Hunting Park: Casa Del Carmen Administrator Keeps Local Residents Connected And Informed
For the past two years, Christopher Gale has been serving as the administrator of Casa del Carmen, a branch of Catholic Social Services (CSS) which was founded to serve the Latino community in North Philadelphia. According to CSS records, Casa del Carmen impacted 21,387 people during the 2015-2016 fiscal year. If a client can’t come […]
Social Issues: Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez Talks Income Inequality
María Quiñones-Sánchez took office 10 years ago representing District 7 in Philadelphia City Council. Long considered a party outsider, it is not uncommon to find her battling politically with Latino leaders in her own neighborhood, as well as other council members. Her sprawling council district is comprised of a wide area, covering all or parts […]
Education: “A grassroots attempt to deal with the problems of socio-economic segregation.”
Jeff Hornstein is the chair of Friends of Neighborhood Education (FONE), a coalition that organizes more than 40 “Friends of” groups, or collections of neighbors investing in their neighborhood schools. The organization serves as the education committee for the Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition, a federation of all civic associations in the city. He also served as […]
South Philadelphia: The City Unites over Soccer
The city will host the second annual Philadelphia International Unity Cup , a 48-team regional, World Cup soccer-style tournament, this fall with the final match set to take place at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 11. In addition to a highly competitive soccer match taking place that day, there will also be a parade of nations, where each team […]
Hunting Park: Esperanza Aims to Improve Neighborhood Conditions
Esperanza is a faith-based community development corporation and nonprofit organization. It was founded in 1986 by the Hispanic clergy of Philadelphia. At the time, the Hispanic clergy wanted to address some of the larger problems that the community faced – access to affordable housing, access to jobs, safe communities and an education. Philip Dawson, 29, […]
Hunting Park: Community Leaders Working Tirelessly To End Stereotypes Surrounding The Community
Cracked sidewalk pavement, dilapidated housing and trash are common sights to new visitors to the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia and leave an impression of a community that seems to be on down times. Hunting Park has struggled to combat the crime and drug epidemics that have surrounded the community. Recently, steps have been taken to […]
Hunting Park: Black Diamond Dance Troupe Prepares Girls For Healthy Futures Through Dance and Mentoring
Hip-Hop music played loudly at the Hunting Park Recreation Center, where a group of young girls smiled with joy as they began preparation for their next performance. The Black Diamond Dance Troupe was founded two years ago by Camisha Moyer, Shana Bowman and Kishna Jeantine, who serve as the dance coaches for the troupe. The […]
Hunting Park: Family Fit Program Helps Reduce Obesity Through Education and Fitness
Young children and their guardians watched as a big blue, red and white volleyball went back and forth over a volleyball net which signified the beginning of another family fit class at the Esperanza Center on 4417 N. 6th St. in Hunting Park. The children and their parents smiled as they began the 90 minute session that […]
Education: English Teacher Aims To Improve Opportunities Inside And Outside The Classroom
Kayla Conklin currently serves as the department head of the English department at Esperanza Academy Charter High School in West Hunting Park. That title is just one of many she holds at the school, mainly comprised of minority students in the surrounding neighborhoods. Between the hours of 8:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Conklin is either […]
Hunting Park: Program Leader Gives Back to the Next Generation of Lenfest Center Learners
As a youth in Hunting Park, Kysheen Wilson was always looking for a place that he could get excited about. In 2007, the Philadelphia Police Athletic League began to use the building on N.10th St. in Hunting Park for athletic activity for youths from ages 6-18. Wilson started taking advantage of the programs offered there almost […]