June 2010 Issue 17
THE
Southwest
CORNER
A
P R O J E C T
O F
Y O A C A P
Turn In Your Guns Campaign: 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
The Southwest Community Advisory Group's (SWCAG's) Turn In Your Gun Campaign is right round the corner on Saturday, July 17th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Myers Recreation Center located at 58th & Kingsessing Avenue. Help us get the word out to residents to reduce handguns on our streets. This campaign targets youth and young adults who carry illegal firearms and use them to commit crimes or to hurt others. This will be the SWCAG’s fourth Turn In Your Gun Campaign, which is outlined within their violence reduction plan produced by residents of Southwest Philadelphia. “Last year, people were standing in line at 9.30 a.m. to turn in handguns or receive locks for legal firearms. When we held the campaign (in the past), there were many rumors circulating. We worked hard to dispel these rumors to make youth and young adults feel comfortable”, stated Dr. Cassandra Graves, Vice President of the SWCAG. Some thought we were conducting a raffle, only giving away one Playstation 3. Supposedly, we were not giving out XBOX 360s because they cost a lot of money. One of the most harmful rumors was that people who had warrants may get arrested if they came to turn in a gun. None of these rumors were true. We did not ask anyone’s name, no one was arrested, and everyone who turns in a gun received at least a $100 gift card. Youth or young adults who turned in 45 cal., 9 mil., 380s, Tec 9s, 40 cals., or sawed-off shotguns received the larger incentives, such as XBOX 360s and Playstation 3. REMEMBER, OUR THEME IS "NO QUESTIONS ASKED". If we want to end the gun violence in our neighborhoods, we have to all work together to do it. The event is sponsored by Power 99 FM, SWCAG, YOACAP, and the 12th Police District. For more information, please contact Marsha Wall, SWCAG’s President, at 215.729.2389.
Daryl Nelson Carol Payne
PARENT UNIVERSITY
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
TIME TO TURN THEM IN!
Marsha W. Wall Cassandra Whiters Roger Wilkerson Officer Joe Young
The Day in the Park, organized by the Philadelphia Jayhawks Youth Association, was a complete success! The event took place on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Kingsessing Recreation Center, and was a day full of fun. Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Crews!
The School District of Philadelphia is offering Parent University to parents of students who enrolled in schools throughout Philadelphia. The idea is to increase parental engagement that will help parents and their child/children to improve academically and socially. Workshops and classes will be provided to parents to help them navigate through the educational process, improve collaboration between schools and families, and to provide opportunities that support parents to achieve their personal academic and non-academic goals. For example, Spanish, Mandarin, French and other languages’ learning will be provided. Computers’ technology classes will be provided as well. So many other important vital classes and opportunities will be offered. For more information, please call 215.400.4180 or visit www.philasd.org/parentuniversity. Workshops and classes begin ASAP. Register now!
TARA SMITH:
EXCELLING IN LIFE Tara Smith is a great example of professional and personal achievement. For the past 10 years, she has been working for Town Watch Integrated Services (TWIS) as a Community Support Specialist, primarily dedicated to Southwest Philadelphia. Tara is responsible for recruiting and training all Town Watch volunteers in the Southwest Division, which includes both West & Southwest Philadelphia. Mrs. Smith began her education at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA, and completed her Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership at Philadelphia University. She continued her studies at Chestnut Hill College, where she obtained her Master's Degree in Administration of Human Services. One of Mrs. Smith’s biggest professional achievements has been to achieve both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, which have helped her better serve her community. For her dedicated work, Tara has been recognized several times in many community events, such as Southwest Pride Day and the National Night Out. Tara has a one year old daughter with her husband, Russell. Her greatest personal achievement is, without a doubt, her daughter Taryn. “She has made a difference in my life, and the experience of being mother has given me a more positive outlook on life, which encourages me every day to make a difference for others, so that my daughter will know what really matters in life.”
SOUTWEST HAS LOST A LONGSTANDING PILLAR IN OUR COMMUNITY For over 50 years, Stanley Richardson had been a community and politicallyconnected resident of Southwest Philadelphia. Mr. Stan, as we affectionately Mr. Stanley Richardson called him, worked with the SW Community Service, Eastwick Pac, SW Epic Stakeholders, Townwatch, No House Untouched, 954 Garden Homes Civic Association, 12th District, and so many other organizations. He was a Southwest Community Service Advisory Board Chairman for many years. Mr. Stan was instrumental in forming the Southwest Curfew Center as well. He attended the Eastwick Methodist Church and was survived by his wife, Lorene Richardson, and his children, Keith Richardson and Andrea Powell. Members of the SWCAG salute Ms. Stan Richardson: We will miss you. Mr. Stan’s memorial service will be held at the Eastwick United Methodist Church at 69th & Lindbergh Boulevard on Saturday, July 24, 2010, at 11 a.m.
TEACHERS!
NEW COMMITTEE PERSONS
KUDOS…
We are looking for teachers who can be tutors for high school students during the summer in subjects such as English, Algebra, and Geometry. To volunteer, please contact Woody Beale at 215.851.1834.
Constance Harris Crews and Bruce Durham, two SWCAG’s members, were recently elected by Southwest Philadelphia residents as committee persons for their neighborhood. Ms. Crews has been re-elected for Ward 27, Division 12, while Mr. Durham was assigned to Ward 51, Division 25. This is the first term for Mr. Durham and the second term for Mrs Crews, who also will be performing duties as Mrs. Connie Crews and Secretary of her ward. Mr. Bruce Durham
To Dr. Cassandra Graves, our Vice-President, Dr. Cassandra Graves who recently graduated from Jameson School of Theology at the International Christian University located in Chesapeake, VA, and has obtained her second doctorate degree, this time in Theology. Kudos, Dr. Graves!
F.Y.I. Free HIV Testing (give code 99 when you call) Interested in Becoming A Block Captain 18+ Interested in finding a job Youth Basketball (for girls & boys) Abstinence Program Town Watch Integrated Services State Representative Kenyatta Johnson State Representative Ron Waters Office 12th Police District—Community Officer Senator Anthony Williams’s Office Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia Heat Hotline Any problem that the City can help with: Full version of the SW Resource Guide
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 215.726.4613 Call 215.748.6712 Call 215.686.3122 Call 215.492.2980 Call 1.888.570.2583 Call 215.765.9040 Call 311 Call 215.851.1836
WOULD YOU LIKE TO
VOLUNTEER? Ms. Hanna Bryant Mr. Clayton Dendy Ms. Marsha Wall Ms. Connie Crews Mr. Roger Wilkerson Ms. Tara Smith Mr. Roi Ligon Mr. Shana Walker Officer Joe Young Mr. Donald Cave Hotline Hotline City of Philadelphia Virginia Rivero-Descailleaux
If you’d like to volunteer with youth, senior citizens, or just give a helping hand, call Ms. Marsha Wall at 215.729.2389 ************************************** Enroll your kid into YOACAP’s
Youth Development Program
PROJECT BUILD
Youth and parents are 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