Nic on the issues

I believe that focusing on our youth is imperative to solving the gun violence crisis in Philadelphia. In the United States, we are currently experiencing an adolescent mental health crisis. Nearly 20% of children have a reported behavioral health disorder and from 2009 to 2019, there was a 40% increase in students who have persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. In a world where young people don’t have hope and don’t have outlets to talk about their feelings, they often make bad decisions including turning to violence. In order to ensure Philadelphia’s future safety, I know that we must engage our youth in opportunities that center their joy, interests, and health.

In council I will work with fellow council persons to secure funding to expand the city's pars and recreation budget to provide critical interventions towards deterring youth gun violence. Libraries, recreation centers, and other communal spaces are important points of contact and intervention for Philadelphia youth and are critical to fighting the underlying mental health crisis, building relationships with service providers and first responders, and supporting families with vital community services.