Education: Councilwoman Helen Gym, “I need a big vision for the school district that people believe in.”
Helen Gym (D) is a, at-large Philadelphia City Council member and vocal education advocate. Her goal in public office has been to to tackle widespread poverty through creating a quality public education system – the same system she taught in and put her children through. Philadelphia Neighborhoods spoke with Councilwoman Gym on the phone to discuss the […]
Kensington: Organization Unites Community To Save Classrooms And Empower Educators
Over the past few years, the educational funding crisis in Philadelphia has continued to cut jobs and important programs while class sizes have grown, leaving many classrooms with a lack of basic resources and a teacher to student ratio of 16 to 1. Philadelphia school budgets began being cut in 2011, when the Philadelphia School […]
Mantua: Rabbit Run Promotes Exercise as Medicine for Parkinson’s Patients
Jodi Cianci is serious about her workouts. She trains as if her life depended on it – because it does. “I treat my exercise like a doctor’s appointment,” Cianci said. Cianci was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010 when she was just 49, but has been dealing with early onset symptoms of the chronic illness since […]
Northwest: School Funding a Major Issue in Mayor Race
While the race to see who will become Philadelphia’s next mayor revolves around a number of issues facing the city, the issue that appears to be at the forefront is funding for the city’s district and charter schools. Not only is the Northwest section of Philadelphia home to many public and charter schools, like Roxborough […]
Waterfront: Pier by Pier, Delaware River Group Aims to Make Philly Greener
If you manage to avoid sliding down the soggy slope that separates Wal-Mart from the uninviting, trash-ridden space that is Pier 68 in South Philadelphia, you’ll see a sign of things to come. Nestled between signs warning of danger, video surveillance and prosecution for trespassing, is a sign promising something better in the future. “Coming […]
Powelton Village: As School Libraries Close, a Non-Profit Fills the Void
[vimeo 80776295] It’s no secret that the School District of Philadelphia has fallen on hard times. The district has to work with the budget it has set and because of this budget there have been many staff layoffs. Among those laid off include principals, assistant principals, secretaries and teachers. One position that was hit hard were […]
Powelton Village: Community Education Center Faces Fiscal Troubles
More than $1.5 million was given out to local arts groups earlier this year. The Philadelphia Cultural Fund distributes grants yearly to help keep community organizations providing services to residents. Awards range from a couple of hundred dollars to $10,000. These funds play a fundamental role in helping keep the doors open of the Community […]
North Philadelphia: Summit Discusses Education Problems in Hispanic Community
White House officials attended a summit held at Temple University’s Howard Gittis Student Center, joining area residents and professionals to discuss issues facing the Hispanic community in education, especially higher education. The summit, hosted last weekend by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, is one of many similar meetings staged around the […]
University City: Making Space for the Arts
In University City, production areas are not only a place for artists to build and produce, but for artists to collaborate. University City is home to many galleries. Several of these serve not only to house and display art, but to provide a meeting place for artists to coexist and co-create. The owners of such […]
University City: Artists Band Together to Overcome Funding Shortfalls
The arts are a frequent target for budget cuts from the state, but local artists have worked together to combat this financial barrier. Each year, less and less money is allotted for arts funding. This has resulted in fewer opportunities for artists in many communities in Philadelphia. “A couple of years ago I applied for […]