East Passyunk: Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia Reaches Those Needing Help In Community
The Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia is a non-profit organization that has offered free support and advocacy to victims and witnesses of crimes in South Philadelphia since its establishment in 1989. The advocates from the Victim/Witness Service work with victims of crimes that occur within the three South Philadelphia police districts. These districts are the […]
Kingsessing: African Cultural Alliance Pushes For Small Businesses
As a young child in Liberia helping her mother and aunt in the kitchen, Nafisa Sillah stumbled upon her passion for cooking. “I would mess up the food but I would fix it, cook, cook, and then, I just enjoyed it,” Sillah said. “I would cook and feed everybody, even if I don’t eat.” Once […]
Immigration: Five Ways To Support Immigrant Communities
Given America’s current political climate regarding immigration, many immigrant communities may feel at risk or even targeted. In a so-called sanctuary city like Philadelphia, immigrants can become active and engaged in community organizing to educate themselves and others about their rights in America. Here are five active organizations that offer educational programs and events for immigrant communities. Asian Arts Initiative […]
Immigration: Artist Mobilizes Immigrant Communities For Social Justice
Ten years ago, Michelle Angela Ortiz hoped to be where she is today – a successful visual artist, skilled muralist and community arts educator. For more than 18 years, Ortiz has been using art as a tool for communication between communities. Through painting, printmaking and community arts practices, Ortiz is able to share the narratives […]
City Politics: New Sanctuary Movement Responds To ICE “Safe City” Raids With Prayer
New Sanctuary Movement, an interfaith immigrant justice organization, held a prayer vigil and Sukkot ritual outside of the Philadelphia offices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday, October 5, in response to what ICE has titled “Operation Safe City.” The operation targeted individuals in sanctuary cities across the United States, culminating in a […]
Immigration: Using Art to Share the Asian American Migration Experience
Through the power of art, even the most complex stories of immigration and assimilation can be expressed. Located on the 1200 block of Vine Street, the Asian Arts Initiative has linked art and communities since 1993. AAI is a multidisciplinary arts center dedicated to exploring experiences of Asian Americans and bridging dialogue with diverse communities. […]
Northeast: Brain Waste Drags Down Immigrants And Economy
All along Bustleton Avenue are businesses built by foreign-born people who came to the U.S. in pursuit of a better life. Yet many highly educated and skilled immigrants are underemployed in Northeast Philadelphia and the U.S. “Over 40 percent of immigrants in Philadelphia hold at least a bachelor’s degree,” said Nikki Pumphrey, director of strategic […]
Northeast Philadelphia: A Home For Immigrants To Live
Since the ’80s, neighborhoods such as Bustleton, Somerton and Fox Chase have become a haven for Eastern European immigrants. Signs written in Russian can be seen throughout Bustleton Avenue, which hosts many immigrant businesses. One immigrant business featured along a strip mall at 9859 Bustleton Ave. is Palace Royal, a kosher restaurant owned by Ukrainian […]
Bustleton: Immigrant Businesses Booming Along Bustleton Avenue
Northeast Philadelphia has become a home for small immigrant businesses. Shopping centers along Bustleton Avenue feature many thriving businesses owned by immigrants from all over the world. With his restaurant not even two months old, Georgian Bread owner Imeda Londaridze looks forward to giving customers a taste from his old country. Despite his excitement to […]
Fox Chase: Survivor Of Danube Swabian Ethnic Cleansing Shares Her Story
Since the Danube Swabian Association moved to Fox Chase in 1972 it has been dedicated to passing on its Germanic culture and history, as well as honoring the memory of those lost to the ethnic cleansing in Yugoslavia in the 1940s. One Danube Swabian member, 89-year-old Katharina Marx, is a survivor of ethnic cleansing. Marx […]