Pennsport: Christ Church South Philly Welcomes Community
Christ Church South Philly has impacted its Pennsport church community, emphasizing to its congregation the importance of love, family and praising Jesus Christ. The church began when its pastor, Jeff Boettcher (pictured below), wanted to broaden his horizons, start his own church and turned to church planting. Church planting is the practice of establishing a […]
South Philly: Police Athletic League Provides A Safe Haven For Youths
The Police Athletic League of Philadelphia was created in 1947 by a police sergeant who wanted to create a baseball team made up of neighborhood kids who wanted to play. Since then, PAL has worked to build strong relationships in the communities around the city. PAL has also worked to keep the image of the […]
South Philly: Retro Video Game Lover Opens Shop For People Who Love Tech
“I’ve made a lot of friends – the customers that come, most of the time they’re really good friends,” said Oscar Sosa Tapia, owner of King DVDs and Video Games. Kings DVDs and Video Games is a small store located at 1146 S. 9th St. in the Italian Market. Virtually every wall is covered with […]
South Philadelphia: Former Teacher Helps Others Work with Young People
Andrea DiMola, a former math teacher, is now the director of the Southeast Philadelphia Collaborative (SEPC). DiMola was born and raised in South Jersey. She received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics at The College of William and Mary, but then moved to Philadelphia for grad school at the University of Pennsylvania. DiMola has her master’s in education. SEPC […]
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 […]
South Philadelphia: Family Empowerment Services Brings Families Together
Lauren Fein works to bring the community together one family at a time. Though she grew up in Massachusetts, the 32-year-old has roots in South Philadelphia. Fein found her calling in social work and after completing graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, she decided to give back to her adoptive city. Now as the supervisor […]
Pennsport: Community Organization Provides Bright Future for Local Students
Groups of cheerful students skipped towards the colorful Southwark House at the corner of Ellsworth Street in Pennsport after school. Southwark is one of two facilities under United Communities Southeast Philadelphia. Established in 1969, the association has promoted educational and economic advancement among South Philadelphia residents for years. Operating on grants and donations, the organization offers many […]
South Philadelphia: Influx of Youth, Dwindling Faith and a Shifting Cultural Melting Pot
The idea of South Philadelphia generates several common images of cheesesteaks, rabid sports fans and scenes of Rocky Balboa running through the Italian Market. The South Philadelphia area, particularly east of Broad Street, had been one of the most popular landing spots for Italian immigrants moving to Philadelphia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The […]
Queen Village: Gloria Dei is More Than a Church
Want to hang out with a few of your church leaders from Gloria Dei the Old Swedes’ Episcopal Church? Look for them at the bar. “We grew the hops ourselves,” said Paula Minacci, one of the two church sextons. “Literally right here in the neighborhood.” Minacci, who is responsible for taking care of the church […]
South Philadelphia: Search Continues For Missing Dog In Stolen Car
What was intended as a quick errand to Home Depot turned into a nightmare for new Philadelphia resident, JJ Pierce. Leaving the store, she realized her red Honda-CRV was no longer in the parking lot, and Louie, her mixed black labrador, was inside the car. Around 8 p.m. on Oct. 9, Pierce went to the […]