The Southwest Corner January 2010 by YOACAP

January 2010 Issue 15

THE

Southwest

CORNER

P R O J E C T

O F

Y O A C A P

SUMMER JOBS COMING SOON! 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 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

THE

Robert Stone Marsha W. Wall Cassandra Whiters Roger Wilkerson Officer Joe Young

This spring, the Southwest Community Advisory Group (SWCAG) will continue to meet with families in Southwest to assist them in finding summer employment for their children. If you have a child between the ages of 14 – 21, the SWCAG and its partner will be providing youth with Job Readiness Workshops and their parent(s) with a summer Ebony Joyner speaking to job preparatory workshop. YOACAP’s families during last year’s recruitment. Families will be then linked into the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) System so their children can be prepared to be hired for six weeks in the summer. Over the past two years, the SWCAG has worked with YOACAP, Myers and Kingsessing Recreation Centers, Jayhawks Youth Association, and Evelyn Graves Drama Productions to conduct these workshops for parents and their children. The only requirement for this SWCAG Initiative is that the parent or guardian has to attend both workshops. In the past, over 165 youth who reside in Southwest Philadelphia have attended and obtained summer jobs. For more information, contact Officer Joe Young, SWCAG member, at 215.686.3122 to register for the upcoming meetings. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

CELEBRATING GOOD TIMES On Saturday, December 19, 2009, the 12th Police District celebrated their Annual Holiday Party by inviting 120 children and their parents from Southwest Philadelphia to the Roll Call room to enjoy a day of fun and community engagement. Officer Joe Young, also a member of the SWCAG, along with Officer Lisa McDowell, both from the 12th Police District’s Community Relations Office, organized the event. Entertainment included music played by local children, face painting, the presentation of Mark The Magician and the Chocolettes dance troupe, and Southwest’s Community Claus, performed by radio personality and community activist, Paul Earthquake” Moore. There were many gifts distributed to the participants, like bicycles and toys, which were sponsored and/or donated by many different businesses in the area as well as the contribution of the very own 12th Police District officers. Kudos to all of the supporters of this successful event who made many area children’s Christmas

happy!

IT’S TIME TO PLAY! REGISTER NOW! Myers Recreation Center BASKETBALL LEAGUE MALES & FEMALES 6—18 yrs. old

Jayhawks Youth Association BASKETBALL LEAGUE MALES ONLY 15—18 yrs. old

Jayhawks Youth Association BASKETBALL LEAGUE MALES & FEMALES 6—14 yrs. old

Registration Starts January, Monday 4, 2010

At Myers Recreation Center (58th & Kingsessing Avenue)

At Kingsessing Recreation Center (50th & Kingsessing Ave.)

Contact Call Burman 215.685.2698

Contact Connie Crews 215.939.6283

THE CREWS: A WINNING TEAM Basketball is an extraordinary way to help the community. The best proof is the work that Andre and Constance Crews, co-founders of the Jayhawks Youth Association, are doing in Southwest Philadelphia. For over 20 years, the Crews have been running basketball leagues, clinics and tournaments, and finally, they have attained their goal of having a group called “Girl Ball.” As Mrs. Constance stated, “This was always a desire of ours. In the past we had females, but they were older. We now have girls starting at age six. We Ms. Connie Crews (left) and her husband, Mr. Andre Crews, with Philadelphia City also recently added traveling basketball to our program, and it is going great.” Councilwoman, Jannie Blackwell (center). Mr. and Mrs. Crews have lived in Southwest Philadelphia for over 50 years. For the past 20 years, Mrs. Crews has worked at Temple University Hospital as an Administrative Specialist in the Research Center. As an active member of the Southwest community, she is a Committee member for the 27th Ward as well as Block Captain for the 5000 block of Upland Street. She is also the Program Liaison for the Jayhawks Youth Association. Since its inception, Mr. Crews has been the Chairman of Jayhawks Youth Association and has worked diligently with thousands of kids across the city to implement sports programs. The Crews have one son and three grandchildren: Kaschae, Kammae and Niyir. Constance and Andre share similar interests and hobbies, from watching Allen Iverson play basketball to administering their various basketball programs. Ms. Constance also enjoys crocheting, computer instruction, reading and crossword puzzles; while Mr. Andre enjoys basketball, especially playing competitively. The Crews are already preparing for the Sixers Neighborhood Basketball League at Kingsessing Recreation Center. The league begins January 5, 2009 for ages 6-18, males and females. Registration days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. As if that were not enough, Constance and Andre are also preparing for their Annual Black History Project and Basketball Tournament. The prizes will include Playstation 3, Wii games, Ipods and gift cards. We will have other giveaways, fun and food. For more information, please call Andre or Constance Crews at 215.939.6283 or visit their website at: www.jayhawksyouthassociation.com.

DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE!

FAST AND FREE TAX FILING IN PHILADELPHIA By Megan Kiesel, Director of Impact & Outreach—The Campaign for Working Families This year, saving money is more important than ever. You may be eligible to save hundreds of dollars in tax preparation services by visiting a free tax-filing site operated by The Campaign for Working Families. From January 25 through April 15, 2010, free tax sites will be open throughout Philadelphia, offering e-filing, direct deposit, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion and fairly-priced financial products to help you save money. The locations of the Campaign's free tax preparation sites and information on eligibility for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) are available on the website, www.phillyfreetaxes.org, or call 311. Free tax preparation services are available to families who earned less than $50,000 in 2009 or if you are single with an income under $25,000. Taxes are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers, who are trained to help you get all of your tax credits as quickly as possible. Over the past seven years, The Campaign for Working Families has brought $124.2 million in state and federal refunds to working families throughout Philadelphia. Beginning in summer 2009, the Campaign launched the “Catch a Break” series, a targeted outreach effort to link Philadelphia families with valuable resources and services that can help them weather the current financial crisis. There are many ways that you can get involved and ensure that your neighbors can receive these important services. Call 215-851-1759 or visit our website at www.phillyfreetaxes.org to sign up today.

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

YOACAP’s Youth Development Program

PROJECT BUILD Ms. Hanna Bryant Mr. Clayton Dendy Ms. Marsha Wall Ms. Connie Crews Mr. Roger Wilkerson Ms. Tara Smith Mr. Shana Walker Officer Joe Young Mr. Donald Cave 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, 2010 This program is funded by the William Penn Foundation and is currently accepting applications.