A Tribute to Fatherhood: Present and Remembered

This Father’s Day, we pause to honor the fathers, father figures, and mentors who have shaped our lives with strength, love, and guidance. At CDVS, we recognize not only the dads who are physically present, but also those whose memory continues to guide and inspire us. Whether showing up every day or watching over us from beyond, their impact is lasting. We also acknowledge the complex emotions this season may bring for those who are grieving, healing, or navigating absence. This season and always, your feelings are valid, and your experiences are seen. Here's to the men, past and present, who remind us what it means to lead with heart.

3rd Grassroots Leaders Mini Summit Recap!

Our 3rd Grassroots Leaders Mini Summit, powered by the 37th Ward Communities That Care Coalition, was a huge success! We came together for a day filled with impactful workshops, powerful networking, and community-driven conversations all focused on uplifting and supporting our grassroots leaders.

This year’s summit was even more meaningful as we proudly wore orange in honor of Wear Orange Day during Gun Violence Awareness Month, standing united for safer communities.

Big love to the incredible collaborators:

Communities That Care (CTC)

Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center for generously hosting us

Project HOME and Brown’s ShopRite/Fresh Grocer for fueling us with delicious food & beverages!

It truly takes a village, and this summit showed the power of what happens when we come together with purpose.

Be a part of our

Community Healing Library!

We’re thrilled to announce the start of our survivor book shelf! Over the next few weeks, we’re gathering book titles that focus on trauma, healing, empowerment, and grief to create a resourceful library for our clients and community. We aim to open this space as a place for growth, reflection, and connection.

We are accepting new and used book donations at our main office located at 1538 Cecil B. Moore. If you have a book that inspired you, consider sharing it with others on their healing journey! For more details, scan the QR code on the flyer.

We have already started getting donations so let’s continue to create a space where stories inspire and empower.

We are on the MOVE!

We've actively engaged with the community through informative tabling events, providing valuable resources on victim services and youth crime prevention. Check out the images below to see where we've been.

CDVS and the 37th Ward Communities That Care of North Philadelphia took a powerful trip to the Pennsylvania Capitol for the PA Youth Summit! Eleven students proudly joined youth from across the state to speak with elected officials, share their voices, and define what prevention means to them. It was a day full of connection, courage, and community. We’re so proud to support the next generation of leaders as they boldly step into their power.

Our Director of Prevention was invited to this amazing event. Joyful Readers partners with schools across Philly to help students become strong, successful readers. The Young Reader of the Year Awards shine a light on the brilliance of our youth because every child deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated!

It was an honor to attend the Educate Philly Luncheon hosted by the Philadelphia Education Fund. From inspiring conversations led by Dr. Watlington of the School District of Philadelphia to powerful insights from Farrah Jimenez, President & CEO of PEF, this event highlighted the true power of education, equity, and community.

CDVS was present at the Lemon Hill Prayer Vigil, standing in solidarity with the community. Our Director of Victim Services and Director of Prevention represented CDVS as we continue to support those impacted by violence with resources, healing, and hope. 

Honored to be present as Temple Health hosted their Trauma Survivors Day event. Our Director of Victim Services showed up in support of those impacted by trauma creating space to connect, share stories, and continue learning how to better serve our communities. 

CTC and PATH

Empowering Communities, Transforming Lives:

Be Part of the Change! 

37th Ward Communities That Care Coalition (CTC) of North Philadelphia is at the forefront of a community-based approach to preventing and addressing various social issues, especially those related to youth development and well-being. CTC is not just a program; it's a collaborative system that involves diverse stakeholders, including parents, schools, law enforcement, businesses, and social service agencies, working together to create a comprehensive strategy for positive outcomes. 

Key Elements of the Communities That Care Model: 

1. Community Mobilization: Unite with us to address local issues collaboratively. We bring together the strength of our community members, organizations, and agencies. 
2. Data-Driven Decision Making: We prioritize using data to identify and address specific risk and protective factors. Local challenges are understood through careful analysis of community data. 
3. Effective Programs and Policies: Our approach involves selecting evidence-based programs and policies that target identified risk factors, ranging from parenting programs to community policing initiatives. 
4. Implementation and Evaluation: We ensure chosen programs and policies are effectively implemented, assessing their impact through ongoing evaluation. Continuous improvement is our commitment. 
5. Sustainability: Establishing mechanisms for long-term sustainability is crucial. This involves securing funding, maintaining community engagement, and fostering a culture of prevention. 

Join Our Coalition: Be part of this transformative journey! To join our coalition and contribute to creating a healthier and safer environment, contact Ericka Gaines, Director of CTC and Prevention Programs at egaines@cdvservices.org or the CTC Chairs:

Reverend Clarence Hester, Pastor of Erie Street Baptist Church

Email: revhes@gmail.com

Clarence Nelson, Deacon of Love Zion Baptist Church

Email: cgnelson51@verizon.net

Our PATH program’s goal is to reduce or prevent violence in the Strawberry Mansion and Kensington communities by building resilience in families of youth ages 14-24. We would like to partner with schools and youth serving organizations within Strawberry Mansion and Kensington. For more information about PATH or if your organization or school would like to become a PATH Partner, please contact Ericka Gaines at egaines@cdvservices.org. 

Let's build a stronger, safer, and more connected community together! 

PATH conducted end-of-year check-ins with our students at Multicultural High School. They are ensuring the students are supported with ongoing engagement, resources, and pro-social activities. PATH also had the opportunity to connect with rising freshmen and their families at Ben Franklin High School’s resource event, helping them start their high school journey with the tools they need to thrive.

PATH is committed to showing up, staying consistent, and building connections that last. 

Our PATH Program, in partnership with North Philadelphia Project, came together to celebrate the power and progress of our youth! The rain didn’t stop us because we showed up with food, music, games, awards, and LOTS of love. Prevention isn’t just a moment, it’s a movement.

Our PATH Team attended the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance 2025 Conference!

It was a powerful gathering filled with professional development, collaboration, and purpose-driven networking to uplift and support those leading the way in prevention work. Special congratulations to Ericka Gaines on receiving the Legacy in Prevention Award. It was a well-deserved honor for a true trailblazer in the field. 

Rooted in Resilience: Blooming Through Every Season

June marks the halfway point of the year, a time when we often pause to reflect on how far we’ve come and where we’re headed. This month, in our Women on the Rise section, we’re celebrating the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up, even when life doesn’t look or feel easy. For many women, especially those who’ve experienced trauma, grief, or major life transitions, healing doesn’t happen all at once, it happens in seasons.



Just like flowers don’t bloom all year long, we’re not always in a season of growth. Sometimes we’re resting. Sometimes we’re rebuilding. But no matter where you are in your journey, know that you are still rising. Your ability to keep going, to care for others while trying to care for yourself, and to remain rooted in who you are: that’s what resilience looks like.

This month, we honor the women who are blooming in their own time, in their own way. Whether you’re healing out loud or holding it all together in silence, you are seen, you are powerful, and you are not alone.

June is

Gun Violence Awareness Month

At Central Division Victim Services, we stand in solidarity with communities across Philadelphia and beyond during Gun Violence Awareness Month. In a city where gun violence continues to impact countless lives, we are reminded daily of the urgent need for healing, accountability, and change.

Gun violence doesn’t just take lives, it breaks up families, severs relationships, and leaves lasting emotional wounds. Every bullet fired echoes through homes, schools, and neighborhoods, often leaving behind trauma that lasts for generations. This month, and every month, we remain committed to spreading love, not bullets, uplifting survivors, supporting families, and working to build safer, more compassionate communities. Let’s continue to raise our voices, wear orange in unity, and work together to prevent violence before it starts.

June is

Pride Month

At Central Division Victim Services, we proudly recognize Pride Month and stand in unwavering support of our LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month, celebrated every June, honors the history, struggles, and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals rooted in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that sparked a movement for equal rights. Everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported in their identities, relationships, and neighborhoods.

We recognize that LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique challenges when seeking support after experiencing violence or trauma. That’s why CDVS is committed to providing affirming, inclusive, and confidential services to all survivors, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. This Pride Month, we celebrate resilience, honor lived experiences, and continue working toward a future where love is safe, identities are respected, and healing is accessible to all.

June is

Men's Health Awareness Month

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique challenges men face when it comes to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In a world that often teaches men to suppress their feelings and “push through” the pain, we must shift the narrative. True strength lies in being honest about your struggles and taking steps toward healing.

Men are fathers, brothers, partners, leaders, protectors and most importantly, human. They experience trauma, stress, grief, and emotional pain just like anyone else. Yet many suffer in silence due to stigma, fear, or a lack of safe spaces to seek help. At Central Division Victim Services, we recognize these challenges and want every man to know: you are not alone. Whether you're navigating violence, loss, life transitions, or mental health concerns, CDVS is here to listen, support, and connect you with resources that prioritize your wellness and dignity.

This month, we encourage men to take a moment to check in with themselves not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. Ask yourself: How am I really doing? What do I need? It’s not a weakness to ask for help; it’s a courageous first step toward living a fuller, healthier life. Let’s continue to uplift the men in our communities and remind them that they deserve care, healing, and support too.

June is

PTSD Awareness Month

June is recognized as PTSD Awareness Month, a time to deepen our understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder and the lasting impact that trauma can have on individuals, families, and entire communities. At Central Division Victim Services, we know that trauma doesn’t always look the same, and grief doesn’t always have a timeline. Many of us carry invisible wounds from violence, loss, abuse, or even the day-to-day weight of surviving in an unpredictable world.

PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced deep emotional harm, especially in communities where violence is far too common. PTSD can show up as anxiety, anger, detachment, nightmares, emotional numbness, or feeling constantly on edge. It affects how we connect, how we cope, and how we move through the world. But there is hope. Healing is possible, and help is available. At CDVS, we are committed to supporting survivors of trauma and grief by providing access to resources, compassionate listening, and safe spaces to begin the journey toward healing. You are not alone, and your experience is valid.

This month, we encourage everyone to approach themselves and others with empathy because we never know what someone is carrying. Let’s continue to break the stigma, raise awareness, and remind each other that healing is not only possible, it’s your right.

Police for People

Walking escorts are available to accompany individuals to locations within Temple University's patrol boundaries. Escorts are security bike officers that maintain communication with Temple Police. Escort service is available daily. Below are the instructions to request an escort. Everyone please be safe.

22nd Police District had a day in Fotterall Square with the kids from Hope Partnership for Education. They played Double Dutch and even got in some games of tug of war with one another. Just a great way to showcase teamwork.

The 22nd Police District recently hosted their monthly Breakfast with a Cop, bringing together officers and community members for meaningful connection over a warm meal. PDAC was proudly in the building, lending a hand and helping to serve and support the community with care and unity. 

The 22nd District took their community members on a powerful and inspiring trip to the Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May. It was a meaningful experience to walk through history together, reflect on Tubman’s legacy, and deepen our connection as a community. 

Temple Public Safety, Football, and Crew teamed up to help revitalize the Duckrey Elementary School playground.