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 […]
West Poplar: Helping Hand Rescue Mission Transforms the Lives of Those in Need
[vimeo 69121007] Helping Hand Rescue Mission has given homeless and impoverished people within its community a chance to revitalize their lives through religion and its services. Located at 610 N. 6th St., the mission offers Thursday night Bible studies for those in need. About 25 homeless people line up at the fence outside of the […]
West Poplar: Children Find Hope for a Better Life at Helping Hand Rescue Mission
[vimeo 69121881] Founded in 1905, Helping Hand Rescue Mission is a place where those in the community can come together as one. Originally created to help the homeless, it has also become a way for children to stay off the streets. Eight years ago, Adam Bruckner came to Philadelphia looking for a way to start a […]
Plan Philly: West Poplar Locksmith’s Faded Sign Gets Repainted
With the 115th anniversary of the Hermann Henssler Locksmith came the repainting of its faded business sign at the corner of 13th and Cambridge streets. Fifth-generation locksmith John Henssler was in disbelief when a stranger in bright-colored clothing, riding a bright bicycle, strolled into the shop asking if he wanted his sign repainted for free. Henssler […]
Plan Philly: Poplar Library Branch Embraces Technology and Social Media
[vimeo 67815196] Limited Internet access does not stop East and West Poplar residents from getting online. The 255 daily visitors of the Ramonita G. de Rodriguez Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia are primarily there to use the computer services. In a 2012 article by Technically Philly, reporter Brian James Kirk revealed that 55 […]
West Poplar: Tennis Center Aims to Strengthen Community Ties
Nestled in between Girard Avenue and the redeveloped Richard Allen Homes lies the Althea Gibson Community Education and Tennis Center, an education and sports based program that services between 300 and 500 youths a year. The facility, open year round, offers after-school and summer programs for youth between the ages of 8 and 17, including […]