April 2009 Issue 10
THE
Southwest
CORNER
A
COALITION MEMBER S Paul Bailey Tyrone Benson
By Marsha Wall
We all wish you well, Captain Washington!
ADVISORY PHILADELPHIA
SOUTHWEST SAYS FAREWELL TO CAPTAIN ANTHONY WASHINGTON
Ida Glenn
Rodney Buckson
Bruce Durham
SOUTHWEST
Y O A C A P
Ron George
Hanna Bryant Carl Burman Spencer Canty Andre Crews Agnes Currie Melvin Davis Clayton Dendy Stephanie Dixon Chad Enos Gregory Garrison Donna Gass
Captain Anthony Washington
Cassandra Graves Constance Harris Crews Mark Harrison
NEW BEGINNINGS
Lillian Hood
By Roger Wilkerson & Staff
Joanne Jones Vernon Keith Montague Marsha J. Moore Daryl Nelson Carol Payne Joe Purnell Christine Riddick Joanne Robinson Myra Robinson Michael Ross Eric Sabin Sims A’za Sims ChrisAnne Smith Yvette S. Smith Tara E. Smith Robert Stone
THE
O F
Captain Anthony Washington of the 12th Police District will be leaving in May 2009 to begin his work at the 19 th Police District located at 20th & Federal Streets, where he has been assigned permanently. Captain Daniel McDonald, who has commanded the 12th Police District before Captain Washington, has been re-assigned back to this position after returning from his deployment to Iraq. Captain Washington has only been with us 18 short months, but during that time, he has accomplished so much: Homicide rate is down 23% Shootings are down Arrest rate have increased Continuation of programs, such as Night Court and Bike Patrol Initiated the Cops and Kids Mural Arts Program Assisted the Southwest Community Advisory Group with two successful Turn In Your Guns campaigns.
Alexzina Bryant
COMMUNITY
GROUP
Audrey Allen
P R O J E C T
Marsha W. Wall Cassandra Whiters Roger Wilkerson Officer Joe Young
The Abstinence Program (YBE) has changed its name: the new name is Youth Mentored Against Crime (YMAC). Under their new name, the organization held their First Annual Membership Luncheon on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at Myers Recreation Center. YMAC was celebrating the initiation of 17 more members throughout Black History Month. During the ceremony, these youth pledged to abstain from crime, violence and YMAC’s Director, Roger Wilkerson, with YMAC member negative activity. In addition, YMAC is celebrating the recent launch of their new website on www.freewebs.com/ymac1, which will provide updated information and activities of the organization. YMAC’s Director, Roger Wilkerson, is truly expecting many visitors to their new website to sign the organization’s guest book. The group will continue to meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd Floor at Myers Recreation Center. For more information, please check their website at www.ymac1.webs.com or contact Roger Youth Mentored Against Crime (YMAC) members Wilkerson at 215.239.8668. at Myers Recreation Center
FUN RAFFLE AT ELMOOD SKATING RINK By Marsha Wall Skates rolling, music pumping, kids dropping and sliding under the watchful eye of their parents: Those were the sights and sound at the Elmwood Skating Rink at 2400 S. 71 st Street, on Monday, April 6, 2009. It was the No House Untouched First Skating Party and Raffle. Everyone was excited and hopeful during the drawing, where a home computer and a printer, $50 cash and two movie passes were raffled off. The complete home computer was donated by NHU’s Founder, Hanif Moore, and NHU members acknowledging raffle winners Alpha Tech Philly’s President Robert Barnes. His goal is to provide fully warranted computers to families for a minimum cost of $100. If you are interested in a computer, contact Alpha Tech Philly at 215.729.7600 or r.barnesa@aol.com. No House Untouched has their monthly committee meetings the second Tuesday of every month at Myers Recreation Center, at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Clayton Dendy at 267.939.2366.
WORDS TO REMEMBER
WARRIORS & WINNERS
By Cassandra Graves
By Constance Crews
The Southwest EPIC Stakeholders held their 3rd Annual Faith-based Luncheon “Coming Together: A Community of Unity - Yes We Can,” on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at New Spirit Community Presbyterian Church in Southwest Philadelphia. As part of this event, Christina Duncan, a 15-year old Southwest resident who attends Upper Darby High School, wrote an essay to honor the work of Pastor Evelyn Graves in the Southwest Philadelphia Community. She received accolades from the community, a standing ovation from her church (The Evelyn Graves Ministries Church) and her peers.
MY PASTOR: THE GREATEST PASTOR IN SW PHILADELPHIA By Christina Duncan My Pastor, Dr. Evelyn Graves, is a Christina Duncan wonderful woman and pastor who has achieved a lot. She sets a great example for the youth in our church by accomplishing so much and still being humble. Her story inspires us and shows us that we an achieve anything with God’s help. The way that she decided to minister through drama speaks into the hearts of the youth. It shows us that we don’t necessarily have to be a pastor, reverend, or evangelist to be able to minister. She also shows us that we can lift up the name of Jesus in everything that we do. Personally, she has inspired me to be a part of drama because I watched her plays and also witnessed souls being saved through them. These drama programs are also what keep kids off the streets for a while. I spend most of my day at church and that is what keeps me out of trouble and allows me to be more focused on God. Through my experience with the ministry of Dr. Evelyn Graves, I can honestly say that I think my pastor is the greatest pastor in Southwest Philadelphia.
Ex-Offenders Program Free HIV Testing Interested in Becoming A Block Captain 18+ Interested in finding a job Youth Basketball Abstinence Program Possum Complaints Rat Complaints Youth Track and Field Town Watch Integrated Services State Representative Ron Waters Office 12th Police District—Community Officer
F.Y.I. Call 215.685.3373 Call 215.724.7430 Call 267.939.2366 Call 215.729.2389 Call 215.939.6283 Call 215.239.8668 Call 267.385.3800 Call 215.685.9000 Call 215.219.0792 Call 215.686-1422 Call 215.748.6712 Call 215.686.3122
The Higher Ground Warrior Girls AAU Basketball Team
The Higher Ground Warrior Girls AAU Basketball Team were winners of their division at In The Zone Basketball Tournament in Bath, PA, on Sunday, April 5, 2009. They won both their games on Saturday, which automatically entered them into the semi-finals and finals on Sunday. They also won both games on Sunday. This was their first tournament of their upcoming tournament season. The Higher Ground Warriors also participated in the Kingsessing-Myers Developmental Basketball League that took place during the months of October through December. These games were played at Kingsessing and Myers Recreation Centers. Teams attended workshop sessions before their games . They also participated in the Sixers Neighborhood Basketball League at Kingsessing Recreation Center. The tournament championship games were on Saturday, April 11th, for ages 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under, and 16 & under. The Higher Ground Warriors, which is a Basketball and Enrichment Program, has male and female AAU teams for ages 12 & under, 14 & under, and 16 & under. The females will be now having their practices at Kingsessing on Tuesday and Saturday. For more information, please call 215.939.6283. The School District of Philadelphia would like to invite the parents of public school students in grades 7th — 11th to their
Help Line Ms. Hanna Bryant Mr. Clayton Dendy Ms. Marsha Wall Ms. Connie Crews Mr. Roger Wilkerson Hotline Hotline Hotline Ms. Tara Smith Mr. Nathaniel Lee Officer Joe Young
EARLY PREPARATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PARENT CONFERENCE at Temple University, Ritter Hall—Walk Auditorium 13th & Montgomery Streets On Saturday, May 2, 2009 From 9:00 AM to 12 noon LIMITED SEATING: Please RSVP by APRIL 27 For more information and to RSVP call: 215.400.4130 Attendees will receive a copy of the book WINNING THE COLLEGE ADMISSION GAME, by Peter Van Buskirk
Registration and Breakfast begin promptly at 9:00 AM.