Summer of Healing Grants

Summer of Healing Grants

Funder: The Hear Foundation (Pittsburgh, PA)

Overview: The Hear Foundation's inaugural "Summer of Healing" grant program, launched in June 2022, supports community projects in gun violence reduction, trauma, and workforce development. The program funds initiatives that embed police-community collaboration and healing-focused activities.

Funding Details

• 2022 Total Funding: $75,000 (from Heal America)
• Award Range: Varies by project
• Geographic Scope: Pittsburgh neighborhoods

Focus Areas

• Gun violence reduction
• Trauma support and healing
• Workforce development
• Youth engagement
• Police-community relationship building

2022 Funded Projects

#### Youth Summer Camps

Supported Programs: Voices Against Violence, Hope 4 Tomorrow, Youth Enrichment Services

Duration: Six-week free camps

Focus: Holistic care, academic achievement, wellbeing, self-empowerment, community service

Police Integration: Community engagement officers embedded weekly; discussions on police reform, public safety concerns, law enforcement careers, prior police encounters, media portrayals

Mental Health Component: Imagine Further Collective provided weekly sessions on support systems, coping skills, resiliency

Youth Ambassador Program: Five young adults hired to facilitate positive interactions between officers and youth

#### Perry High School Youth-Led Safety Plan

Award: $21,600

Focus: Student Safety Ambassadors (SSAs) developed school-wide safety plan

Components:

- Five youth hired for summer work experience
- 10-week training on trauma, policing, community building
- Development of student-led safety plan addressing conflict
- Safe passage planning
- School-wide summit planning
- Mentoring and additional trainings during school year

Police Partnership: Pittsburgh police participated to build relationships and teach relationship-based policing

#### Center for Victims Healing Rivers Workshops

Focus: Trauma science and resilience building

Components:

- 15 summer workshops training 150+ community leaders
- Understanding trauma impacts from violence, abuse, chronic adversity
- Building wellbeing and resilience strategies
- Clergy and spiritual leaders partnered with police officers
- Five additional workshops with community leaders, mothers of violence victims, nonprofit practitioners

Eligible Participants

• Youth ages 8-16 (summer camps)
• Community leaders and grassroots organizations
• Schools and students
• Faith leaders and spiritual leaders
• Mental health professionals

Organization Background

The Hear Foundation, launched June 22, 2022, is dedicated to fostering collaboration between law enforcement, city officials, community groups, and residents. Co-founded by Leon Ford (police shooting survivor and mental health advocate) and Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert (29-year veteran).

Contact

Email: hello@hearfoundation.com Website: hearfoundation.com