Category: Featured Stories - Page 32 - Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Fairhill: New Chapter For Library Means Bittersweet, Temporary Closure

April 19, 2016James M. Kirn

Rebekah Ray and the staff at the Lillian Marrero Library have been dedicated to the future of the branch, long before the building recently closed for renovations. Now, they are left wondering how the community is

Hunting Park: Art Exhibit Provides Safe Space for Youth

April 18, 2016Carine Lavache

Laughter and chatter filled the air as 30 people gathered in a tiny space in Hunting Park for an art exhibit entitled “I Am,” a self-reflective show on identity. The space, called Orange Korner Arts,

Allegheny West: A School’s Hidden Treasure

April 1, 2016Stephanie B Hirsch

Tucked away on West Clearfield Street in Allegheny West, the St. James School prospers within a national historic landmark that is arguably one of North Philadelphia’s greatest hidden treasures – the Church of St. James the

Mantua: “I Just Want to Be That Image For Them.”

March 30, 2016Thomas D Reifsnyder

After enduring a troubled childhood in West Philadelphia, near 56th Street and Lansdowne Avenue, 19-year-old Rodney Mobley began utilizing his past experiences to positively impact his community. He now serves as the community connector and engagement coordinator for People’s Emergency

Education: YouthBuild Gives High School Dropouts A Second Chance To Succeed

March 28, 2016Matthew S. Leister

Jocquelyn Cain, 21, was turned away when he tried to re-enroll in his high school two years after he dropped out. He was too old. The Pennsylvania Department of Education says that only 70 percent

Mantua: “My Parents and Grandparents Trained Me to Survive.”

February 19, 2016Thomas D Reifsnyder and

Nine years ago, De’Wayne Drummond nearly lost it all. A lifelong resident of the Mantua section of West Philadelphia, Drummond had unknowingly fallen asleep in nearly six pints of his own blood at his home

Education: Young Playwrights’ Program Puts Spotlight on Student Voices

February 12, 2016Matthew S. Leister

Anthony Martinez-Briggs, 25, is a teaching artist at the Philadelphia Young Playwrights. He is a co-founder of the grassroots organization “I Love Living,” which stems from the local hip-hop band Ill Doots. He also teaches

Strawberry Mansion: A Veteran Community Leader Hopes for Community Enrichment

February 5, 2016Mariama S. Taifa-Seitu and

Denise Clark, a Strawberry Mansion resident for more than 50 years, serves as the vice president of the Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corporation. Clark helps guide the CDC to new heights while keeping the past

Mantua: “You’re Never Really Alone if You Come to Work Here.”

February 5, 2016Thomas D Reifsnyder and

Branon Gilmore makes enrichment for youths and adults in the Mantua area his priority every day when coming to work in the morning. Gilmore, 44, is the Center Director for the West Philadelphia Community Center on

Infrastructure: Five Projects Commuters Need to Know About

February 3, 2016Daniel T. Pelligrine and

If last year is anything to go by, then 2016 is set to be a year full of disruption for commuters in Philadelphia, even without a visit from the Pope. And with 30 projects underway