Mothers In Charge

MOTHERS IN CHARGE IS A VIOLENCE PREVENTION, EDUCATION AND INTERVENTION-BASED ORGANIZATION, WHICH ADVOCATES AND SUPPORTS YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE, AND JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS.   MOTHERS IN CHARGE, INC. (MIC) WAS FOUNDED IN MAY OF 2003 BY DOROTHY JOHNSON-SPEIGHT AS A RESPONSE TO THE 2001 MURDER OF HER 24-YEAR OLD SON OVER A PARKING SPACE DISPUTE. IN THEIR FIRST YEAR, MIC SERVED APPROXIMATELY 100 PEOPLE THROUGH OUR GRIEF SUPPORT SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION BEGAN AS A WAY TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HEAL AFTER THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE. WHILE IT STARTED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES THROUGH THEIR GRIEF, IT HAS BECOME A VEHICLE FOR ADVOCACY, THE PROMOTION OF COMMON-SENSE GUN LAWS, AND PROGRAMS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN THE URBAN COMMUNITY.   OVER THE PAST 17 YEARS MIC HAS BEEN ON THE FRONTLINES OF CREATING SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES. THE AGENCY HAS EXPANDED TO SERVE HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE BY PROVIDING VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, EDUCATION, AND GRIEF SUPPORT SERVICES. IN 2019, MIC SERVED OVER 1,000 PEOPLE IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROGRAM AREAS.    OUR CORE PROGRAMS RELATED TO GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION IS THE COLLABORATION OF GRASSROOTS, COMMUNITY-BASED, WORKFORCE, FAITH-BASED, GOVERNMENT, AND INSTITUTIONAL (CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH) EFFORTS FOR COHESIVE AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE APPROACHES TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION. AS SUCH, WE SUPPORT EFFORTS AND COMMUNITY-BASED MODELS OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION THAT ADDRESS VICTIM’S ADVOCACY, COMMON SENSE GUN LAW LEGISLATION/POLICY, AND RE-ENTRY SUPPORT.   OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PREVENTION, INTERVENTION AND EDUCATION (PIE):   PREVENTION: ANGER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. PARTICIPANTS ARE SERVED THROUGH THE PHILADELPHIA COURT AND PROBATIONS SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM REFERS ADULTS TO OUR 9-WEEK ANGER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.   INTERVENTION: GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL GRIEF SUPPORT. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SUPPORT, INCLUDING CRISIS COUNSELING, THERAPEUTIC STORYTELLING, AND A SUPPORTIVE PHONE HOTLINE, IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO VIOLENCE. OUR GROUPS INCLUDE NOT ONLY MOTHERS, BUT ALSO FATHERS, AUNTS, UNCLES, SIBLINGS, AND EXTENDED FAMILY AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE.   EDUCATION: COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH & LIPSTICK. WE PROVIDE EDUCATION ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS, THE COMMUNITY, AND WITH AT-RISK FAMILIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS AND BULLY PREVENTION PROGRAMS.  OUR NEWEST PROGRAM, LADIES INVOLVED IN PUTTING A STOP TO INNER-CITY KILLING (LIPSTICK) HELPS WOMEN UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF STRAW PURCHASING FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITY.   MOTHERS IN CHARGE BELIEVES THAT IF GIVEN WAYS THROUGH PREVENTION, INTERVENTION AND EDUCATION TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND ALTERNATIVES, AS WELL AS CONSEQUENCES, WE WOULD SEE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES SUCH AS REDUCTION IN GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.