Germantown: One Man’s Army of Suits Gives Opportunities to Others
WAY Haberdashery, located at 1605 Rockland St., is home to the WAY Foundation. Marine veteran Stephen Fortt (above) has run the non-profit for nearly a decade and has provided professional attire for thousands of people. Providing resources for individuals in need is the mission at Wardrobe for Adolescents and Youth. Fortt, executive director of the […]
Bustleton: Helping Immigrants Navigate a New World
For adults who have recently immigrated to the United States, whether working or unemployed, daily life can often be a struggle in and of itself. Resources to cultivate educational opportunities or to develop second-language skills may be more scarce than one thinks, and a life of poverty and feelings of being an outcast are sometimes […]
Passyunk: City’s Immigrant Population Receives Practical Language Skills with Help from Iron Chef
With nine restaurants in Philadelphia alone, Iron Chef Jose Garces is synonymous with the city’s culinary culture. A second generation immigrant, Garces uses his success to support the Garces Foundation, his nonprofit that works to create practical opportunities for the city’s immigrant population. Started by Jose Garces and his wife, Beatriz Mirabal Garces, the Foundation […]
Hunting Park: Esperanza Trains Young Martial Artists
A line of children stood stiff as boards as Tony Gonzalez carefully examined their stances. Students who did not listen to instructions did pushups. Students who arrived late did pushups. No, this was not a Marine Corps boot camp but the new Taekwondo class taught at Esperanza Health Center in Hunting Park. Esperanza, a Christian […]
Poverty: Five Free Meal Volunteer Opportunities
Around 50 million Americans are living in food-insecure households. With recent cuts in SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food pantries and free meal programs are feeling the burden of Philly’s growing population living in hunger. Despite federally funded aid programs like SNAP, many Philadelphians are still unable to feed their households. In a 2011 […]
Spruce Hill and Walnut Hill: Local Bands Gear Up for Clark Park Fest
Since 1970, the Clark Park Music and Arts Festival has been a summer staple in the West Philadelphia area, attracting local musical acts, artists and vendors. This year’s festival is at the end of the month, but preparations have been underway since late March. “There’s a number of different attractions we have,” said Joshua Craft, owner […]
Fairhill: Historic Fairhill Cleans Up the Neighborhood
Modest and unassuming Quaker memorials at the Fairhill Burial Ground reach no taller than a shinbone and stand in great contrast to the looming trees growing throughout the cemetery. “Quakers believe in the inherent equality of all people and that no one person is over another,” said Brandi Levine, executive director of Historic Fairhill Inc. […]
Al Día: Philadelphia Nonprofit Helps the Latino Immigrant Community
[vimeo 62800136] A large crowd recently gathered for a rally at Love Park in support of immigration reform. Several organizations including Juntos were involved with the event. One of the key speakers was Miguel Andrade. He is the youth organizer for Juntos. “I myself am an immigrant,” said Andrade. ” I know firsthand what it’s like […]
Tioga/Nicetown: Community Legal Services Opens New Law Center
For over 40 years, Community Legal Services has been providing low-income residents with free legal help. With a new, more convenient location and over 10 areas of specialization, residents are able to turn to a dependable source for help. In a neighborhood where the poverty level is 24 percent greater than the average level in […]
Hunting Park: Healthcare Center Provides More Than Just Medical Treatment
Tucked away on an unassuming, hidden street that runs on a diagonal path, the Esperanza Health Center has been serving the Hunting Park neighborhood since December. Located on 4417 N. Sixth St., the primary-care facility is a key component of the community-wide revitalization that has positively affected the area in the last few years. The […]