PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — When her son was shot and killed in Philadelphia two years ago, Michelle Parker’s world was turned upside down.
“I will never ever be the same,” she said, “but I cannot stay silent when it comes to gun violence.”
There are hundreds of victims like Parker’s son, and that drive to bring an end to the violence is fueling Corners to Connection, a 30-day gun violence interruption initiative. Local pastors, mentors and partner advocates are taking to the streets of Philadelphia every night between 9 and 11 for the entire month of June — which is Gun Violence Awareness Month — to engage with people and offer them guidance, work opportunities and council.
The initiative is in its fourth round, and lead organizer Rev. G. Lamar Stewart, of Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, said it is definitely making an impact.
“I was walking across right here at Germantown and Butler, and a young man who got a job back in February told his friend. And when his friend saw me crossing the street, he said, ‘Can I talk to you real quick, I need employment,’” he recalled.
The group previously centered outreach in Nicetown-Tioga, Northwest Philadelphia and North Philadelphia, but it is expanding to include West and Southwest Philadelphia.
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Stewart said the program has five pillars: healing, hiring, harmony, housing and hope.
“Our goal is to go to the corners and corridors where individuals may be standing and connect them to an alternative to that violence through one of those pillars,” he said.
“No one wants to wake up and feel like they’re going to lose their life,” added Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, who has also joined the initiative. “All they are waking up to is wondering if today will be their last day. We are here to say: We’re here to help you. You are not another one lost.”
Corners to Connection now has more employment partners. The Black Doctors Consortium is also offering physical and behavioral health support.
The 30-night initiative will also include an employment and wellness fair, a Father’s Day peace march and a “community revival.”
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