Among those who have responded positively to the group’s message after experiencing gun violence is 22-year-old Isaiah Stanton.
According to Stanton, the gun was purchased “just for my safety. Not only for me but also for my family — you know, going about it in the right way, getting a license,” Stanton told NBC News. “And also actually exercising my Second Amendment right.”
Participants were educated on using gun locks and safes, safety gear, and de-escalation techniques at the workshop.
According to Karise Crew, the group wants to avoid pathologizing victims of gun violence, and she argued that they need to be cared for.
“We can say it’s gun violence, but we’re missing the point, and we’re not having conversations, and we’re not loving them, and we’re not being there for them the way we should be as a humanity, as people,” Karise told NBC News.
Her husband, Jarel, told the outlet that proper gun education is important but noted that it will not necessarily end gun violence completely.
“I believe that we can make a difference, and we can make a change in the community by being educated, Jarel said before continuing: “Criminals will always have access to firearms. If you get rid of your firearm, then God forbid, if you had to defend your life or your family, how would you be able to do that?”
In addition to that group, 31 other groups are scheduled to receive microgrants to continue addressing the root causes of Philadelphia’s gun violence.
According to a statement from Krasner in a press release announcing the grants, “While we continue to see a truly historic decline in gun violence nationally and in Philadelphia, we can’t let our foot off of the gas,” Krasner said. “That’s why my administration is thrilled to continue helping community-based groups that have contributed largely to this drop in violence. Through ongoing violence prevention and modern law enforcement efforts, we will curb violent crime even more.”
According to Keri Salerno, the executive director of Uplift Center for Grieving Children, the money allows her organization to continue offering free services.
“The ability to process those emotions is incredibly difficult,” Salerno told WHYY. “Especially if you’re in some of our more challenged communities.”
Salerno continued, “It’s grants like the ones we just got from the district attorney’s office that help make these services free. The more dollars, the more grief groups that we can host. It’s a sign that people are understanding that grief work and mental health work is violence prevention, and that is very important.”
Source: Black Enterprise
