Jeani Garcia
Executive Director, Promise Neighborhoods of LV
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley
Jeani Garcia is an Allentown-based anti-violence advocate and Executive Director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, a position she assumed in 2025 after serving as the organization's Director of Operations and Interim Executive Director. Her activism is rooted in the 2012 murder of her 17-year-old son, Kareem Fedd, an event that prompted her to found Mother2Mother, a support network for mothers who have lost children to gun violence, and Kareem's Community Day, an annual community event held in his honor. Garcia serves on the inaugural advisory committee of Pennsylvania's Office of Gun Violence Prevention and works as project coordinator for the Coordinated Community Violence Intervention Project, having previously transitioned from careers in insurance and factory work to join Promise Neighborhoods' staff as a project director in 2019. She is also a credible messenger who works directly with juveniles in the criminal justice system and advocates for legislation protecting police informants and establishing halfway houses for individuals seeking to leave gangs.
Timeline
Jeani Garcia, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, spoke at a candlelight vigil for shooting victims Sarah Rice and Greg Johnson, emphasizing the community's need for ongoing support.
After nine months serving as interim leader, Jeani Garcia officially became Executive Director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, effective January 1, 2026.
Jeani Garcia was named to the Public Safety Subcommittee for Lehigh County Executive-Elect Josh Siegel's transition team, with committee meetings beginning in December.
Jeani Garcia was appointed to serve on the executive committee for Pennsylvania's Office of Gun Violence Prevention, joining 28 other advocates and experts.
Jeani Garcia, with Promise Neighborhoods, organized the first Kareem's Community Day at Fountain Park in Allentown to honor her late son and unite the community, especially its youth.
Jeani Garcia was promoted to interim executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley in April 2025, succeeding founder Hassan Batts in the role.
Jeani Garcia announced that Promise Neighborhoods Lehigh Valley's federal funding for its Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative had been canceled, prompting a call for community financial support.
Jeani Garcia stood alongside Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk at a January news conference announcing a 35-year low in homicide rates for 2024, with credit given to Promise Neighborhoods' contributions.
Promise Neighborhoods, where Jeani Garcia served as operations director, was awarded $1.6 million by the state to implement the Coordinated Community Violence Intervention (CCVI) project through 2027.
Jeani Garcia, operations director for Promise Neighborhoods, publicly stated a vote of no confidence against Allentown School Board Director Phoebe Harris during a school board meeting, citing misuse of power.
Jeani Garcia participated in a march for Promise Neighborhoods of The Lehigh Valley's End Gun Violence campaign on Hamilton Street in Allentown to raise awareness.
Jeani Garcia authored an opinion piece in The Morning Call urging the Allentown community and elected officials to unite and address the growing crisis of youth violence.
Jeani Garcia took on the role of Director of Operations at Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley in September 2017, serving in that position for almost eight years.
Jeani Garcia became actively involved in advocating for preventive programs for at-risk children and broader strategies to reduce gun violence in the community.
Jeani Garcia's 17-year-old son, Kareem Fedd, an Allen High School student, was murdered in his bed in Allentown. The killing occurred weeks after Garcia sought help from the Allentown Police Department regarding her son's gang involvement.
After her son's death, Jeani Garcia formed an informal support group of grieving mothers to cope with their shared pain and support one another.
Facts
Inaugural Advisory Committee, Pennsylvania’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention
- • Anti-violence
- • Anti-poverty
- • Gun violence prevention
- • Community wellness
- • Workforce development
- • Re-entry programming
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley
- • Founder, Mother2Mother
- • Founder, Kareem’s Community Day
- • Interim Executive Director, Promise Neighborhoods (prior to 2026)
- • Director of Operations, Promise Neighborhoods (September 2017 – Spring 2025)
- • Project Director, Promise Neighborhoods (2019)
- • Volunteer Violence Interrupter, Promise Neighborhoods (2018)
- • Health, Life and Fixed Annuities Agent (prior to 2019)
Allentown
Executive Director
Connections
Hasshan Batts prepared Jeani Garcia to be his successor at Promise Neighborhoods for five years before his exit, and he has served as her mentor and senior advisor.
Succeeded Hasshan Batts as executive director of Promise Neighborhoods Lehigh Valley on April 1, 2025, and was previously the organization's director of operations, having been chosen by Batts as his successor.