Northwest Philadelphia: Jumpstart Germantown Looks to Revitalize the Community One Property at a Time
Jumpstart Germantown is a redevelopment program that was established in April, 2014 by Mount Airy real estate developer Ken Weinstein. The organization tackles the problems of blighted properties in the Northwest by training a new generation of developers how to invest in and revitalize real estate. “I liked taking junk, something like old buildings, and doing […]
South Philadelphia West: At OFC Philly, Kids Are Encouraged To Screw Up
Finding an educational yet fun activity for children can be a difficult task. Many times, kids aren’t doing more than coloring outside the lines and playing with dolls or trucks. At OFC Philly in South Philadelphia, Nick and Erin Offenbacher are teaching local children how to build their own toy trucks. The Children’s Woodworking Class finds its home inside a […]
South Philadelphia: Local Tree Planters Breathe Life Into Community
Finding the time and energy to maintain one’s property can be a daunting task in a city like Philadelphia. In certain neighborhoods, having “curb appeal” can be as simple as not having a pileup of trash on your sidewalk. For the many local groups involved with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Tree Tenders program, beautification takes […]
Point Breeze: Redevelopment Brings Residents To The Table
In August, the group formally known as Newbold Neighbors Association took a leap in creating inclusivity in the Point Breeze community. The civic association that serves the area between 18th and Broad Streets and Washington and Passyunk Avenues chose to rename their organization to the East Point Breeze Neighbors (EPBN), to acknowledge the history of […]
South Philadelphia: After-School Engagement is Combatting Youth Violence
A bell rang in the distance. The neighborhood was quiet at first, a cool breeze rustling fallen leaves through Stinger Park. Within minutes, the dynamic changed. Children and young teens came barreling through the quaint park from Alcorn Elementary across the street and their high school counterparts strolled casually down the sidewalk. School was out, and the not-so-subtle […]
Point Breeze: Community Organization Seeks Neighborhood Engagement
Alice Shockley has lived in Point Breeze for the past 79 years and has no plans of leaving. The 85-year-old retired nurse has been an active member of Neighbors in Action for the past 10 years, where she currently serves as vice president. Shockley has witnessed the largely residential Point Breeze community undergo demographic shifts affecting […]
South Philadelphia: Indoor Baseball Facility Allows Year-Round Growth
Joe Messina loves the art of pitching. Involved in baseball in South Philadelphia for the past quarter-century, Messina has been an assistant coach for the Neumann-Goretti High School baseball team for the past 11 years. He has held the title of pitching coach for the last eight. “I’m a pitching guy through and through,” said […]
Point Breeze: Organization Provides Leadership Services to Strengthen Community
An organization where people can learn and grow on the basis of creating a well-rounded community is essential to the South Philly neighborhood of Point Breeze. “Diversified Community Services is a neighborhood-based nonprofit, so we target our services to the South Philadelphia community, particularly the Point Breeze community,” said Siria Rivera, the director of Two […]
Point Breeze: The Poeticians Creates Platform For Local Spoken Word, Hip-Hop Artists
The track rang out of the laptop speakers, while Rafeeq Davis looked down at his composition book. He bobbed his head in sync with the beat, waiting for a point to jump in before firing off his lines. Davis got halfway down the page before he tripped up, but laughed it off as he grabbed […]
Point Breeze: Looking Down The Line For This Community
Back on a cold day in January, Steve Sabo sat by his desk as the sunlight came down through the windows of the Point Breeze Community Development Corporation building at 20th and Federal streets. “It gets pretty warm here in the afternoon with the sun beating in,” he said, smiling as he joked that it saves money […]