Penn Community Violence Prevention
Our dedicated team has one thing on their minds…
saving lives.
About Penn Community Violence Prevention (PCVP)
In line with the slogan of the Penn Injury Science Center, the Penn Community Violence Prevention (PCVP) team provides trauma-informed violence interruption services to youth and young adults in West and Southwest Philadelphia, with the goal to stop it before it happens, fix it before it gets worse, and help individuals and communities live on to see the next chapter of Philadelphia without gun violence…
PCVP is the first program of its kind at Penn, in partnership with the first hospital-based violence intervention program at Penn (the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program). Together they bring Penn into position to have a direct impact on the violence epidemic in Philadelphia. See other programs within the Community Violence Intervention Hub.
Listen to our team’s stories from the Penn Medicine Listening Lab
Hurt People Heal
Khalif Mujahid Ali
To Give Them Hope
Elijah Tadlock
What we do
We are building relationships and trust with the West and Southwest Philadelphia communities at local events, such as food and resource drives.
We are connecting with local schools – students, teachers, and administrators – to prevent and reduce the impacts of gun violence on the youth.
We show up – to the locations after a shootings take place, to make it clear that this is where people live, not where people die.
We will soon manage a caseload of at-risk youth to interrupt the cycle of gun violence and provide personal development opportunities.
News from the Penn Community Violence Prevention program
We Do Know How to Curb Gun Violence
The executive director of PHILLY TRUCE, a community partner of the Penn Community Violence Prevention program, wrote an op-ed on their program’s success in reducing gun violence and the lack of recognition and support that is all too common for community-based organizations.
School Program Aims to Lower Gun Violence in Philadelphia
A program led by the School District of Philadelphia is partnering with the Penn Community Violence Prevention program to reduce gun violence at John Bartram High School. Supported by OJJDP, the initiative will include crisis intervention, case management, and mediation. “The goal is to help students transition to positive lifestyles,” said Denise Johnson. More services include counseling, academic support, and employment assistance. Read more.
Khalif Mujahid Ali’s legacy
A powerful voice in the violence prevention world of Philadelphia was lost with the recent passing of Khalif Mujahid Ali. The Penn Community Violence Prevention team aims to carry on the legacy of one of its founding members and Khalif’s longtime partners look to continue his Beloved Care Project.
Listen to Khalif’s story at the Penn Medicine Listening Lab.
Denise Johnson recognized as Difference Maker
| Denise Johnson was featured in Penn Today and named a difference maker in the Penn Medicine News for her role as the bridge between the street outreach Penn Community Violence Prevention program and the hospital-based Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program. |
Meet the Team
Andre Ali Martin
Outreach Worker | andre.martin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“I want to make a difference in people’s lives, especially children. Muhammad Ali once said, service to others is the rent we pay on this Earth. That is what I strive to do, be of service to others.”
Elijah Tadlock
Outreach Worker | elijah.tadlock@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
“I wanted to join this team to make a difference in my community. I feel I can really save lives here.”
Denise Johnson, MSW
Program Manager
Sara Solomon, MPH, RD
Program Director
Contact Penn Community Violence Prevention
This contact form sends an email to our team. If this is an emergency, please contact 911.
Send us a message above or call us 215.746.0149
This phone number goes to our office, and the messages to go our emails – we may be in the field or away from our desks.
IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CONTACT 911.