Social Issues

As food insecurity and financial precarity increase, demand for services are needed now more than ever. Several non-profit organizations have changed their operations so that clients, volunteers, and staff can operate safely and, when it matters, in person. [continue reading…]

The protest followed demonstrations in which police used tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against civilians. Organizers demanded Mayor Kenney resign in response and for the police to be defunded. [continue reading…]

“I’ve always been into dresses,” Atiya Lewis said, her voice filling the basement studio on North Moss Street in West Philadelphia. All around, curvy mannequins eavesdrop. They’re dressed in embellished evening gowns, as if awaiting [continue reading…]

Community activists and others gathered at City Hall on June 10 for a demonstration demanding funding cuts to the Philadelphia Police Department, joining dozens of similar municipal calls-to-action since the nation erupted in protest two [continue reading…]

Homeless support services are working harder than ever to protect the high risk and vulnerable homeless community from contracting COVID-19. Homelessness is difficult under any circumstances, but researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Boston University [continue reading…]

Activism, in general, is a physical practice requiring public and face-to-face interaction. For some Philadelphia activists, COVID-19 has meant rethinking tactics. With social distancing measures restricting how much can be done in person, activists have [continue reading…]

Our special reporting on COVID-19 may focus on communities outside Philadelphia as many of our student journalists are no longer in the city. Instead, our reporters will cover how the coronavirus is impacting the their [continue reading…]

Many local nonprofits struggle to keep the doors open due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with significant implications.  These nonprofits serve communities and readily provide resources, even during a public health crisis. But many face the uncertainty [continue reading…]