December 2009 Issue 14
THE
Southwest
CORNER
A
P R O J E C T
O F
Y O A C A P
ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING 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 Mark Harrison Lillian Hood Joanne Jones Vernon Keith Montague
A PROMISING FUTURE Miracle Moore, the daughter of SWCAG member Marsha Moore, was bestowed with the Community Services Award from the 12th Police District on Pride Day, celebrated last Saturday, September 19, 2009. Miracle, who is only 11 years old, is the President of the Youth Division at the SW Positive Powerful Advocates For Change (SW/PPAC). Congratulations, Miracle!
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
Evelyn Graves Drama Productions represented the Southwest Philadelphia community in October before thousands of people in Lancaster County. The African American / Latino American Scholarship (AALAS) Committee have collaborated with Evelyn Graves Drama Productions for eight years and in this occasion, Princesses Sionia Gill and Carolina Tellado as part of the parade in Millersville, PA they shared a float along a two-mile parade route in Millersville Borough, bringing messages of hope to residents. This year’s theme was the Cinderella story and things to come. The theme song, “One night with the King,” by Juanita Barnum, was pleasingly presented. “It brought healing to the community. The parade was a heavenly experience,” stated Dr. Evelyn Graves. Nearly 150 parade entrees, including more than 2,000 participants with an estimated audience of 5,000 viewed the ambassadors from the Philadelphia theme float. The crowd was simply ecstatic as the float rounded each corner while the theme music brought a sense of love and compassion to the parade route in Millersville, Pennsylvania.
Marsha W. Wall Cassandra Whiters Roger Wilkerson Officer Joe Young
STOP THE VIOLENCE On Wednesday, September 30, 2009, the Department of Human Services – Community-based Esther Boykins and Prevention Division, hosted a faithMarsha Moore based initiative event called “Stop the Violence” at Myers Recreation Center. The aim was to provide resources to the community for a better, peaceful living. Among the attendees were Deacon & FLI Esther Boykins from SW Epic Stakeholders and SW / PPAC member and Deacon Marsha Moore, also member of SW Epic Stakeholders and SW / PPAC founder.
PARENTS AS PARTNERS Your skills are needed! Do you know everything about your child’s education? Are you aware of all the resources in Southwest Philadelphia? Do you know the ratio of crime in Southwest Philadelphia? Or what is happening at Shaw Middle School and how safe is your child? Not sure how to be involved in your child’s education? WE ARE WAITING ON YOU TO VOLUNTEER!
Shaw M.S. is looking for parent & community volunteers to assist in the safety of our students by volunteering for our Safe Corridors’ program. For more information, contact Ms. Christina Williams Parent & Community Ombudsman
at 215-727-2161
Alicia Burbage, former Director of Constituent Services for State Senator Anthony Williams, is now pursuing her dream: Opening her own shoe store. ISSHOES, located on 120 S. 60th Street in Philadelphia, opened its doors this fall. Visit the ISSHOES store now! For more information, please call Ms. Burbage at 215.471.5555.
MARSHA MOORE: A PASSION FOR SERVICE Marsha Moore. Her name rings bells to most Southwest Philadelphia residents. That is because Ms. Marsha, a SWCAG member, has lived in the neighborhood for more than 31 years and has served as a Truant Officer in the area for the last 10 years as part of her work for the Department of Human Services (DHS). Ms. Marsha’s recognition for her accomplishments as a community service activist goes beyond the fulfillment of her job duties. She has not only been awarded as Volunteer of the Year by the School District, the Friendliest Employee at PCV, as Stakeholder of the Year and for Outstanding Service by the Epic Stakeholders, but also, she has received the Drum Major Award by the Department of Human Services, Citizen Crime Commission Award Merit to Safety of Children & Community and the Outstanding Leader in Community Service Award by the 12 th Police District. She is also a Co-Block Captain named by the 12th Police District, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and City Lights, and won first place for Outstanding Community Project from the DHS. And the list could go on. With studies in Social Work from Temple and Cheyney Universities, Ms. Marsha is also a certified X-Ray Technician and a Dental Assistant. She has a Certified Advocacy Degree from DHS and the City of Philadelphia. Between 2006 and 2008, Ms. Marsha received certification as a Medical Emergency Technician and as a CPR specialist from Mayor John Street. In 2007, she was certified as a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Counselor by City Lights. She has been ordained as Deacon and currently, she is member of New Spirit Church. Ms. Marsha is also founder of the SW Positive Powerful Advocates for Change (SW/PPAC). For 30 years, she has been married to Elder Robert Moore, with whom she has two children: Khalid, 30, who is a Paralegal professional and is married with four children. Her daughter, Miracle, is 11 and is the sunshine of her life. But according to Ms. Marsha, her mother has always been her greatest support and example through her community service path. Her father, Pastor Rev. Willis Nelson, is also a big part of her life; he lives in Hartsville, SC. No doubt Ms. Marsha has a lot of energy and passion for what she does. And she still has time for her favorite hobbies: dancing, singing, and craft projects. But in her own words, Ms. Marsha’s passion is “To be a light for God and a helping hand and devoted servant.” Certainly, her life achievements are valid proof of such aspiration.
SYPHILIS IS INCREASING IN PHILADELPHIA! By Melinda Salmon, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, STD Control Program
Currently, our city is experiencing an increase in the number of people diagnosed with Syphilis. As of September 2009, 151 cases of infectious Syphilis were reported in the city. The trends of increasing Syphilis in Philadelphia are similar to cities like New York and San Francisco. More concerning is that recently, we are seeing more heterosexual women and teenagers with Syphilis. Among females of childbearing age, Syphilis is of particular concern because of the potential risk to an unborn child. One of the primary goals of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health is to help stop the spread of Syphilis in the city. The Health Department has formed the Philadelphia Syphilis Advisory Committee (PSAC), which collaborates with different agencies in the city to promote Syphilis awareness in the community. Some of the efforts employed to help fight Syphilis include tracking cases to identify areas that have high rates and risk of Syphilis to ensure aggressive and timely disease control, providing free, confidential testing and treatment to all infected persons and their sexual partners at various sites and FACT: Syphilis is an infection that is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, and it is events, notifying at risk individuals of their diagnosed through a blood test. If you would like to possible exposure through partner counseling get more information about Syphilis or would like and referral services, and distributing free to be tested, please contact the Health Department at 215.685.6585 condoms through out the city. For more information, please go to www.inspot.org.
to enjoy a ballet dance class, pick up sticks and exercise your rhythmic skills, bellowing a melodic arrangement in voice, study acting, and twinkling the ivory’s on the keyboard. Since 1981, the Evelyn Graves School of Performing Arts has trained adults and youth in the arts. Take the challenge and develop your gift of imagination in a cultural environment. For more information,
Enroll your kid into
F.Y.I.
Ex-Offenders Program Call 215.685.3373 Help Line Free HIV Testing (give code 99 when you call) Call 215.724.7430 Interested in Becoming A Block Captain Call 267.939.2366 18+ Interested in finding a job Call 215.729.2389 Youth Basketball (for girls & boys) Call 215.939.6283 Abstinence Program Call 215.239.8668 Town Watch Integrated Services Call 215.686-1422 State Representative Ron Waters Office Call 215.748.6712 12th Police District—Community Officer Call 215.686.3122 Senator Anthony Williams’s Office Call 215.492.2980 Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia Call 1.888.570.2583
It’s not too late
YOACAP’s Youth Development Program! 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
Youth and parents are both enrolled into a two-year experience that builds the assets of youth and their families. For more information, please call Ebony Joyner at 215.851.1857 for the next cycle that begins in February. This program is funded by the William Penn Foundation and is currently accepting applications.