Happy Birthday to Gemma!

November 1^st marked seven years since Gemma Services was formed by the merger of Silver Springs - Martin Luther School and theVillage, two organizations whose roots stretch back to the 1800s in Philadelphia.

Seven years later, Gemma proudly carries that remarkable legacy forward, walking alongside youth and families through life's challenges and helping them experience hope, opportunity, and belonging.

We invite you to explore the Gemma website to learn more about our organization's history, programs, and impact, and follow our social media channels, listed at the bottom of this message, to see Gemma's mission in action every day.

With your support, Gemma is able to accompany thousands of children, youth, and families through life's challenges each year, so they know how much they matter!

Thank you for all the ways you help bring Gemma's mission to life!

Support Gemma this

In honor of this year's Giving Tuesday, the International Day of Generosity, we hope you will support Gemma Services with a gift to help build an outdoor athletic facility on our new Martin Luther School campus in Whitemarsh!

Thank you to everyone who is already supporting our capital campaign to create the fantastic new school campus! Phase 2 of our campaign will focus on raising funds for the new sports facility to include a track, multi-sport turf field, and ample seating for spectators to cheer on our Panther student-athletes.

Along with the gymnasium currently under construction on the campus, these spaces will expand opportunities for health, physical education, and student wellness. Your gift will fuel the growth of our athletics program and create more opportunities for students to compete, grow, and excel.

Gemma has received two state grants totaling $500,000 toward the sports facility, and our Giving Tuesday goal is to raise $25,000 toward the required fundraising match.

Please click here to learn more about the campaign and this project. Contact us to learn more. We would love to talk with you!

Thank you for helping Gemma create an exceptional

school campus for our students.

Because they matter!

Our Mission in Action

Recent examples of Gemma’s mission in action throughout our organization!

Fall Festivities in the Residential Program

Costumes, treats, and plenty of smiles made for a fun afternoon for children and teens participating in Gemma's Residential Treatment Program! For the Halloween holiday, they dressed up in their favorite costumes and visited various locations around the Plymouth Meeting campus, collecting treats and goodies along the way. Lots of creativity was on display during this fun-filled afternoon with friends!

To learn more about our Residential Treatment Program, please click here.

National Adoption Awareness Month

This National Adoption Awareness Month, we celebrate the dedication of Gemma's Adoption and Permanency Program team in walking alongside children and families on their journey to make sure they know how much they matter!

One example of the impact of their work is the adoption of a young woman approaching her 21^st birthday who recently became part of her forever family. Although no longer a child, she still longed for the permanence and sense of belonging of having a family to call her own. That hope was shared by her new family and, together, they found what they had been seeking in one another. It's a joyful outcome brought to life though the Gemma team's steadfast commitment and hard work to help children and families build lasting connections.

To learn more about the Adoption and Permanency Program, and how they accompany youth and families through life's challenges, please click here.

Celebrating Our MLS Student Athletes!

It has been an exciting fall sports season at Martin Luther School - Whitemarsh! Our student athletes have been showing their skills and Panther Pride while competing against other schools in cross-country, flag football, and soccer through the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and Penn-Jersey Athletic Association.

We are proud of their hard work, dedication, and teamwork! Congratulations to our Panther student athletes!

To learn more about athletics at Martin Luther School, click here. To support our growing athletics program, please click here.

Thank You for Supporting

Families This Holiday Season!

We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our community in response to our Everything but the Turkey collection! Because of your generosity, more than 200 families will have received the fixings they need to prepare and enjoy a special holiday meal together!

As we look ahead to the December holidays, there's another way to share joy with children and families at Gemma!

Our holiday gift collection is underway! Your generosity can help make the season brighter for hundreds of children and youth participating in Gemma's programs this year.

View the list of gifts we are collecting to guide your purchases or shop our Amazon Wish List to have items sent directly to Gemma.

Thank you for bringing a little holiday magic to a child and

helping ensure they know how much they matter!

*Note: deliveries are to our Plymouth Meeting location by appointment. Please email us if you'd like to schedule a time!

Chefs for Gemma 2027

Our 19^th annual Chefs for Gemma benefit will be here before we know it! This special evening will feature Chef Evan Snyder of Philadelphia's acclaimed Emmett and soon-to-open new restaurant, Jean.

Guests will enjoy a delicious meal designed and presented by Chef Snyder, exciting auction items, and an inspiring program highlighting the children, youth, and families Gemma is honored to accompany through life's challenges each year.  

Mark your calendar: Friday, April 2, 2027

Tickets and sponsorships are now available! Sponsorship opportunities include tickets and recognition benefits, and discounted early bird ticket pricing is available through December 31^st.

Visit the Chefs for Gemma website to learn more and grab your seat at the table before this special evening sells out!

We hope to see you at Chefs!

About Gemma Services

About Martin Luther School

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Gemma Services Social Media

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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.