East Falls: Friends of Mifflin, Principal Work Together To Drive Community Involvement
Wind howled and rain pelted down on East Falls, but inside the warm gymnasium at Thomas Mifflin Elementary School, smiling children ran around in colorful costumes to the sound of popular tunes put on by DJ Mighty Flip Side at the Mifflin Fall Festival and Carnival on Saturday, Oct. 27. Principal Leslie Mason (pictured above) bravely […]
North Philadelphia: Promoting Literacy To Parents And Children In Unlikely Places
A shave, a haircut … and a good book? A North Philadelphia barber shop is part of a program to help increase literacy and help strengthen the community. Jasmond Schoolfield, better known as “Jazz the Barber,” owns Creative Image Unisex Hair Salon at 2737 W. Cecil B. Moore Ave. Putting down his hair cutting tools, he takes […]
East Falls: EFCC Zoning Committee Tests Out New Meeting Spot And Timmons House Spared
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, community members gathered at Billy Murphy’s Irish Saloon for an East Falls Community Council’s (EFCC) zoning meeting. Presenters at the meeting included representatives from William Penn Charter School and the Kelly House. Murphy’s remained open for business while welcoming attendees of the zoning meeting. A projector screen was set up for […]
Juniata Park: First-Year Principal Goes The Extra Mile To Help Students Succeed
Emily Mary Trunfio, principal of One Bright Ray Community High School, doesn’t want to just help kids who struggle academically get a high school diploma. She wants to help them achieve success after they leave school as well. The school helps at-risk kids who are behind academically to catch up and get that ever-important diploma. […]
Center City: Four Groups Organize LOVE Park Rally Against Transgender Discrimination
Chants of, “Stand up! Fight back!” echoed throughout LOVE Park on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Hundreds gathered to vocalize their concerns about recent threats to transgender civil rights and to show support for the transgender community. The Rally for Trans Existence and Resistance, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Trans Equity Project, ACLU PA […]
Immigration: Alphabet Book Announced At Philadelphia’s Welcoming Week
A new alphabet book designed to promote insight into immigration was announced Friday, Sept. 14, at the kick-off of Philadelphia’s Welcoming Week, a weeklong event meant to forge dialogue between immigrants, non-immigrants, refugees and native born citizens. Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and teaching Arab culture through language and art, […]
Immigration Law: Glancing At History
President Donald Trump’s dedication to enacting a travel ban was finally approved by the Supreme Court on June 26 after the administration’s third revision of the policy finally passed in a 5-4 vote. It may appear that America is in a new era of immigration law, but U.S. presidents have always teetered back and forth […]
Immigration: Councilman Mark Squilla Helps Serve Immigrant Communities
Councilman Mark Squilla is the councilman for the First District in Philadelphia City Council. Squilla is the representative for several Philadelphia neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Kensington, Bella Vista, Northern Liberties, Fishtown and Port Richmond. A native of South Philadelphia, Squilla has been engaged in public service for close to 30 years, serving on the Philadelphia Democratic […]
Immigration: Kiera Kenney Connects African And Caribbean Immigrants And Refugees With Health And Social Services
The African Family Health Organization, located on Chestnut Street near 44th Street, works with African and Caribbean refugees to connect them with health and social services around the city. AFAHO’s services include ESL courses, case management programs and helping community members set up and go to doctor’s appointments. Kiera Kenney works as the manager of […]
Immigration: On A Student Visa, Manish Walia Studies More Than Just Chemistry
Manish Walia, 29, grew up in New Delhi, India but he didn’t dream of the United States, even as he watched Spider-Man and X-men cartoons as a child.