AVP Launches Campaign For Children

This fall AVP is launching a campaign to build awareness and raise money for the organization's programs that provide critical services for the growing needs of children in our community. Recent articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer have highlighted the staggering incidence of violent behavior in local schools. Our schools, which should be havens of peace and learning, are frightening places for too many Philadelphia children; this seriously interferes with their ability to learn and succeed. In fact, the state has designated 25 local schools as "persistently dangerous".

There is an existential crisis facing our city's children. Drastic cuts in state funding to secondary schools will only exacerbate the problem. With less than one counselor for 400 students, schools will not have the resources to help children learn to solve problems without resorting to violence or to identify and help children who have suffered violence-related trauma.

For over 20 years, AVP has implemented programs to assist children avoid violence and recover from the pain of their trauma.

Student Anti-Violence Education (SAVE) provides children with the skills they need to identify and choose non-violent means of resolving conflicts. They learn valuable skills to help them manage conflict, such as how to communicate effectively, how to manage anger and how to respond to peer pressure. During the last school year, SAVE reached over 800 students in elementary, middle and high schools in urban Philadelphia communities.

The Counseling Center serves children and adolescents who have been exposed to violence through a variety of support and counseling services including individual therapy, family therapy and support groups. These services take place at our offices and at local schools throughout Philadelphia. Last year 75 children received therapeutic services at our main office, and over 50 adolescents received individual and group counseling at Overbrook High School. AVP Counseling Center therapists help children and adolescents deal with violence so that they are able to achieve at their full potential. All of AVP's services are provided free of charge to our clients.

AVP's Campaign for Children needs support from people like you to help us HELP THEM.