Congratulations,

MLS Class of 2026!

With pride and excitement, the Martin Luther School community – students, families, faculty, and staff – gathered today to celebrate our 12^th graders graduating from high school and our 8^th graders as they become high schoolers!

Pennsylvania State Representative, Greg Scott, shared reflections and advice with the students: "To the class of 2026, you should be proud of yourself. Today is a reminder that you are stronger than many people might have thought. You are here because you kept going. That is called grit and it will take you far in life. Today, we celebrate you and tomorrow, get back to work, stay hungry, stay focused, and never stop becoming the person you believe you can be."

Eva Morrison, Ed.D., Head of Martin Luther School and Vice President of Education, also shared remarks with the students: “To the graduating class of 2026, you’re going off to an amazing future. You are going to college, to jobs, to trade schools, to the military, and other adventures. Congratulations on these achievements! You are our legacy, and we are yours. The next chapter of your lives is beginning today, and we will be cheering for you!" 

We are excited for what is ahead for the graduates and look forward to accompanying our new 9^th graders on their high school journey beginning in September!

To learn more about Martin Luther School, please visit our website here.

A Library for the Residential Treatment Program

Our Residential Treatment Program's new Little Library provides a calming outdoor space for youth to pause, reset, and recharge. Designed to support emotional wellness, the Little Library is positioned in the shade next to a bench and offers books, sensory items such as fidget spinners and stress balls, and quiet activities like bird watching for kids who may need a break or a moment to regroup.

To learn more about our Residential Treatment Program or to make a donation to support the youth we are honored to accompany, please visit www.gemmaservices.org.

Save the Date:

Chefs for Gemma 2027

featuring

Chef Evan Snyder!

We are thrilled to share some delicious news! Our guest chef for the 19^th annual Chefs for Gemma benefit will be the talented Chef Evan Snyder of Philadelphia's acclaimed restaurant Emmett.

The restaurant has garnered many accolades since opening a year ago, including landing in the sixth spot on Philadelphia Magazine's 50 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia in 2026 list and being named a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant, with winners being announced this month!

Chef Snyder joins a long list of incredible chefs who have headlined past Chefs events, including Alex Kemp of My Loup, Eli Collins of a.kitchen + bar, Randy Rucker of River Twice and Little Water, Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club, Chad Williams of Friday Saturday Sunday, Nicholas Elmi of Lark and Landing Kitchen, Greg Vernick of Vernick Food & Drink, Vernick Fish, and Emilia, Joey Baldino of Palizzi Social Club, Bomb Bomb Bar, and Zeppoli, Michael Solomonov of Zahav, and many others.

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 2, 2027 for another evening of good food, fun, and friendship to support Gemma's mission and programs that accompany thousands of youth and families each year through challenging times. Discounted early bird tickets will go on sale this fall. Watch for details to come!

Ways to Help!

Support Enriching Activities 
for Children in Foster Care

Every child deserves to experience enriching and fun activities – during the summer and all year long! Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Gemma can provide funding for children and teens in foster care to access recreational activities and camp experiences during the summer and throughout the year.

You can help make these opportunities possible by donating to Gemma's Campership Fund. To make a gift, please click here.

Your generosity will help kids create meaningful lifetime memories!

Prepare Students for Success

Join Gemma in giving hundreds of Philly-area students the boost they need to begin the year ready for success!

From July 13 - August 7, we will be collecting new backpacks filled with school supplies for youth participating in Gemma's programs and who live in the communities where we provide services.

If you would like to join this effort, you can donate a backpack with folders, notebooks, pencils, and more. For a full list of the items we are collecting or a printable flyer, please click here.

To schedule your delivery, please email volunteer@gemmaservices.org.

If you would like to make a financial contribution toward this effort, please click here.

Thank you for helping students know they matter!

About Gemma | Our Impact | Contact Us | Donate

Gemma Services

Martin Luther School

Gemma Services is a 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID #23-2310084; corporate name as of January 1, 2024 is Gemma Services. Please note: the organization’s former corporate name prior to this date was Silver Springs-Martin Luther School.