatic grief, tragic events may elicit a re-experiencing of their personal tragedies. It is common for individuals, both children and adults to experience overwhelming feelings as a part of living with trauma. We have included several links listed below to help adults and children cope with a traumatic event.

Talking with your children about the tragedy:

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/aftermath.aspx

Managing Traumatic Stress After a Traumatic Event:

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/recovering-disasters.aspx
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/disaster_recovery_trauma_stress_coping.htm

Philadelphia is deeply affected by violence; it plagues our streets, our homes, and our schools, it burdens families and children.  As an agency we are working each day to prevent and respond to the public health epidemic of violence in our community. We understand that those affected by violence here in Philadelphia may re-experience their personal tragedies after hearing about the losses in the media. We hope that the above guides will help with your experience but if you are seeking further help, please call us at 215-567-6776.

Every first Thursday of the month, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office will bring valuable and necessary resources to residents of the city of Philadelphia.

With the support of internal and external partnerships, the DAO will bring together employers, trauma informed professionals, victim services advocates, housing specialists, and social service providers to provider a one-stop job and resource hub.

Meet with over 50 employers and service providers! 

The next event is this Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the YMCA Columbia North at 1400 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia. 

Who Should Attend:

• Recent college grads
• Returning citizens
• Military personnel/veterans
• High school graduates
• Crime victims
• The community at large

For more information, contact G. Lamar Stewart at glamar.stewart@phila.gov. 

AVP offers a range of services and resources available for victims and their families. All of our services are provided free of charge to our clients.

If you are in an emergency situation, are suicidal or a risk to others, please dial 911 or call the suicide hotline at 215-686-4420.

Our Counseling Services

Some people find it helpful to talk about what happened and express their feelings in a non-judgmental setting. We have licensed counselors on staff who are specialized in assisting families, individuals and children that have been traumatized by violence. Get more information on our counseling services here.

Our Victim Services

Many victims will need assistance navigating the criminal justice system, even if an arrest has not been made. Our advocates are available to assist and support you throughout the trial. If you are a co-victim of homicide and need help working with the Police Department or District Attorney’s Office, or have a question about the status of your case, please call one of our advocates at (215) 686-8033. Read more about our trial advocates here.

There are a range of other resources available for victims of crime, including Crime Victims’ Compensation. Many victims have immediate needs such as food, shelter, or home repair. AVP’s West/Southwest Victim Services program can help victims of crime in that community. Read more on West/Southwest Victim Services here.

VIP Project

Through the Violence and Intervention Project (VIP), AVP counselors assist school staff to respond to the short and long-term mental health needs of students after violent incidents affecting the school or community. In addition, a significant component of the project is to provide participatory anti-violence training and counseling aimed at helping students identify and choose positive alternatives to their disputes. To read more, click here.