West Philadelphia: Libraries “Plant A Seed” That Brings Success And Literacy For West Philly Children
Out of the 339 schools within the Philadelphia School District, only eight have full-time paid certified librarians. Louis Lozzi, a Philadelphia native and teacher said that the lack of library funding in the school system has been an issue since he began his teaching career 15 years ago. “I’m used to being in schools without […]
Powelton Village: Connecting West Philly’s Community Leaders
Ryan Draving’s goal is to seek out leaders in West Philadelphia and bring them together. He was part of a group which helped more than two dozen organizations in West Philly put on the West Philadelphia Community Action Fair last April. Draving, a senior partner at Manayunk-based consultancy Muhlenhaupt + Company, LLC, grew up in Jenkintown and […]
Belmont: Bringing Authentic Jamaican Food to the Heart of West Philly
From a rural area in Manchester Parish, Jamaica to the bustling hustle of Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia, the Williams family is well known for making authentic and savory Jamaican cuisine. “We were the family back in Jamaica that would host all of the big block parties and cookouts for all of the neighbors,” said […]
Powelton Village: Cooking and Learning at Drexel University’s Dornsife Center
On the first night of June, residents from Powelton Village and Mantua attended a cooking class at Drexel University’s Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, at Dornsife’s Community Wellness Hub. The cooking instruction was led by Alyssa Kalter, an educator for EAT.RIGHT.NOW., the official nutrition education program of the School District of Philadelphia. The program is funded by the […]
Mantua: Neighborhood Bike Works Provides Mobility and Independence
Neighborhood Bike Works’ Summer Camp has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in 1996, now providing both kids and adults practical mechanical skills, development opportunities and the empowerment and ownership of a bicycle. The nonprofit bike education program, located at 3939 Lancaster Ave., is in a unique location in that it sits at the intersection of several distinct neighborhoods […]
Powelton Village: Five Churches Supporting the Community
The Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia is known for housing a unique blend of students, artists and activists but it is also home to a rich tapestry of religious organizations. One three-block stretch of Baring Street in the heart of the neighborhood, for example, is lined with four churches and a religious student center. […]
Powelton Village: Arts Community Leader Passes The Torch After 20 Years Of Service
After 20 years with the Community Education Center in West Philadelphia, Theresa Shockley is ready to hand over the reins as Executive Director. Prior to Shockley’s time at CEC, she was a student at the Ohio State University Dance Department. After college, Shockley became a founding member of the Urban Bush Women dance company, touring around the country […]
Powelton Village: A Neighborhood In Transition
Usually when a person’s name is drawn from a hat, they gain something. But when Linn Washington had his name called hours before one of Philadelphia’s most controversial events, he almost lost his head. Literally. “On August 8, 1978, the police quite surprisingly allowed six journalists to come within the police lines and essentially be […]
Amateur Sports: Nonprofits Help Homeless Beyond Athletics
Street Soccer USA On any given night in the United States, there are approximately 564,708 people who are counted as homeless. On any given night in this country, there are also 39,907 unaccompanied youth between the ages of 18-24. As of 2014, at a local level, between 30 and 40 percent of Philadelphia’s youth live […]
Powelton Village: Lancaster Mews Gets Historic
Lancaster Mews, a row of apartments and businesses on the 3600 block of Lancaster Avenue will keep its 19th century architecture after a city commission ruled on its importance. Last month, sites around the city were given historic designations by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Along with Mews, Satterlee Heights and the Edward Corner Building in Fishtown […]