PRESS RELEASE: September 26, 2025
Contact: Hana Cowart
Gulf Coast JFCS Director of Corporate and Community Engagement
media@gcjfcs.org
727-503-7856
Gun Violence Victims Support Group to be Hosted by Dr. Brittany Peters and The Hub
The Hub is proud to announce the launch of a new support group for victims of gun violence.
The support group will meet virtually via Zoom beginning October 15 at 6 p.m. Sign-up is available at www.StPeteHubs.org or directly at http://bit.ly/4mE0SaV.
This new monthly group will provide a space for victims of gun violence to share their experiences, receive professional guidance, and connect with others who have faced similar challenges. The goal is to foster a sense of community and resilience among participants, helping them navigate their healing journey.
St. Petersburg has experienced an upward trend in gun violence in recent years. While both local law enforcement agencies and community organizations are actively working to address the underlying causes of this issue, there remains a notable lack of consistent emotional and psychological support services for those directly impacted by gun-related incidents. Individuals affected by gun violence—whether through personal injury, the loss of a loved one, or exposure to traumatic events—often face profound and lasting consequences. To address this need, this new Gun Violence Support Group, hosted by The Hub, will offer a safe environment for participants to share their experiences, process trauma, and receive evidence-based coping strategies facilitated by peers and a licensed mental health professional.
The Hub, also known as St. Pete Community Support Hubs, is designed to be a resident-centered, social support space focusing on the needs and well-being of the residents of St. Petersburg. The Hub aims to provide a safe environment for participants to share their experiences, process trauma, and receive evidence-based coping strategies. This is essential for individuals who have faced the profound and lasting consequences of gun violence.
Led by the esteemed Dr. Brittany Peters, this initiative aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals affected by gun violence, offering them the resources and community they need to heal and thrive.
Dr. Brittany Peters is a highly respected expert in behavioral health with over 18 years of experience in mental health services. She trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and holds certifications in addictions.
Dr. Peters is dedicated to expanding access to mental health care and addressing the challenges within the field. Dr. Peters’ efforts to improve mental health services have been recognized through features in reputable publications such as the Tampa Bay Times and The Weekly Challenger. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Community Hero Award from G3 Life Applications and the Leading Change Award from the University of South Florida’s School of Social Work.
For more information about the Gun Violence Victims Support Group, please visit www.StPeteHubs.org or contact The Hub at StPeteHubs@gcjfcs.org or by calling (727) 285-4553.
About The Hub: St. Pete Community Support Hubs, also known as The Hubs, are resident-centered, social support spaces. Located throughout the city of St. Petersburg, The Hubs are redefining community support for St. Pete residents through assertive outreach, care management, and counseling and wellness services. The Hub is supported by the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal program to help cities recover from COVID-19. The people behind the Hubs are Gulf Coast JFCS, People Empowering & Restoring Communities (PERC), the City of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas Community Foundation.
About Gulf Coast JFCS: Protecting the vulnerable, strengthening families, and empowering individuals throughout the state of Florida since 1974, Gulf Coast JFCS helps the most vulnerable people throughout our community, from babies to seniors, to find safety, comfort, and a path toward a fulfilling life. To help as many people as compassionately and comprehensively as possible through complex life challenges, Gulf Coast JFCS programs span a broad human service spectrum, reaching more than 30,000 people annually throughout Tampa Bay and beyond. Our programs include career development, behavioral health services, family support, and more. The outcome – lives uplifted! Additional information is available at www.GulfCoastJFCS.org
About People Empowering & Restoring Communities: Community empowerment through accountable collaboration, rehabilitation, advocacy, and innovation since 1993, the Pinellas Ex-offender Re-entry Coalition (PERC) is reputedly the oldest Re-entry Coalition in the state of Florida. PERC helps the offender become and remain an ex-offender, reunited with family through advocacy, education, programming, and comprehensive service delivery and referral. Additional information is available at www.exoffender.org.
