(Editors Note: This article mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the suicide prevention hotline: 988)
Gun violence, mentorship and advocacy were at the center of discussion Thursday during the Bench Mark and CeasefirePA community violence intervention discussion panel at Bench Mark Center.
Founded in 2014, the Bench Mark Program, uses personal training, weightlifting, and mentorship to assist youth in challenging circumstances to become leaders and guide them into better opportunities.
CeasefirePA is dedicated to ending gun violence in Pennsylvania. The organization aims to raise awareness about federal funding for direct gun violence intervention programs, such as Bench Mark, being impacted by the current administration. The organization is working with Gov. Shapiro and legislative allies to protect investments in the state budget, which will be voted on in June.
Representatives from Bench Mark and CeasefirePA address gun violence intervention. Panelist included: Grant Maurer, Southeast PA organizer of CeasfirePA, Maura Condon Umble, CeasefirePA volunteer, Cameron Rivera, past Bench Mark mentee, Shylah Searfoss, past Bench Mark mentee, Kevin McKeither, Bench Mark mentor and Will Kiefer, founder of Bench Mark.
Umble told a story about her son committing suicide by using a gun. That inspired her to volunteer with CeasefirePA because its vision of a life with no gun violence and mission to organize communities closest to the issue, hold those in power accountable and maximize the strengths of every member in its broad coalition.
Kiefer detailed the impact and mission of Bench Mark. The organization works with youth, starting with the juvenile detention center where mentors build relationships with incarcerated youth, particularly those related to firearm charges. The program has a zero-reoffence policy. The mentors support the youth and continue the relationships after incarceration. Kiefer praised two past mentees of the program, Rivera and Searfoss, and how he has seen them grow throughout the years.
Searfoss explained that she has been involved with Bench Mark since 2021 and has experienced the juvenile justice system and gun related crimes. She explained that her actions got her to the detention center. She has learned from her past experiences and wants others to learn from her mistakes.
Rivera shared that the mentorship in the program helped him stay out of trouble and gave him a different perspective on life’s challenges. He felt comfortable coming to Bench Mark and felt the mentors understood him, which prompted him to trust them.
“As mentors, it’s our job to navigate them in a different way or let them see that they could be something other than just what they might think is considered successful,” said McKeither. He emphasized that mentors wear many hats, provide advice, and engage in activities that help the mentees gain life skills. McKeither and other mentors are from the area and understand the environment that the mentees are dealing with, which allows them to connect to them adequately.
Maurer explained that community violence invention programs have led to a significant decrease in homicide and firearm deaths. “The city of York had its fewest homicides this past year since 2015. Allentown had its lowest rate of homicides since 1989. Montgomery County homicides dropped by 35% in this past year. Statewide, firearm deaths fell 38%.” The money for those programs was from COVID-19 pandemic funding but that money has dried up. Gov. Shapiro announced in his budget that $55 million would go to violence intervention programs. To ensure the continued progress of these programs, the organization wants the House to vote in June to allocate $100 million for community violence intervention programs.
Maurer encouraged attendees to attend the organizations End Gun Violence Advocacy Day on April 8. The organization is going to Harrisburg with hundreds of advocates to meet with their legislators and advocate for increased funding in the state budget and bills that are believed to reduce gun violence.
