Indivisible HOPE

How do we build safer communities and make sure no one is left behind? There is an innovative police model out there that does exactly this. The Chelsea, Mass. Police Model uses community resources to work with families and individuals that are facing difficult challenges and may need services from more than one community agency. The goal is to work together to ensure families and individuals are safe, healthy and have the opportunity to thrive. This model, called The Hub, reduces demands that are currently borne by the criminal justice system, health system, and families by more effectively applying the capacities of our human service partners and our police resources and mitigating those critical upstream risk factors that lead to harm, crime, and/or death.We have the local expert on this model to talk about it: Marla Davis Bellami. Marla is the director of Philadelphia CeaseFire and the director of Civic Engagement at the Center for Bioethics, Urban Health and Policy at the Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. In this episode, Marla is talking with our host, Josh Camson, Esq. on this unique model that could bring peace and justice to our communities.   Bio:  Marla Davis Bellamy, JD, MGA, is the director of Philadelphia CeaseFire and the director of Civic Engagement at the Center for Bioethics, Urban Health and Policy at the Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. She also has served as executive director of Temple's Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities and the co-director of the Center for Bioethics, Urban Health, and Policy. Prior to joining Temple, Ms. Davis Bellamy was the executive director of the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia and served for five years as chief of staff of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Marla earned a law degree at Temple University, a master of government administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Johnson C. Smith University.

On any given day, more than 450,000 people are languishing in jails across the U.S. while they await trial. Many face low-level charges for non-violent offenses and are stuck behind bars because they can’t afford to pay the bail that would secure their release.

Listen to MontCo and Indian Valley Democratic candidates:  + Val Arkoosh, Chair of Commissioners+ Ken Lawrence, Commissioner + Jeanne Sorg, Recorder of Deeds+ Noah Marlier, Prothonotary+ Virgil Walker, Judge of Common Pleas+ Henry Hilles, Judge of Common Pleas+ Julie Munden, Souderton Borough Council+ Nate Miller, Souderton Borough Council+ Chelsea Camson, School Board, SASD + Bennett Brigaman, School Board, SASD + Kevin Shelly, Lower Salford Township Supervisor+ Bruce Rhoades, Lower Salford Township Supervisor+ Nicole Spiese, Telford Borough Council + Dennis Erb, Upper Salford Township Supervisor Causes

Lori Schreiber was the first openly gay elected official in Montgomery County. She is now running for Clerk of Courts in Montgomery County and if she wins this year, she will write history and be the first gay row officer in Pennsylvania. But Lori is much more than this. Listen to our conversation with her as she talks about her family, education, and what she wants to achieve. 

What is Pennsylvania’s agenda for women and why it is important for both, women and men? Rep. Mary Jo Daley, Pennsylvania State Representative 148th district Rep. Morgan Cephas, Pennsylvania State Representative, 192th Carol E Tracy, Executive Director of the  Women's Law Project discuss obstacles and opportunities for women and men in our April 2019 meeting. 

Movita Johnson-Harrell's story is moving like no other. When she came to our March 2019 meeting right after she won the special election to the PA State House to tell her story, almost everyone had tears in his eyes. She has one goal and that is to stop the carnage and end gun violence.  This episode is an excerpt from the March 2019 meeting on gun violence. 

Indivisible HOPE co-hosted this event with Orange Wave for Gun Safety to talk about what we have already accomplished and what needs to be improved to save lives. Speakers are: - Elizabeth Lee and Gitana Wasserman from Orange Wave for Gun Safety- Movita Johnson-Harrell, PA State House member-elect and founder of the Charles Foundation- Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny Orange Wave – For Gun Safety is a grassroots organization based in Pennsylvania working to elect representatives who will introduce, sponsor, and support legislation designed to prevent and reduce gun violence. Movita Johnson Harrell is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School for Social Justice and Social Policy where she earned her masters of social work. For over two decades Movita has advocated for marginalized communities. Movita is the founder of The CHARLES Foundation (Creating Healthy Alternatives Results in Less Emotional Suffering). The CHARLES Foundation was created in memory of Charles Andre’ Johnson, Movita’s youngest child of four. On January 13th, 2011 Charles, 18 years old, died of fatal gunshot wounds. The Philadelphia police found that Charles was killed in a case of mistaken identity by two young men who had previous criminal arrest records. The Foundation’s work aims to empower young people on both sides of the gun to make better decisions to reduce violence and trauma. Movita has worked nationally to organize to fight gun violence and to educate on and support gun violence prevention legislation. January 2018 Movita was appointed as the Supervisor for Victim and Witness Services at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office by District Attorney Larry Krasner. Movita was the candidate for state representative in the HD 190’s special election in February 2012. Sean P. Kilkenny was elected in 2015 as the Sheriff of Montgomery County, the third largest county in the Commonwealth. He is a long-serving member of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps and the son of a police officer.Kilkenny served his country as an officer in both the active duty U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve for more than two decades. Now a retired lieutenant colonel, he began his military career as a paratrooper and federal prosecutor in the Judge Advocate General Corps. He has served in Iraq, Kosova, Bosnia, and South Korea. He is currently assigned as the Staff Judge Advocate to the 94th Training Division in Fort Lee, Virginia. He completed an elite program at the U.S. Army War College and earned a master’s degree in strategic studies.

Can Civil Conversations make a difference in a time like this? Megan Briggs, Civil Conversation Facilitator who runs a Civil Conversation group in Souderton, PA believes they can. “When we move past mere tolerance of the other to seeking to understand by hearing the lived experience of another, there is great potential for change, “ Megan said.  “My hope is that these conversations continue to create a space for a new quality of conversation and relationship.”  Listen to Megan in this podcast as we discussed the approach and how Civil Conversations can make a difference in our community.

Noah Marlier is running for the office of Prothonotary in Montgomery County, PA in 2019 with the goal to be our “effective, efficient and ethical voice”. We wanted to learn more about Noah, his personal and professional background, the office itself, and what he wants to accomplish in this office. Listen to him and learn more about elected officials in your county.