'Mothers in Charge' throws Christmas event for kids touched by violence

Christie Ileto Image
Thursday, December 19, 2019
'Mothers in Charge' throws Christmas event for kids touched by violence
Mothers in Charge through the ultimate holiday party as reported by Christie Ileto during Action News at 11 on December 18, 2019.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- For Philadelphia children touched by violence this year, "Mothers in Charge," a violence prevention organization, threw the ultimate holiday party.

From the DJ, dancing to dinner and presents, about 70 children walked away with a Christmas gift either donated by the 22nd Police District or a local organization.

"So many of these children, often we call them the forgotten mourners," said Dorothy Johnson-Speight, founder of Mothers in Charge.

"Tonight we wanted to put a smile on the faces of so many of the children who have lost their mom, or dad , a loved one."

Those in attendance even paused to pray for the family of Ceani Smalls, the 16-year-old shot to death while getting off a SEPTA bus this month.

Her mother was in attendance, still grieving the loss.

"It's important to let the families know that people care," said Johnson-Speight.

"When you lose a loved one you don't understand, you don't know that people care, and it's important to let them that we care, we're here to support them."

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