Urgent Mental Health Resources

If you are a current client or parent in need of non-emergency assistance, please contact the staff member or program with whom you usually work. General phone numbers for our programs and locations are listed here. For new visitors to this site, if you or a family member is in crisis, below are a few […]

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Support Families this Thanksgiving

Many of the families who participate in Gemma’s programs are experiencing food insecurity and struggle to provide their family with a special Thanksgiving meal. Gemma is collecting the fixings for “Everything but the Turkey” gift bags for families we work with in our prevention programs to help them enjoy a festive Thanksgiving meal. We are […]

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Help Create Holiday Joy

The holidays are a magical time at Gemma. “Wow! It looks like a fairy tale!” exclaimed a child in residence as they arrived at the Harrison gym for the annual holiday celebration last year, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland. “This is the best night of my life!” exclaimed another child upon receiving […]

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Parenting Workshops Coming Up!

Calling all parents! Gemma’s Family Empowerment Center (FEC) is hosting Parenting Workshops for parents and caregivers to focus on enhancing parenting skills by developing and practicing positive discipline techniques and learning about age-appropriate child development. The next workshop series kicks off on Wednesday, October 4 to be held virtually via Teams. You can earn $150 […]

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Omar Mateo Joins Gemma as Chief Operating Officer

We are pleased to announce that Omar Mateo, MSW, has joined Gemma Services as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr. Mateo brings a wealth of skills and experience to the newly developed role of COO. With more than 20 years of experience in the social services sector, his previous roles have focused on improving and streamlining […]

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Chefs for Gemma 2023 a Great Success!

Thank you to all who supported our Chefs for Gemma benefit held on Friday, April 28, 2023. More than 300 guests enjoyed an evening of robust bidding on almost 100 fantastic auction items, a delicious meal designed and presented by the talented Chef Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club pulled together beautifully by Green […]

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Your Holiday Impact

Thank you to all who answered Gemma’s call for donations to help us make the holidays bright for the youth and families we serve. We are honored to have your partnership! With the support of friends like you, Gemma helped hundreds of children and families from our local communities to have a joyful holiday season. […]

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Message from our CEO

Dear friend, Every day, I am inspired by the children, youth, and families we work with at Gemma. Their strength and determination are incredible. We strive to help them to find hope, and we look for every opportunity to convey these simple and powerful messages: To the child who experienced abuse and neglect and often […]

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Grant Holiday Wishes for Children and Families

Dear friends, Gemma strives to grant as many holiday wishes as we can for “our” kids and families. Even if some of the children’s wishes are not simple to fill, we work to ensure that each child feels valued, cared for, and heard. Last year, with the help of friends like YOU, we were able […]

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Chefs for Gemma 2023 Will Be April 28th!

Chefs for Gemma is the signature event benefitting Gemma Services and programs that make hope shine for kids and families! Chefs 2023 will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Green Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill and will feature Philadelphia’s rising star, Amanda Shulman, chef/owner of Her Place Supper Club in Philadelphia. Chef Shulman […]

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Message from our CEO

Dear friend, Every year Spring brings a sense of renewal, and it always reminds me of the cycle of growth we see each day at Gemma. This growth is apparent in the transformative impact of Martin Luther School’s educational program and through the powerful healing children experience through Outpatient therapy, in our Residential Treatment Program, […]

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Talking to Children About Tragedies

Gemma is dedicated to providing mental health and education for children and families. As such, we are extremely sensitive to the fear, sadness, and anxiety caused by events like yesterday’s shooting. You can find some helpful resources for talking to children and teens about such events below. How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings […]

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An Announcement | March 2022

March 10, 2022 Dear Friends, I am pleased to share with you that Gemma Services has accepted an offer from The Haverford School’s Board of Trustees to purchase Gemma’s property on South Roberts Road in Radnor Township. While we hope and expect the sale to go through, we do not anticipate the transaction to be […]

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Reflections from Our Staff

We recently asked some of our dedicated team members to share reflections on what they find most rewarding about their job working with at-risk youth and families. We share a some of their inspiring answers here. A FOSTER FAMILY CARE Case Manager  reflected: “I didn’t choose child welfare; child welfare chose me. My most favorite part […]

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Autism-Related Books and Movies

Please see below for a list of books and movies that have an autism connection. this was compiled by the Clinical Director of Gemma’s Applied Behavioral Analysis program (ABA). Books Kids/Educational: My Brother Charlie / Holly Robinson Peete Nathan’s Autism Spectrum Superpowers / Lori Leigh Yarborough Since We’re Friends: An Autism Picture Book / Celeste […]

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Gemma’s Commitment to Antiracism

Our hearts are heavy in the wake of ongoing violence against people of color. Gemma is committed to working together as an organization to help shine a light on the plight of groups marginalized in our community and country. This commitment aligns with our core beliefs and long history of working toward a bright future for all people in our communities who […]

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Sharing Important News

Dear Friend, Today we share some significant news from Gemma Services (formerly theVillage and Silver Springs – Martin Luther School). At the October 22, 2020 meeting of Gemma’s Board of Directors, the Board voted unanimously to cease all operations of the Rosemont Residential Program, which includes the Gemma School. Additionally, we will be seeking an […]

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Introducing Gemma Services!

In spring 2019, we announced that the Boards of Directors of Silver Springs – Martin Luther School and theVillage, following an extensive exploratory process, voted in favor of uniting to operate as one single organization serving children, youth, and families in the Philadelphia region. The merger enables our previously-separate organizations to continue their vital work […]

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A United Team Serving Children and Families in the Philadelphia Region

We are pleased to announce that on June 25, 2019, the Boards of Directors of Silver Springs – Martin Luther School and theVillage, following an extensive exploratory process, voted in favor of uniting to operate as one single organization serving children, families and communities in the Philadelphia region. The decision to merge was made with […]

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