Gemma Services is Staying Strong!
Gemma Services is committed to continuing to provide crucial support and services for children, youth, and families who need us now more than ever. We have made several adjustments to our programs and are providing many services remotely via tele-health and online platforms. Some face-to-face, essential services continue. For details about our current services, please click here .
Gemma: Where Hope Shines. O ur dedicated staff members are finding new and innovative ways to support those we serve. "Our" children, youth, and families continue to inspire us as they adapt to the “new normal.” We share here some examples of how hope shines at Gemma Services even during these tough times.
Staff in our Residential Treatment Programs, in addition to continuing to help children and youth work toward their goals, are also finding creative ways to keep them engaged and smiling. Examples include a recent fashion show in Rosemont and creative arts programming including dance and art therapy as well. Shown above is an uplifting chalk drawing from a recent sunny afternoon outside. Children in residence in Plymouth Meeting have been taking virtual field trips to places like the Arctic to learn about polar bears and have had lots of time for enjoying drawing and creative arts, too!
Little girl is typing on laptop that stands on table where there are sheets of graphic drawings. Child psychology. Children s test with psychologist.
Therapists in our Outpatient Program have also gotten creative during online or tele-health sessions. Examples include playing a board game of "Girl Power" and even baking a cake during a video session. One child was so excited to see her therapist over the phone that she grinned ear-to-ear and exclaimed, "You're the best therapist in the whole world!"
While the Out of School Time (OST) Program is temporarily closed, staff continue to support children as well by providing them resources such as online worksheets and activities to stay engaged during the school closure. Here’s a picture of one of the children smiling after finishing his school assignment for the day. 
Staff at Martin Luther School have shifted their classes to online learning and have been finding fun ways to keep students engaged remotely. Virtual art classes are being conducted with guided lessons. And, for “Thankful Thursday,” one group of students drew pictures of something or someone they are thankful for. One kindergartner shared this drawing showing appreciation for medical providers.
How You Can Help.  We have heard from many of you asking how you can help our kids and families, our staff, and Gemma. We can only predict so well what we may need in the coming days, but here are things we know will support our work at this time. We appreciate anything you can contribute to help Gemma respond to urgent needs as they arise.

Ways you can help today include:
  • Purchase an item from our Current Needs Wish List on Amazon to help us respond to COVID-19 as needed. The wish list also includes fun items to engage our residential children and youth during this time.


  • Make an unrestricted financial donation. These funds will give Gemma the flexibility to respond to our most pressing needs and those of the children and families we serve. The recently-passed CARES Act includes changes to deductions for charitable contributions. Please click here to read more.

  • Send us a video or selfie with a message of encouragement for the children and families we serve or for our incredibly dedicated Gemma staff. You can video yourself or take a selfie holding a sign with a message of hope! Send your picture or video to [email protected].

Thank you for supporting our children, families, and organization at this unique and challenging time, and best wishes to you as well!
Arts Works 2020 Update. We have made the difficult decision to cancel our Art Works event scheduled for May 13 th . The safety and well-being of everyone who had planned to join us was of utmost priority as we considered the options. If you have purchased sponsorships or tickets, you may transfer those to our Chefs event scheduled for November 6 th , convert your purchase into an unrestricted donation (100% tax deductible as allowed by law), or request a refund. Thank you for considering these options. Please contact us at [email protected] with your preference or any questions, if you have not already. Thank you for your support of Art Works and Gemma Services. We hope to see you at Chefs !
Gemma Services, formed by the merger of theVillage and Silver Springs-Martin Luther School, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (Tax ID# 23-2310084).