Brewerytown: Girard-Dream Garden An Attempt To Integrate Bordering Neighborhoods
In 2011, the Brewerytown CDC and the Fairmount CDC collaborated to turn an abandoned lot into a space the two neighborhoods could put to use, creating the foundation for the community run Girard-Dream Garden. With the help of a grant from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, the Fairmount CDC was able to select and […]
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 […]
Brewerytown: Coffee Shop Doubles as a Resource for Former Foster Youths
Though it seems like an ordinary coffee shop, The Monkey & The Elephant in Brewerytown is an entirely unique organization. Its only employees, besides management, are young people who have just recently exited the foster system. Lisa Miccolis, the founder and executive director of The Monkey & The Elephant, pictured above, had years of experience working […]
Germantown: Officer Ernest Pollard Helps Keep Inner City Youth Off the Streets
Those around him have often recognized Officer Ernest Pollard (above) for his dedication and desire to help others inside of the Goldie Paley PAL Center, as well as on the streets of Philadelphia … and on the basketball court. The Paley PAL Center, located on Germantown Avenue, is where Pollard spends much of his time during the […]
South Philly: Police Athletic League Provides A Safe Haven For Youths
The Police Athletic League of Philadelphia was created in 1947 by a police sergeant who wanted to create a baseball team made up of neighborhood kids who wanted to play. Since then, PAL has worked to build strong relationships in the communities around the city. PAL has also worked to keep the image of the […]
Oxford Circle: PAL Helps Neighborhood Youth Succeed
The Oxford Circle Police Athletic League is part of a nonprofit organization that seeks to build relationships between police officers and children within the neighborhood. Its goal is to keep kids off the street and to give them a safe place to come and have fun while learning valuable life lessons. Three years ago, Officer Bruno Estevez […]
West Kensington: Peace Corps Alumnus Continues Work With Latino Community
Entering the Norris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP) is an experience in itself. With bright colors, the side-by-side row homes create a place that becomes a safe haven for youth in Kensington. Through numerous after-school programs, garden projects and summer work opportunities, the NSNP works to support and bring together the Latino youth community. Justin Trezza, the […]
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 […]
South Philadelphia: Former Teacher Helps Others Work with Young People
Andrea DiMola, a former math teacher, is now the director of the Southeast Philadelphia Collaborative (SEPC). DiMola was born and raised in South Jersey. She received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics at The College of William and Mary, but then moved to Philadelphia for grad school at the University of Pennsylvania. DiMola has her master’s in education. SEPC […]
Germantown: A Place for Young Mothers to Call Home
Covenant House is a non-governmental, international organization that serves teenage and adolescent runaway homeless and trafficked youth. They have the only five beds in the entire city of Philadelphia that is specifically targeted for teenage and adolescent mothers and babies. “One of the reasons some young kids would be kicked out of their home is […]