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.
Latinx: Julia Rivera And Congreso Focus Mission For Latin Americans In Philadelphia
The nonprofit Congreso de Latinos Unidos serves Philadelphia’s Latino population and offers more than 50 programs, like health insurance education and enrollment sessions, support for seniors living independently and work readiness. Congreso doesn’t have any services specifically focused on immigrants, but its website notes an increase in Latin American immigrants in the city and the population it […]
Immigration: Cambodian Youth Leader Talks Literacy Challenges And Solutions
Rex Yin has been the youth development coordinator at the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia for the last three years. He said his favorite part of the job is seeing the growth of the students he works with. Yin helps lead several youth programs, including the SumOur Roots program, a collaboration with VietLead and the Bhutanese […]