Immigration: For Those Who Move To Philadelphia, The Mental Health Journey Is Often Far From Over
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 a rebellious anti-government movement — threatening her family. “We moved immediately from Barranquilla,” Coronado said. “I left everything behind. Dog, […]
Immigration: Familial Experiences Adjusting to United States Culture Differ Between Generations
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 and rice and beans. Julieth Rodriguez, 22, immigrated to Philadelphia from Bogotá in 2016 with her now 7-year-old daughter Maria […]
West Poplar: New Community Center Leader Unites Poplar Residents Through Art, Sports
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 new position in September as the outreach program director at Saint Paul’s Community Center on Wallace and 10th streets. […]
Poplar: Residents Express Concerns About Girard Avenue Development
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 gathered at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church for the 14th Ward Democratic Executive Committee’s community meeting to discuss the developer’s plan […]
Immigration: How To Get Health Care
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 can be challenging due to language barriers, lack of funding for community health centers and outreach and enrollment services, cultural […]
Immigration: Maria Sotomayor Leads Refugee And Immigrant Youth In Social Advocacy
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 that, and I had expected them to have a really big house and a nice job and all the things […]
Wharton: Roots Of Happiness Grows Community For Elderly Southeast Asian Immigrants And Refugees
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 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at coworking space Bok on Ninth Street near Mifflin Street. The program, run by SEAMAAC, serves […]
Immigration: Kiera Kenney Connects African And Caribbean Immigrants And Refugees With Health And Social Services
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 management programs and helping community members set up and go to doctor’s appointments. Kiera Kenney works as the manager of […]
Immigration: Gretchen Shanfeld Connects Immigrants And Refugees with Health And Mental Health Services
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 connecting people to health services. Gretchen Shanfeld has worked at NSC for more than eight years and currently serves as […]
Immigration: Carol Agia And Marco Circelli Discuss History Of Italian Immigration In Philadelphia
Like many Italian-Americans in Philadelphia, Carol Agia’s grandparents came to Philadelphia around the turn of the 20th century. One of her grandfathers immigrated in 1896 at the age of seven, while the other arrived in 1915 when he was 12 years old. “Often the father and the oldest son came over, saved a little bit […]