National Night Out-Tuesday August 2
July 28, 2022
STOP the Violence
News & Updates
The City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Office exists to change the community narrative about violence and stop the spread of the disease of violence in the City. While we are concerned as well with the surrounding areas and will share solutions and events in those areas, we only have jurisdiction in the City. We would be pleased to share our knowledge and strategies with any jurisdiction outside of the City.

Table of Contents

  • Something You Can Do: Attend A National Night Out Event - August 2
  • Solutions: NEW 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline
  • Solutions: Mayor Ed Gainey On Building A More Peaceful Pittsburgh
  • Solutions Update: STOP the Violence Community Investment Grants
  • Archive: Pittsburgh Plan For Peace
  • Solutions: Let Us Know Using StopTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov
  • Facts & Stats Archive: Pittsburgh Police 2021 Annual Statistical Report
  • Archive: Mayor Ed Gainey-"We CAN change this culture"
  • Archive: Mayor Ed Gainey-"YOU are the answer"
  • Archive: Mayor Ed Gainey-"We want ZERO gun violence"
  • Something You Can Do: Pray for Peace and Against Violence
  • Training: Group Violence Intervention; Gun Violence and Public Health Webinar Series; Conflict Resolution Training and More
  • Facts and Stats: From June 2022
  • Tip for You
  • Coming Events
  • Community Resources

Please complete the 5 polls in this Newsletter.

Please encourage the people in your networks to subscribe to the Newsletter. If anyone you forward the Newsletter to would unsubscribe, you will be unsubscribed as well (and would need to resubscribe to receive the Newsletter again).

If you're interested in helping STOP the violence, please send us an email by clicking HERE.

Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter
Something You Can Do:

National Night Out:
Tuesday August 2, 2022

Which event will you attend?
On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, residents everywhere are encouraged to attend one or more events as part of National Night Out (NNO), a nationwide voluntary community-building effort that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. "Just getting to know your neighbors makes your neighborhood safer" according to Jay Gilmer, STOP the Violence Coordinator for the City of Pittsburgh. PLEASE NOTE: ONE ZONE 5 EVENT IS ON JULY 31.
John Tokarski
Pittsburgh National Night Out Coordinator
John Tokarski, Pittsburgh's National Night Out Coordinator says that “NNO allows residents to sit back and take a full and complete look at what makes their lives so wonderful. It allows them meet their neighbors, various members of their business and faith-based communities, as well as their local first responders and how working together can create safe and loving communities. It makes everyone realize that it's a partnership...a team, that make neighborhoods great.
"Events such as NNO help create the opportunity for residents and neighbors to meet and engage with police, fire and ems professionals in a friendly, laid back environment where everyone gets to know and appreciate each other.”

Just find an event and go!! This year's registered National Night Out events, listed in order of their Police Zone are:
Poll #1: Can you attend a National Night Out event this year?
Yes
No
Solutions:

NEW 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline

An important, but rarely discussed, type of violence is suicide. There are far more suicides than homicides in the United States most years.

One resource to prevent suicides is the newly renamed 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline (formerly known as teh National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

The Lifeline’s network of over 200 crisis centers has been in operation since 2005, and has been proven to be effective. It’s the counselors at these local crisis centers who answer the contacts the Lifeline receives every day. Numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor.

For more information on the Lifeline, including statistics on effectiveness and how YOU can become a trained responder, please click HERE.
Solutions:

Mayor Ed Gainey
On
Building A More Peaceful Pittsburgh
This editorial appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on July 7, 2022
I grew up on Lawn Street in South Oakland until the age of 7. It was a neighborhood where everyone looked out for one another. Kids enjoyed the freedom of playing outdoors knowing that if they got out of line, someone would be there to hold them accountable. It was this environment of collective responsibility that held our community together — and one that I believe can bring us together today.

From Uvalde, Texas, to right here in Pittsburgh, cities and towns across the county are facing an epidemic of gun violence that continues to take thousands of innocent lives. Every moment that goes by without bold action to reverse this trend is a moment, and maybe another life, lost. We must be — and can be — that community I once remembered on Lawn Street.

Building that community is a task for everyone, but it’s the job of my administration to take the lead.

My administration’s Plan for Peace is the first step to creating a safer city for everyone. Its purpose is to lay the foundation of health and safety and security on which each neighborhood, each block and each family can build a better community, the communities we need and deserve.
It is a plan that calls for a police force that prioritizes community policing and best-in-class training that will help to remove illegal guns from our streets. This means effective de-escalation and relationship building. But we will not be held hostage by the people responsible for the violence in our city: We are committed to this approach to solve the root causes of violence in order to create peace for generations to come. We’ll be working to create a culture within our Bureau of Police that fosters and emphasizes community relationships as a way to meet law enforcement goals. Only when our officers work alongside the communities they serve can we begin to chart a path for peace.

That’s why the plan focuses our policing resources on responding to violent crimes, while creating high-quality diversion pathways with alternative response measures for those who need it. Young people who are going down the wrong road need to know there is hope for change, for a brighter future. This plan ensures that the path to peace and well-being is high-quality, credible, visible and within reach for every resident.
Most importantly, my plan addresses violence as a public health crisis that is treatable and preventable. Young people aren’t born violent, just like they aren’t born sick. By changing the conditions in their communities, we can make it less likely they will contract the virus of violence.

Safety is a sacred obligation of anyone entrusted to serve the public. And because we can’t wait another day, we have already put the plan into action. We have announced a national search for a new police chief committed to the vision. We have opened our STOP the Violence Community Investment Grants application so we can continue to build out and fund our community partners doing violence prevention work. These grants expand the effectiveness of our Group Violence Intervention outreach, which brings together community members, law enforcement officials and social service providers to reduce violence. And on the South Side we have put into action our three-pronged approach involving law enforcement, code enforcement and fire enforcement to make the streets safer.
These measures, along with the other principles outlined in our plan, will take time to achieve the results we need. Overhauling our city’s public safety system and approach to gun violence will not happen overnight, but we are committed to an objective evaluation of the results. By measuring outcomes based on data and evidence, we will be able to align our resources to strategies that work.

We also need bold leadership from our elected leaders in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. We need to move with fierce urgency to get guns off the streets and out of the hands of our kids. People are dying — innocent schoolkids and teachers are dying — and for far too long our leaders have refused to take up meaningful gun control legislation like red-flag laws, banning assault-style weapons like the AR-15, and holding gun owners responsible for reporting when their weapons are lost or stolen.

My administration is hard at work to turn the tide of violence. Just like any public health crisis, there is no one easy fix. The solution requires all of us — from parents to police, from health care professionals to city hall — to come together with a common purpose in a coordinated, sustained and concentrated effort for peace. Together, we will come together to make Pittsburgh one of the safest cities in our country.
Poll #2: Did you read this entire article (Ed Gainey's editorial)?
Yes
No
A component of the Pittsburgh Plan For Peace is $1 million in grants for violence prevention projects in the City in 2022. These STOP the Violence Community Investment Grants are made possible from the City's STOP the Violence Trust Fund. 

Grant proposals were accepted on the POISE Foundation's website from early June until July 5. A total of over $8.5 million was requested by over 100 applicants, who are serving neighborhoods throughout the City. Applications are now being evaluated and a maximum of 35 grants will be awarded. Funds should be disbursed in September.

According to Jay Gilmer, the City's STOP the Violence Coordinator, "most interesting to me is the number of organizations serving the people of Pittsburgh. Lots of groups are also active in more than one of the City's 6 police zones. An average of 9 groups are solely active in just one police zone-ranging from 2 groups in zone 6 to 21 groups in zone 5.
Jay Gilmer
Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Coordinator
"An astounding 57 organizations are active in zone 5 (including those serving one zone and multiple zones). This means that resources are usually available in the neighborhoods where they are needed most."

If any individual in the City is in need of support to prevent violence, please inform the STOP the Violence Office.
Poll #3: Do you think that STOP the Violence Community Investment Grants are a good idea?
Yes
No

Archive:

Mayor Ed Gainey's
Pittsburgh Plan For Peace


"It's going to take all of us"
On June 3, 2022, Mayor Gainey announced his Pittsburgh Plan For Peace.  When he announced the Plan, Mayor Gainey stated that "public safety is our number one priority".
You can find the entire Pittsburgh Plan For Peace HERE.
Solutions:
 
Let Us Know Using
 
Are you aware of a NON-EMERGENCY situation that has the potential to turn violent but doesn’t yet need police attention? This could include a dispute, feud, insult, social media post, party, sporting event, fight being planned or even a rumor. It could involve school students or adults of any age, men or women. 

If you are, please contact the City of Pittsburgh's STOP the Violence Office using email address: StopTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov
"I think our expert outreach team, contracted through Center that Cares, has the ability to intervene in almost any situation if we have some notice. I encourage school personnel, sports team coaches, pastors, neighbors, and concerned community members to look out for the people they care about and report anything or anyone that could turn violent" said Jay Gilmer, the Department of Public Safety's STOP the Violence Coordinator. 

"Our goal is to resolve situations before violence occurs and police are necessary," .
If you know someone who needs a bit of help to avoid getting involved in activities that could lead to violence and someone becoming a statistic, please let us know. Help might include advice, family assistance, recovery, support from peers, or even a place to go. 
According to Reverend Cornell Jones, Director of Outreach for the City of Pittsburgh, "this information sharing email address is to enable us to know how to best use our outreach resources to prevent or interrupt violence. If we know about a situation or event with enough notice, our presence might be able to prevent something without anyone getting hurt or arrested. We want to see situations resolved before they escalate and result in someone getting hurt or going to jail."
Reverend Cornell Jones
Director of Outreach
When you send the email, please leave a few details and the neighborhood you are writing from. You will receive an initial response within 2 business days. 

The City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Office has access to many resources and partner organizations who would be pleased to help you or your friend. The STOP the Violence Office is part of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety but is not the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. 
THIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY HOTLINE
AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CALLIING 911 OR 311    

IF VIOLENCE IS READY TO BREAK OUT, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
Poll #4: Do you know a person who you would like to refer to StopTheViolence@PittsurghPa.gov?
Yes
No
Facts & Stats Archive:
Pittsburgh Police Release 2021 Annual Statistical Report

If you really want to know what your Pittsburgh Police were doing in 2021, see the 21021 Annual Statistical Report which was released on May 11. The 131 page report covers everything from neighborhood crime and arrest statistics to personnel distribution and disciplinary actions.


Archive:
Mayor Ed Gainey

"Reach out to us. We will try to connect you with every resource we've got."
Mayor Gainey continued his efforts to change the culture of violence at a community clean-up event in Homewood on Saturday, April 23, 2022 on Frankstown Avenue in front of House of Manna Faith Community. Here are excerpts of the Mayor’s talk: 
 
"We want to eliminate gun violence in the city. And that starts with all of us. We can’t do it without you. I want to thank the community, because we’ve got more people to come forward and report things than ever before. 
"If you have an issue with kids in your neighborhood or your own kid, reach out to us. We will try to connect you with every resource we’ve got. We are all in. 
 
"We know what’s going on in these streets, whispering what’s going on. Talking about what’s going on. In order to change this culture, it takes all of us."

You can see the Mayor’s entire talk here: 
Archive:
Mayor Ed Gainey


"We want zero gun violence"

Mayor Gainey again spoke eloquently and prophetically at the March 22, 2022 Homewood Community Meeting organized by the Mayor's Office and held at the Community Empowerment Association.

Before a packed auditorium, Mayor Gainey stated that "We want zero gun violence".
Realizing that many in the audience might be skeptical of such a lofty goal, the Mayor continued by saying: "Some people will say that's unrealistic. But I say, is trying unrealistic? If the ancestors didn't try ... So do you still think it's unrealistic? Then let's go get it!"

To see Mayor Gainey's entire 12 minute speech, please click on the box below. The entire meeting video is over an hour; however, Mayor Gainey mentions the zero violence goal around minute 15 (unfortunately, the sound quality is sometimes poor).


Archive: Mayor Ed Gainey

"YOU are the answer"


Mayor Gainey spoke at a February 11, 2021 Stop the Violence Prayer Vigil and Rally organized by the South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace. The Mayor made a few key points:
Mayor Ed Gainey
"There’s nobody coming in our neighborhoods to stop the violence except for the ones who live in the neighborhood.

"If you want to stop this killing, don’t look around, look inside.

"Until we adults get off social media arguing and fighting with one another like they’re 10 or 11 years old, but in the next sentence saying ‘we need peace’. Now how are you saying ‘we need peace’ while you’re on social media talking violence? 

"We’ve got to change our ways. How are we going to save us when you hide in the silence? Somebody knows what’s happening in these killings. We look downtown to police to solve it, but we won’t cooperate.  It’s time for us to step up. 

If you’d like to hear Mayor Gainey's entire talk, just click on the picture below.



Something You Can Do:

Pray For Peace and Against Violence

Anyone can pray for peace and against violence either alone or as part of the STOP the Violence Prayer Team. If prayer is important to you, please pray whenever and wherever possible against violence.
According to Pastor Paul Roberts of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty, regular praying "keeps peace in the mind and heart of out community. It causes us to discuss and ask questions like what should we be doing."
If you, your pastor or spiritual leader or your place of worship or church sign up for the non-denominational prayer team, you will receive periodic prayer request emails and notices about faith-based initiatives to prevent violence and increase peace in our community. You can sign up HERE.
Training:
Group Violence Intervention +
Pittsburgh's Group Violence Intervention initiative (GVI) is a proven strategy to reduce shootings and homicides in urban neighborhoods by using a multi-aspect strategy:

  • informed street outreach and social services to prevent violence,
  • involved community members reinforcing community norms rejecting violence; and
  • law enforcement in partnership with the community when other means are not effective.

For additional information on GVI, including its history and rationale, see this hour-long webinar from Mayors Against Illegal Guns entitled Re-imagining Public Safety: Group Violence Intervention and Intimate Partner Intervention: Webinar. The password is: MAIGUn1versity!

Pittsburgh’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) violence prevention strategy, including the complete logic model, was featured in the October 2021 STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE.

Support and outreach for GVI are coordinated by Rev. Cornell Jones, Director of Outreach who can be contacted at cornell.jones@pittsburghpa.gov.
GVI Support & Outreach:

Pittsburgh’s Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention-Part 1 was featured in the August 2021 STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE. Part 2, including GVI and its complete logic model, was featured in the October 2021 Newsletter and can be accessed HERE.

How does support and outreach work?
 
Recent research on GVI’s support and outreach component was released this month by the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC). The report explains that in GVI, traditional “social services'' are replaced with a structure “tailored to members of the special core street population, their situation, and their needs.” This is done because “many GVI clients are not ready for traditional social services like remedial education and employment training … these clients instead receive ‘support and outreach.’ Support is defined as ‘providing centralized and accessible services for people at high risk of violence.’” Outreach is defined as ‘’making deliberate, persistent, and consistent connections to people involved in violence to foster new relationships and build community.”


Support and Outreach Best Practices
NNSC’s research from around the country has shown that effective outreach and support includes these best practices:

  • The Goal: Staying alive and out of prison.
  • Actually reach out.
  • Protect from risk.
  • Address trauma. 
  • Provide critical resources. 
  •  Support the whole family. 
  • Connect to traditional services. 

For the entire report on Support and Outreach, click HERE.

How you can help
Community efforts to compliment the GVI strategy are encouraged. Rev. Jones states: “Other community members, businesses and ministries can help too, even if they don’t have the skills to be an outreach worker, they can help us by sharing resources that can be directed towards the vulnerable population. We need everything that community members need in order to be successful from food to employment to fatherhood and motherhood support.” To get involved, please send an email to the STOP the Violence Office by clicking HERE.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore and Seattle Council President Lorena Gonzalez headed the list of speakers in a ten hour webinar on August 18 and 19, 2021 organized by the Center on Media, Crime and Justice at John Jay College to help journalists and the public gain greater understanding on efforts to address the rising levels of gun violence in at-risk communities.
The series focused on prevention and intervention strategies. Leaders of community intervention strategies and programs in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Sacramento discussed what is and isn’t working in their cities. Pittsburgh’s efforts compare quite favorably with these efforts. 

The webinar consists of seven sessions, each lasting from 30 to 90 minutes. A table of contents is available so you can watch a particular session. Please take a look HERE.
Conflict Resolution Training

If you would like more information on violence prevention and some suggestions on ways to be involved with anti-violence activities, please click on and watch the two-hour training video to the right. This training was conducted in January 2021.

Our outreach teams include violence interrupters, but there are lots of other roles to play. After viewing the training video, please let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to be involved!
Webinar: Mind Always Matters

For more on grief support and mental health, see: Mind Always Matters, a POISE Foundation Community Conversation recorded November 18, 2021 with Jessica Gurley, LCSW and Julius Boatwright, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker).  This 75 minute discussion can be found HERE.
Webinar: How to Heal After a Homicide

For an insightful discussion on healing from trauma and access to resources necessary to heal after a loss, experts Dr. Toya Jones (Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work) and Valerie Dixon (Director of Family and Community Support for the Center for Victims) see the recorded video: How to Heal After a Homicide. This 37 minute video was recorded in January 2022.

Just click below to see the video:

Facts & Stats:

From May 2022

Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to May 31, 2022. These only cover the City, not any areas of Allegheny County which are outside of the City. A few notes can be found after the charts.
City of Pittsburgh Police Zones:
IMPORTANT NOTE:

The Non-fatal shooting incidents reported above includes only incidents, it is not a count of victims. In April, one incident in Zone 1 had a total of 13 non-fatal victims (in addition to 2 people killed).

___________________________________


A few statistics of note:

  • The total number of homicides through June 2022 is 7 more than the number through June 2021 - a 25% increase.
  • The total number of non-fatal shooting incidents through June decreased from 78 in 2021 to 67 in 2022.
  • 13 non-fatal shooting incidents in June is less than the 22 in 2021.
  • There were no homicides in police zone 6 in June.
  • The most homicides in June 2022 were in zone 1 (4 victims).
  • The most non-fatal shooting incidents in 2022 have been in zone 1.

Using a public health approach to violence prevention means attempting to understand the proximate and secondary causes of violence and tailoring solutions to fit the impacted population. There is no one answer.

If you are interested in working to change these statistics and increase the peace in the City of Pittsburgh, please click HERE to contact the STOP the Violence Office.

What will you do to help?


Tip for You:

Keep Valuables Out Of Sight In Your Car!

One of the most frequent crimes in the City of Pittsburgh is thefts from cars. During one week in zone 5 there were 11 such incidents, most of the cars were locked.

Items taken ranged from a phone charger to a wallet to cash to tools to guns.

So, please keep all items with any value out of sight when you are not in your vehicle.








Get Involved in Your Public Safety Council

Your zone's Public Safety Council is a place to go to stay aware of important developments relating to public safety in your police zone. It's also a great place to get to know your local police on a personal basis.

Public Safety Councils are run by residents and are open to all.

The usual meeting schedule is:







For connecting or other information about your Public Safety Council, click on the zone to send an email to the appropriate SaferTogether Coordinator:

Zones 1 & 5: Emily Embrey

Zones 2 & 3: Ian Reynolds

Zones 3 & 6: John Tokarski

Call Us If You Become Aware of a Dispute

If you hear of a school, social media or community dispute that needs to be defused before it leads to violence, please let us know. We would like to take positive steps to resolve such disputes before law enforcement must be called.

Please report any such disputes or issues to: STOP the Violence Office or text to 412-522-7286.

Domestic Violence Help:

Violence is not an acceptable method to resolve issues between friends or partners. If there are threats, please seek help!

When in danger, call 911 immediately.

Some other resources are in the Domestic Violence Resource Guide is reproduced below and can be accessed HERE.
June Poll Responses

Poll #1:
Had you heard of the Pittsburgh Plan for Peace until now?

  • Yes 55%
  • No 45%

Poll #2:
Do you know an organization that should apply for a Community Investment Grant?
  • Yes 48%
  • No 52%

Poll #3:
Have you ever participated in a National Night Out event?

  • Yes 37%
  • No 63%

Poll #4:
Will you consider attending or organizing a National Night Out event this year?

  • Yes 76%
  • No 24%

Poll #5:
Do you think a Stop The Violence telephone hotline would be a good idea?

  • Yes 89%
  • No 11%

Poll #6:
Have you viewed the 2021 Police Annual Statistical Report?

  • Yes 43%
  • No 57%

Poll #7:
Do you think you have a good understanding of crime statistics?

  • Yes 75%
  • No 25%

Poll #8:
Is the STOP the Violence Newsletter too long?

  • Yes 35%
  • No 65%

Thank you for responding.

What can you do to help?

Do You Have Any Ideas?

The Stop the Violence Newsletter is produced monthly by Jay Gilmer, Coordinator of the STOP the Violence Office of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.

Please send any ideas, notices or suggestions to: STOP the Violence Office.
Coming Events

If you want to receive periodic event announcements or are aware of an anti-violence event that is open to the public, please click HERE to send us a notice or announcement. Thank you.
Liz Style
President
Zone 3 Public Safety Council

Zone 3 Public Safety Council

Thursday July 28, 2022
(and every 4th Thursday)
6:00 pm

100% Virtual

To connect click HERE
Zone 1 - Northside Public Safety Council

Thursday August 4, 2022
(and every 1st Thursday)
5:30 pm

In-Person
at Propel Northside -
1805 Buena Vista Street, Pittsburgh 15202

& Virtual
To request virtual connecting info, send an email HERE
Zone 6 (West End Area) ONLY:
Community Resources

If you are aware of an resource that can contribute to violence prevention or reducing the impact of violence, please click HERE to send us a notice or announcement. Thank you.

1-412-330-4328

Offering world-renowned expertise in evaluating and treating children who have experienced traumatic life events or live with post-traumatic stress disorder. A program of Allegheny Health Network.
Center for Victims
Hotline: 1-866-644-2882

Caring, professional staff is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to respond to emergency needs of crime victims and witnesses, answer questions, and provide support. You can also call:

Valerie Dixon at the Center for Victims at 1-412-403-0194 or vdixon@venterforvictims.org.

Darnell Drewery at the Center for Victims at 1-412-758-9237 or ddrewery@centerforvictims.org.
412-661-2802

A Federally Qualified Health Care Center providing a full range of medical, dental, pediatric, prenatal, and behavioral health services including staff therapists and workforce development.  Locations in East Liberty, Lincoln-Lemington and Wilkinsburg. Even if you don’t have insurance, please come.

540 Suismon Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Offering a variety of programs to prevent incarceration, chaplaincy and pre-release to serve individuals in Allegheny County Jail and aftercare to prevent recidivism. For information on their support community for reentering citizens, their families and community members, send an email HERE.

Please call if you need help or want to help:

Adult or Youth Diversion: 412-321-3343
Allegheny County Jail Chaplaincy: 412-350-2057
Allegheny County Jail Pre-Release: 412-350-1322
Jail or Prison Aftercare: 412-321-3343

GriefShare

Numerous Locations
in Allegheny County

GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements: a video lesson, in-person group discussion, and personal reflection.

This weekly group is free (just purchase the workbook online), open to anyone, and is offered in numerous locations in western Pennsylvania. The 13 week series features a video and optional discussion. To be part of the next series starting in early 2022, just find a location and sign up on the website at www.griefshare.org.
Highmark Caring Place

620 Stanwix Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
888-224-4673

As a peer support program, the Caring Place provides an environment where children, teens and adults can receive support from others their own ages who are going through very similar experiences, such as the loss of a parent or other loved one.
Jeremiah’s Place

6435 Frankstown Avenue
15206 (Larimer)
412-924-0726

Pittsburgh’s only crisis nursery. It provides emergency child care services for children ages 0-6 for a few hours or days based on the needs of each individual family. All services provided are free, available for 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Melanin Mommies

Latrice “Phoenix” Rose started Melanin Mommies out of a concern for family members of victims who are affected by grief and trauma. After doing a survey of families who lost someone, she realized that mental health services weren’t always offered to them. Even for those few families that received some counseling resources, they needed more for their families and children because the grief didn’t stop.

Do you need help coping with your loss? Is your child struggling to cope with the loss of a parent or sibling? Please sign up for the next Melanin Mommies Mental Healing Cohort. It will meet for 12 weeks every Saturday at 10:30 am. For more information, see the Melanin Mommies Facebook page or contact Latrice Rose at at Info@melaninmommiespgh.org.
Men’s Huddle Group
 
Paul B. Jones, Sr. experienced the death of his 19 year old son Jeremiah in 2017. He formed The Men’s Huddle Group as a support group for fathers who have lost children to gun violence and otherwise.

The Men’s Huddle Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty (250 Highland Avenue, 15206 – across from Home Depot).
 
For additional information, contact Paul Jones via email at jonzboyz@aol.com or call anytime (24/7) at 412-613-1912.
The MOMS Group
Support For Mothers

Tina Ford of Clairton formed Mothers of Murdered Sons (The MOMS Group) after the loss of her son in 2019.

The MOMS Group meets in Clairton on the third Saturday of each month. All are welcome, just call Tina in advance for the location. If transportation is a problem, just call Tina – MOMS sometimes arranges transportation or makes home visits to provide support.
 
For more information, see the MOMS Group Facebook page HERE or contact Tina Ford at 412-219-7157 or Momsgroup2020@gmail.com..
412-261-1234
 
The Trauma Response Team cares for the acute needs of family and friends of homicide victims of gun violence across all of Allegheny County.

Dan Emerick, MDiv, MSW – Trauma Response Team Manager
Other:

  • Alma Illery Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services Office:
412-244-4700
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s 24 hour Helpline:
1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741
  • City of Pittsburgh Dept. of Public Safety’s Victims of Crime Office:
412-707-2988
  • Dr. Staci Ford: 412-277-4616
  • Jessica Gurley, LCSW: (412) 204-6934
  •  RESOLVE Crisis Center - 24 hours: 1-888-796-8226
Teen Dating Violence

Since one in three teens is a victim of teen dating violence, you probably know someone who has been a victim.

Click HERE for resources on teen dating violence. Click on the picture for a Teen Dating Violence Action Action Guide.
Poll #5: Do you worry about crime?
Yes
No
Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter