June 2009 Issue 12
THE
Southwest
CORNER
A
P R O J E C T
O F
Y O A C A P
Saving One Village COALITION MEMBER S Paul Bailey Tyrone Benson Alexzina Bryant Hanna Bryant
Bruce Durham
SOUTHWEST
PHILADELPHIA
ADVISORY
Rodney Buckson Carl Burman
COMMUNITY
GROUP
Audrey Allen
Spencer Canty Andre Crews Agnes Currie Melvin Davis Clayton Dendy Stephanie Dixon Chad Enos Gregory Garrison Donna Gass Ron George Ida Glenn Cassandra Graves Constance Harris Crews
By Christina Williams
Above: Basketball teams for Shaw MS and the 12th Police Department. Top right: Russell Raleigh, Athletic Coach & Disciplinarian, and Christina Williams from Shaw MS. Left: Sonia Haynes, from the Health Department, Robin Holts, from Philadelphia Healthy Start, with a participant and Christina Williams from Shaw Middle School.
A fun, free, family and community event took place on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at Kingsessing Recreation Center. Saving Our Village, “One Family at a Time” was sponsored by Creating A Village, Inc., along with the Shaw Middle School, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health – Philadelphia Healthy Start Program and the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs’ – Healthy Homes for Childcare. This event was an opportunity for families and the community to come together for a community forum to discuss important issues affecting their quality of life. Representatives from the 12th District Police Department, Representative Ronald Waters, State Representative Kenyatta Johnson and State Senator office, and various health & social service programs were there to answer questions and provide information about available services in the community. Representatives from many organizations throughout the city provided additional information about services at staffed resources tables. There were yoga demonstrations and acupuncture demonstrations. “The Little Connies” provided entertainment and face painting was available for the children. The highlight of the evening was the much anticipated basketball game between the faculty of the Shaw Middle School and the 12 th District Police Department. We thank all volunteers and vendors for their participation in this great effort to “Save Our Village” One Family At A Time. An important relationship between school, community and law enforcement was cultivated. What a great day!
Mark Harrison Lillian Hood
A DAY IN THE PARK:
MIRACLE’S DAY
Vernon Keith Montague
A DAY TO REMEMBER
Marsha J. Moore
By Nathaniel Lee & Staff
On May 30, the President of Youth Performance, Division of Southwest Positive, Powerful Advocates for Change (SW/PPAC), Miracle Moore Princess Miracle Moore, th participated in the 6 Piano Recital organized by Mr. Gerald Carter, renowned composer and piano minister, who is the Director and Founder of Keyboard Works in Southwest Philadelphia. The SW/PPAC is a faith-based organization funded by SCOP, whose mission is to encourage, empower and bring resources to SW Philadelphia families. If you would like to know more about SW/PPAC, please contact Ms. Marsha Moore at 215.727.0595.
Joanne Jones
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
ONE FAMILY AT A TIME
Marsha W. Wall Cassandra Whiters Roger Wilkerson Officer Joe Young
The Jayhawks Youth Association’s annual “Day In The Park” was held at Kingsessing Recreation Center, Saturday, June 13th. This community event featured a basketball tournament, live entertainment and lots of delicious foods for those in attendance. The smell of fried fish was in the air. Activities included moon bouncers for children and a dunk tank among other things. Resource tables with useful information were also available for adults. On-site were members of the SWCAG, supporters and participants of the event. Overcast skies did not damper the festivities or the zestful atmosphere. Special shout out to Mr. & Mrs. Crews of Jayhwaks, their staff and volunteers for hosting such a fabulous event. If you missed it, we will see you next year!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT The Southwest Philadelphia Community Advisory Group (SWCAG) is pleased to introduce Ms. Marsha Wall as the new President of the organization, as well as Dr. Cassandra Graves as the Vice-President. Both members have been active participants of the SWCAG since its creation in June 2007, and they were elected democratically by its members. Ms. Wall and Dr. Graves have notably contributed to the development of the organization and have worked hard with all the SWCAG members and the community as a whole, to reduce violence in the Southwest Philadelphia area.
SWCAG’s President, Ms. Marsha Wall (above), and Vice-President, Dr. Cassandra Graves (pictured in article below)
THE SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA LEGACY CONTINUES On Sunday, June 14, 2009, our recently elected Vice-President, Cassandra Graves, received her Doctorate of Divinity from Jameson School of Theology in Wilmington, Delaware. The graduation ceremony with nearly 500 graduates was held at the New Covenant Church, located at 7500 Germantown Avenue, in Philadelphia. The Dean of the Wilmington campus, Dr. Beverly Clayburn, said about Dr. Graves: “You have done well in your lifetime and it speaks for you.” Dr. Graves works for the Evelyn Graves Ministries in Southwest Philadelphia since 1982. She Dr. Cassandra Graves serves as an Associate Director of the Evelyn Graves Drama Productions, Director of the Evelyn Graves School of Performing Arts, and as Teacher, Marketing Consultant and community liaison engaging in the healing arts to audiences from Seoul, Korea, to U.S.’s South Carolina. Cassandra is often seen in meetings & events throughout the city where she shares her management skills, creative artistry, along with her calm spirit. Dr. Graves currently lives in the Delaware County; nevertheless, she spends 12 hours a day, 6 days a week in Kingsessing and the Greater Delaware Valley caring for children and adults through advocacy in the healing and cultural arts. Can any good thing come out of Southwest Philadelphia? The answer is a resounding yes. Dr. Cassandra’s academic experience came from public schools in Southwest Philadelphia, Millersville University, University of Massachusetts, and Jameson School of Theology. A fine example of what can be done when individuals press pass enormous obstacles. As Dr. Cassandra Graves stated, “It wasn’t easy. However, if I can make it, anybody can make it. Keep the dream alive.” Congratulations on such a great achievement, Dr. Graves!
F.Y.I. Ex-Offenders Program Free HIV Testing Interested in Becoming A Block Captain 18+ Interested in finding a job Youth Basketball Abstinence Program Town Watch Integrated Services State Representative Ron Waters Office 12th Police District—Community Officer Senator Anthony Williams’s Office Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia
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 215.686-1422 Call 215.748.6712 Call 215.686.3122 Call 215.492.2980 Call 1.888.570.2583
Help Line Ms. Hanna Bryant Mr. Clayton Dendy Ms. Marsha Wall Ms. Connie Crews Mr. Roger Wilkerson Ms. Tara Smith Mr. Nathaniel Lee Officer Joe Young Alicia Burbage Hotline
REGISTER TO… PLAY! It’s now time to register your child for track / field, football, cheerleading, and basketball at the Kingsessing and Myers Recreation Centers. Not only do we want to register the youth, we also need adult volunteers to support the many children from our communities. Coaches, mentors, and instructors are needed with each of the activities to ensure enough supervision and positive adult reinforcement. A cheerleading instructor is being recruited by the Roadrunner Football Organization, one of the city’s long-standing youth organized football team. If you are interested in volunteering with the many neighborhood teams, please contact Ms. Marsha Wall at 15.729.2389.
If you would like to have a Southwest Philadelphia
Resource Guide mailed to you, please call 215.851.1836