August 2009 Issue 13
THE
Southwest
CORNER
A
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
O F
Y O A C A P
NO BLOCK UNTOUCHED By Shanita Singletary & Staff On Tuesday, July 25, 2009, Captain Daniel McDonald of the 12th Police District presented the 12th Police District Community Service Award to Southwest Philadelphia’s No House Untouched. The organization was represented by its Executive Board, Bruce Durham, Clayton Dendy, and Marsha Wall, along with Marsha Moore; all members of the Southwest Community Advisory Group. The ceremony was held at New No House Untouched members (from left) Bruce Durham, Spirit Presbyterian Church, located on Clayton Dendy and Marsha Wall, with Captain Daniel 58th & Chester Avenue. It was part of McDonald (second on left) who gave the award for their great th the Second Annual 12 District Block community service in Southwest Philadelphia. Captains’ Luncheon, which gathered more than 100 block captains from the Southwest Philadelphia area. If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain, please contact Bruce Durham at 215.726.8841 or Clayton Dendy at 267.939.2366.
Cassandra Graves Constance Harris Crews Mark Harrison Lillian Hood 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
P R O J E C T
Marsha W. Wall Cassandra Whiters Roger Wilkerson Officer Joe Young
THANKFUL HEARTS The Southwest Positive Powerful Advocates For Change (SW/PPAC), the Southwest Community Advisory Group (SWCAG), and the entire Southwest Philadelphia community would like to thank Elder Elmwood Pascal and his wife, Mrs. Patty Pascal, for their great efforts in supporting our community through From left: Hector Dunn, Elder Elmwood Pascal, his wife New Spirit Church’s activities and its Patty Pascal, and Deacon Marsha Moore, at the graduation celebration of Mr. & Mrs. Pascal’s son at Delaware County’s community programs. Firehouse in Colwyn (Engine 42) on June 28th, 2009. Elder Pascal currently resides in Norwood, PA with his family. However, he was born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, and never lost touch with the area. With contribution from other residents in Norwood, PA, he and his wife have assisted the Southwest Philadelphia area in various ways and for many years. The latest support Elder Pascal and his wife provided were significant supplies for SW/PPAC’s Beautification Day, celebrated on Saturday, August 15, 2009. SW/PPAC is a faith-based ministry in Southwest Philadelphia that provides supplies, information and guidance through their different programs to the entire community. Thank you, Elder Elmwood Pascal and Mrs. Patty Pascal, for your support in improving our community! If you would like to get more information about the Pascal Family or to know more about the SW/PPAC’s community programs, please contact New Spirit Church’s Deacon and SW/PPAC’s founder, Ms. Marsha Moore, at 215.727.0595.
ROGER WILKERSON:
LEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Roger Wilkerson’s commitment to his community is stronger than ever. Last year, he co-founded Youth Mentored Against Crime (YMAC), a community organization that mentors youth from Southwest Philadelphia to help them develop into positive young adults. With only one year of operation, YMAC has been recently sponsored by Amazing Alpha Lodge to become a non-profit organization. Mr. Wilkerson’s community service began several years ago, when he was only 21 years old: He was a Navy Hospital Corpsman in California. He earned several military medals, such as two Navy Achievement medals, as well as 14 years of recognized good conduct. He was discharged as Chief Hospital Corpsman at E7 Rank. He decided to pursue a career as a Nurse and was accepted at Saint Phillips Community College in San Antonio, TX. As soon as he earned his degree, he moved back to hometown, Southwest Philadelphia, and began working as a nurse at VA Medical Center in West Philadelphia. Shortly afterward, he began his ALL CONCERNED RESIDENTS: community service by becoming President of Overbrook High School and its Home The Southwest Epic Stakeholders School Association, through which he was able to mentor youth. Monthly meeting: Thursday, September 17th, 2009 His own children are the perfect example of positive mentoring: Shana (21), who is John Bartram High School (2401 South 67th St) pursuing her Management Degree at the Community College of Philadelphia; DeShaun 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (18), recently graduated from Overbrook High School; and Quennel (24), who followed Please RSVP by calling in his father steps, currently serving as active duty officer in the Army at Fort Bragg, Lois Clayton: 215.730.2262 Or email at Eclayton@pcv.org North Carolina. Quennel had two service tours to Iraq. The Southwest Community Advisory Group is very proud of Mr. Wilkerson’s Philadelphia Jayhawks Youth Association’s commitment to service in Southwest Philadelphia, and we salute his great work. Philadelphia Jayhawks Girls’ Basketball League
A SUMMER OF PEACE
starts on
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 6:00 P.M.— 8:00 P.M. Kingsessing Recreation Center For more information, contact Connie Crews at 215.939.6283
Southwest Philadelphia residents had the opportunity to witness the closing exercise of Evelyn Graves Day Camp on Friday, August 21, 2009, during an entire day full of fun and enriching activities. The Evelyn Graves Day Camp strongly promotes the performing arts in youth and teens. The open air performance at 55th Street State Rep. Ronald G. Waters’s and Chester Avenue featured "A Summer SENIOR FISH FRY of Peace," a collection of artistic renderings Friday, September 18, 2009 engaging youth vocal expressions, dance Presbyterian Home — 11 AM to 2 PM For more information, call movement, and a peace mural with a Nathaniel Lee at 215.748.6712 creative skit featuring the song "Lean on Me." From 10:00 a.m. until 4 p.m., special presentations were given by Ms. Marsha Wall, President of the Southwest Community Advisory Group, and Ms. Josephine Blow, Chester Avenue Business District. Dr. Evelyn Graves, Founder and Director of Evelyn Dr. Evelyn Graves presented to Ms. Jean Curtis, former Block Captain of Graves Ministries, with the youth that participated this year in the Evelyn Graves Day Camp. 55th Street, the Southwest Philadelphia Community Ambassador Award before an enthusiast crowd of well-wisher, which included parents, community members, and over fifty youth. The events were free and open to everyone. Refreshments donated by the community were served, including barbeque chicken and tasty salads. For more information about Evelyn Graves Drama Productions, please contact Dr. Cassandra Graves at 215.727.7796 or egdrampro@aol.com.
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
Evelyn Graves School of Performing Arts 5447 Chester Ave. - Phila., PA 19143
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
Classes begin Saturday, October 10 2009
Classes include: Piano, drums, voice, drama & dance Discount rate (advance payment): 10% off yearly 5% off by semester For more information call:
215.727.7796 Supported by the Department Of Human Services