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HomeAuthorsLaura Smythe

Articles by Laura Smythe

Education

East Poplar: New City School Branch Unites Students, Community Residents

January 24, 2019 Laura Smythe 0

The school bell rings at 8:05 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. every day, but for Joel Gaines (above) there is no average day on the job. Working at a brand new school and building a new [continue reading…]

Featured Stories

Immigration: For Those Who Move To Philadelphia, The Mental Health Journey Is Often Far From Over

November 18, 2018 Laura Smythe 1

UPROOTING Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, Carolina Coronado never thought she’d leave her native country. But one day in the mid-2000s she received a phone call from a Colombian guerrilla group — part of [continue reading…]

Featured Stories

Immigration: Familial Experiences Adjusting to United States Culture Differ Between Generations

November 18, 2018 Laura Smythe 1

In the middle of Northeast Philadelphia’s Mayfair neighborhood, the Rodriguez family retains their Colombian heritage by speaking Spanish in the house, listening to Colombian music and cooking traditional Latin American foods like arepas, sancocho soup [continue reading…]

Arts and Entertainment

West Poplar: New Community Center Leader Unites Poplar Residents Through Art, Sports

October 29, 2018 Laura Smythe 0

Richard Austin, 54, worked in banking and insurance for almost three decades before making the leap to nonprofit work to connect with communities hands-on. After eleven years in the sector, the Cheltenham resident started a [continue reading…]

Housing

Poplar: Residents Express Concerns About Girard Avenue Development

October 25, 2018 Laura Smythe 0

Poplar residents raised concerns about an influx of college students and the lack of adequate parking after hearing a proposal for a new six-story development at a neighborhood meeting last week. More than 30 people [continue reading…]

Featured Stories

Immigration: How To Get Health Care

September 6, 2018 Laura Smythe 0

While understanding how to enroll for health care services can be a challenge for everybody, immigrants to the United States are far more likely to live uninsured. Navigating the health care process as an immigrant [continue reading…]

Center City

Immigration: Maria Sotomayor Leads Refugee And Immigrant Youth In Social Advocacy

August 7, 2018 Laura Smythe 0

Immigrating to the United States from Ecuador when she was 10 years old, Maria Sotomayor quickly realized immigrants to the U.S. faced an entirely different world than she expected. “My parents had lived here before [continue reading…]

Featured Stories

Wharton: Roots Of Happiness Grows Community For Elderly Southeast Asian Immigrants And Refugees

July 18, 2018 Laura Smythe 0

Every Tuesday morning elderly Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees come together to socialize, strengthen community ties and improve their mental and physical health. Roots of Happiness: Elders Health & Wellness Services takes place from 9 [continue reading…]

Education

Immigration: Kiera Kenney Connects African And Caribbean Immigrants And Refugees With Health And Social Services

July 16, 2018 Laura Smythe 0

The African Family Health Organization, located on Chestnut Street near 44th Street, works with African and Caribbean refugees to connect them with health and social services around the city. AFAHO’s services include ESL courses, case [continue reading…]

Featured Stories

Immigration: Gretchen Shanfeld Connects Immigrants And Refugees with Health And Mental Health Services

July 13, 2018 Laura Smythe 0

The Nationalities Service Center at 1216 Arch St. helps more than 5,000 immigrants and refugees every year adjust to their new lives in Philadelphia. They offer a range of services including English classes, legal services and [continue reading…]

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Recent Posts

  • BSR: Get Ready for Book Week 2025
    May 27, 2025 0
  • Schuylkill River Trail extension to open May 17
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  • A Haven of Hope for Philadelphia’s Unhoused
    March 3, 2025 0
  • No Picture
    Heights Philadelphia: Mentoring students for future success
    March 3, 2025 0
  • Chinatown celebrates Lunar New Year
    February 24, 2025 0
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