# Mantua: "I Just Want to Be That Image For Them."

After enduring a troubled childhood in [West Philadelphia, near 56th Street and Lansdowne Avenue](https://articles.philly.com/keyword/lansdowne-avenue), 19-year-old [Rodney Mobley](https://vimeo.com/126639262) began utilizing his past experiences to positively impact his community. He now serves as the community connector and engagement coordinator for [People's Emergency Center](https://www.pec-cares.org/), which is based in the [Mantua](https://mantua1.com/) section of the city. Mobley is now a freshman on full-academic scholarship at [Colby-Sawyer College](https://colby-sawyer.edu/) in New London, New Hampshire. He is currently taking online classes while he's back home to care for his newborn son, Dylan. https://vimeo.com/160803359 *- Video, text and images by Tom Reifsnyder.*