Get Involved

No matter what neighborhood you live in, you can help fight violence. Your time and talents are invaluable. Here are a few ideas about how to collaborate in making a safer Philadelphia. The Blueprint Campaign can find things for you to do in the time that you have available, and we’ll give you all the support you need to get involved.

Learn more about the issue of youth violence—and how we can prevent it

• Host a community forum on violence at your organization or institution – the Blueprint campaign will provide the speakers and you provide the people!  Learn more about youth violence issues in our community and what you can do to help.

Engage in advocacy

• Advocate on the city, state and federal levels for policies and programs that can prevent violence "on the front end". Support better education and more jobs, along with funding for after-school and summer enrichment programs.

• Share your concerns with policymakers and public officials. Demand that they make violence prevention the #1 priority .

• Contact the media to tell them that ending youth violence is important to you, and to other viewers and listeners.

• Help us promote the good things that young people in Philadelphia are doing. Nominate positive youth for the GreatVine.

Offer employment to local youth and young adults

• Provide summer jobs and internships to inner city youth and young adults. Keep them off the streets, improve their life chances, and strengthen the local economy. Contact WorkReady Philadelphia to find out how.

Volunteer your time and talents

• Volunteer with a local community-based or non-profit organization to learn more about violence prevention and to provide direct services to local youth and families.

• Be a mentor

• Help with a reading/literacy class one afternoon a week or on the weekend.

• Take kids to a ball game or do some coaching.

Make donations or raise money

• Support programs that encourage education and positive conflict resolution.

• Sponsor, organize or participate in fundraising drives and events for local agencies and CBO’s (Community Based Organizations) that are doing effective violence prevention work.

• Make a donation to a local CBO or other non-profit groups working to prevent violence or to support its victims.

• Sponsor a dance or drill team or a team in a youth athletic league. These activities provide an alternative to the streets and give young people something constructive to do. Plus, they teach essential skills like working with others toward a common goal, discipline and responsibility, all while building self-esteem.

Volunteers Needed

The organizations below are accepting volunteers, so Take Control, Take a Role! Contact any of the organizations listed below to learn about their process and requirements for volunteering. Continue to check back regularly because we will add more organizations to the list as we learn about their volunteer needs.   

After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP)                                    
230 S. Broad Street
Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-545-3070
Website: www.phillyasap.org

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania
123 S. Broad Street
Suite 2180
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-790-9200
Website : www.bbbssepa.org

Byron Story Foundation
1646 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-769-8544
Website: www.byronstoryfnd.com

Student Anti-Violence Education (SAVE)
633 West Rittenhouse Street
Suite C-12
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-438-9070
Website :www.avpphila.org/

The Village of Arts & Humanities
2544 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19133
215-225-3949
Website: www.villagearts.org

Philly Koinonia Ministries
908 Allen Drive
Lansdowne, PA 19050
Website: www.PhillyKoinonia.org
Email: info@phillykoinonia.org

Looking for volunteers for youth basketball program.

The Peace Academy
704 North 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-765-3771
Email: kayb.psr@verizon.net

Looking for caring adults with experience working with urban teens in a group setting.