Young black Philadelphians drawn to organization fighting gun violence

Husband and wife team Jarel and Karise Crew, each black Philadelphians, founded the Philadelphia branch That Gun Talk in August 2021. According to its website, That Gun Talk is a national organization dedicated to meeting the necessity for victims of gun violence to receive training in responsible gun ownership and de-escalation tools as a part of the group’s push to reduce gun violence weapons.

According to , the group’s message resonates in Philadelphiawhere, even though it happened the most important goal stays to significantly reduce gun violence from 2023 city ​​authorities.

As of October 1, there have been 841 shootings in Philadelphia in 2024, half of which were people under 30, and 80% of gun violence victims were Black.

Among those that have responded positively to the group’s message after experiencing gun violence is 22-year-old Isaiah Stanton.

Following the 2023 death of his 26-year-old brother Ronald Wimberly, whose murder is currently unsolved and has not resulted in any arrests, Stanton purchased a gun after filling out an application for a gun license while he and his mother mourned the loss.

According to Stanton, the gun was purchased “only for my safety. Not just for me, but for my family, you understand, approaching it the appropriate way and getting licensed,” Stanton said. “And actually exercising my Second Amendment right.”

In August, Stanton attended a workshop Downposted by Crews and That Gun Talk at a training ground about 90 miles outside of Philadelphia.

During the workshop, participants were trained in using locks and gun safes, protective equipment and de-escalation techniques.

According to Karise Crew, the group wants to avoid pathologizing victims of gun violence and argued that they need to surround themselves with them.

“We can say this is gun violence, but we are missing the point, we are not having conversations, we are not loving them and we are not there for them as we should be as humanity, as people,” Karise said.

Her husband, Jarel, told the web site that proper gun education is very important, but noted that it’s going to not necessarily completely end gun violence.

“I believe we can make a difference and we can make a difference in the community through education,” Jarel said, before continuing: “Criminals will always have access to firearms. If you get rid of firearms, God forbid, if you have to defend your life or your family, how will you be able to do that?”

According to one other Philadelphia organization, the Uplift Center for Grieving Children, received $50,000 from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and the Philadelphia Foundation for his work to help grieving victims of gun violence.

In addition to this group, 31 other groups will receive micro-grants to further address the basis causes of gun violence in Philadelphia.

According to Krasner’s statement within the press release announcing the grant award: “While we continue to see a truly historic decline in gun violence nationally and in Philadelphia, we cannot let up on the gas,” Krasner said. “That’s why my administration is excited to continue helping community groups that have contributed largely to this decline in violence. Through continued violence prevention and modern law enforcement efforts, we will further reduce violent crime.”

According to Keri Salerno, executive director of the Uplift Center for Grieving Children, the cash will allow her organization to proceed providing free services.

“Being able to process these emotions is extremely difficult,” Salerno told WHYY. “Especially if you’re in communities where there are more challenges.”

Salerno continued, “It’s grants just like the one we just received from the District Attorney’s Office that make these services free. The more dollars, the more grief groups we are able to host. “It’s a sign that people understand that grief work and mental health work is about preventing violence, and that’s very important.”