Communities That Care

WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?

Communities That Care (CTC) is based on the national Communities That Care Model, an evidenced based prevention initiative that builds community capacity to implement evidence-based programs, policies and practices. CTC operates through a collective impact approach, engaging with community stakeholders to work towards preventing harmful behaviors and promoting positive youth development. Through the collective impact approach CTC helps communities identify and implement changes that can help youth become successful. The CTC collects local data related to risk and protective factors shown by research associated with delinquency, violence, substance abuse, school failure and dropout. Based on the data and evidence gathered the CTC begins to understand risk factors/gaps with our youth and begin to build the resources, partnerships, and/or a community structure that will create positive impacts on our youth.

The CTC’s identification are by geographic locations which are the 37th Ward and Strawberry Mansion.

THESE PHASES CAN SERVE AS TOOLS TO DOCUMENT OUR EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH.

COMMUNITY TOOLBOX

Everything in the community toolbox hold resources accessible to everyone.

  1. Social planning, social action, locality development, community partnership/coalitions
  2. Social marketing and grants: they want to make a greater use of online forums to connect with complementary knowledge and experience
  3. Want to adopt and use tools and competencies in community practice
  4. Raise knowledge to expand their scope
  5. Partnering with state, national, and global networks
  6. Affordable access to tools for community building in libraries, faith communities, cafes, and the public.
  7. CTC coalition also gives voice to local concerns, mobilizes community to help investigate community problems, address the problem, facilitate diverse representatives to reach a consensus about a common vision and actions that will turn ideas into results.

Positive Alternatives for Trauma and Healing

WHAT ARE THE GOALS FOR PATH?

The goal of this program is to reduce or prevent violence in the Strawberry Mansion and Kensington communities by building resilience in families of youth ages 14-24. This will be accomplished by promoting positive alternatives to violence through developmentally based mentorship, outreach, making connections, and providing supportive services. To reach this, PATH will work with systems and partners to give youth opportunities to succeed and promote well-being.

PATH PROGRAMMING

PATH will integrate programming from Positive Action, Character Counts (The Josephson Institute of Ethics), and Developmental Assets Framework into Central Division Victims Services’ programs, practices and training. Some highlights of the program include:

  • Cohorts with assessments involving youth and parents/caregivers
  • Programming, workshops, activities and guest speakers
  • Various Field Trips
  • Individualized Goal-Planning – Self Actualization
  • After-school, weekend and summer activities/programs
  • Whole Family Approach with Family Engagement
  • Resource & Referral Services for the entire family
  • Trauma Support, Resources and Programming
  • Mental/Behavioral Health resources and support
  • Community Engagement and Outreach
  • Opportunities, Skill-Building, and Future Planning
  • Bonding and Recognition
  • Program Completion Ceremony

 

All Services are Provided FREE of Charge!

HOW DO WE DO IT?

PATH works with local communities as well as state and national networks, and other partners.

  • Partnerships with schools, city/state, justice-related community sources, health-related community organizations, schools, and other community referral sources
  • Staff members are trained on best practices that can assist in the development of youth in the community
  • Utilizing innovation, technology and evidenced-based practices and programs, along with materials for staff, youth, families/caregivers and the community.
  • Using tools to implement PATH such as surveys, assessments, and evaluations to assess youth’s strengths and program effectiveness.

PROGRAM LOCATIONS

The PATH Program office will be located in the middle of two neighboring communities at Central Division Victims Services (CDVS) at 1538 Cecil B. Moore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19121. Our neighborhood advisors will be community-based and will meet the youth and their families where they are including but not limited to homes, schools, recreation centers, libraries and local community spaces.