This story has been recently updated to provide the current gun violence statistics.
As gun violence continues to plague Philadelphia, it is children who increasingly find themselves as the target. In the last year alone, 220 kids under the age of 18 have been shot in Philadelphia, which is a 10 percent uptick from the previous year. As of December 15, 2023, there have been 363 fatal and 1,256 non-fatal shootings in the city.
To help, Chestnut Hill Rotary provided funding for seven youths to attend the La Salle University’s Summer STEM Enrichment Camp with a strong conflict resolution component led by Reverend Linda, J. Ivey, MSW.
Chestnut Hill Rotary President Andy Sears (r) presents check to Tom Volkert and Reverend Linda J. Ivey at club meeting.
“We are so grateful for Chestnut Hill Rotary’s support of this summer program,” said Reverend Ivey, leader of the Germantown Faith Communities Against Gun Violence. Ivey, a member of the clergy currently serving at Ebenezer Baptist Church attended the recent club meeting to receive the check along with Tom Volkert, a social justice advocate with the St. Vincent De Paul Roman Catholic Church in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia.
“We all feel helpless to stop the gun violence on our street,” said club President, Andy Sears. “But by supporting Rev. Ivey and the Germantown Faith Community Against Gun Violence, our club has the opportunity to participate in one hopeful solution.”
The ”Winning at Conflict Resolution” component will focus on equipping youth to find peaceful ways to deal with conflict by understanding triggers and memories, improving emotional intelligence, and connect with others through empathy.
The three-week STEM Summer Enrichment Camp provides engaging and integrated learning experiences in math, science, technology, media, foreign languages, engineering, language arts, and social studies.
“The rise in gun violence among our at-risk teenagers is both frustrating and heartbreaking, When we hear about a program that might make even a small impact on the problem, we enthusiastically want to support that effort! ”
Funding was provided the Chestnut Hill Rotary Foundation, an individual donation, and a matching emergency grant from the Rotary District 7450 Gundaker Foundation. The children, ages 8-13, will be selected by Reverend Ivey’s group.
“Reverend Ivey and Tom Volkert both represent religious congregations that care deeply about the people they work with and serve,” said Chestnut Hill Rotary member Frank Hollick. “They are outstanding examples of the fact that no matter how we differ in our faith beliefs we must come together for the safety and service of all. It really does take a village.”
The rise in gun violence among our at-risk teenagers is both frustrating and heartbreaking, said Maggie Stoeffel, President, Chestnut Hill Rotary Foundation. “When we hear about a program that might make even a small impact on the problem, we enthusiastically want to support that effort!”
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Find out how you can become a member of the Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill or make a donation to the Chestnut Hill Rotary Foundation.
