APRIL 2011 Issue 21
THE
Southwest
CORNER
A
COALITION MEMBER S Paul Bailey Tyrone Benson Alexzina Bryant Hanna Bryant
ADVISORY
Bruce Durham
Mark Harrison
SOUTHWEST
COMMUNITY
Rodney Buckson Carl Burman
PHILADELPHIA
GROUP
Audrey Allen
Spencer Canty Andre Crews Agnes Currie Melvin Davis Clayton Dendy Stephanie Dixon Chad Enos
O F
Y O A C A P
SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH:
A CHANCE NOT TO MISS! Early April, the Southwest Community Advisory Group (SWCAG) will continue to meet with families in Southwest to educate them about 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 job preparatory workshop. 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 job readiness and summer preparation workshops for parents and their children. The only requirement for this SWCAG Initiative is that the parent or guardian has to attend the workshop. This year, summer job slots have been reduced due to budget cuts, so we cannot guarantee jobs. For more information, contact Officer Joseph Young, SWCAG member, at 215.686.3122 to register for the upcoming meetings. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Gregory Garrison Donna Gass Ron George Ida Glenn Cassandra Graves Constance Harris Crews 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
ADULT MENTORS NEEDED AT BARTRAM Do you care enough to help a child? In partnership with Philadelphia Education Works, the John Bartram High School Mentoring Program is seeking reliable & responsible adult mentors to share one hour per week with a 9th grade student. We need people who will talk, listen and interact with students through various activities as well as provide a positive relationship that will propel them down the road to success. Please contact Ms. Mandisa John at 267.992.1232 or Ms. Sharayna Taylor at 215.492.6860, ext. 353. Mentor now for a better tomorrow, for all of us!
MUM’S A WORD? Over the past few months, there have been healthy discussions about placing a prison/ halfway house in Southwest Philadelphia on Grays Avenue. Area on Grays Ave. where the prison will be located. Some SW residents feel that having a facility like this would be good for the neighborhood, especially since it would possibly bring jobs to the already distressed community. Residents wonder why put a prison in a neighborhood so close to homes, businesses, and a daycare center. Why have a location that would house women and men, be a halfway house for some, and a day reporting center for others? Others argue why house 400 inmates for an extended period of time without discussing the overall plan for this prison with residents. Lastly, some feel that having a re-entry center in this neighborhood is good because it would bring computer classes or other needed community programs. However, the question still remains: Why not meet with residents to give them an opportunity to express themselves, to give feedback, or to reject the idea? We don’t have the answer, but property value, public safety, neighborhood revitalization need to be considered first and discussed with the overall community. Prisons are big business in this state. Keep your ears and eyes open because there are about 10 of these urban big businesses coming to a neighborhood near you in Philadelphia. Call your local Philadelphia Council Person to let him/her know how you feel about having a prison/hallway house instead of a Lowes, Target, or Walmart around the corner from you.
Nathaniel Lee: THE POWER IN HIS WORDS Nathaniel Lee is a writer and journalist who writes for publications as the Tribune, Public Record, Westside Weekly and others. He attended Montgomery Community College and Villanova University, where he received his degree in Liberal Arts. Mr. Lee formerly worked as a legislative assistant; however, his work in the community, among the people, would not allow him to sit behind a desk. He now writes full time, which allows him to spend time out in the community he loves. As a community organizer, he is currently working on his book dealing with the topic of human transformation and personal development. Pushing people forward, helping people reach their life goals, and rise to their greatest potential are main factors in his mission. Mr. Lee also works with Betty Harris Homes, Inc, an organization that provides services for abused and neglected children. He is also working closely with the members of the Lifers at Graterford to help create legislative changes to ensure that innocent people are not confined without access to the courts. As a public speaker, he has been a guest on several radio stations and spoke at various community events to encourage others to continue following their dreams. Nathaniel is very active in several community organizations such as the Southwest Community Advisory Group, where he contributes to raise public awareness and connect people to the services available in the community. Mr. Lee loves reading and most outdoor activities. Regardless of the weather or time of year, Nathaniel can often be found outdoors walking or otherwise enjoying nature.
FREE AT LAST
Helen Divers of Southwest Philadelphia has the unique ability to bring people together from various sides of the isle on blistery cold dark nights. Last February, she cleverly organized a packed town hall meeting in her two-story home near 55th and Whitby Avenue, where Mayor Michael Nutter was the guest of honor along with State Representative Ronald G. Waters. During the local gathering, neighbors, concerned citizens and youth, representatives of local organizations, ministers and politicians shared their day-to-day concerns. The Mayor addressed subjects such as the outlook of Philadelphia youth, libraries, Helen Divers greeting Mayor recreation centers, snow removal, Nutter at her home in Southwest Philadelphia for the Town Hall perspectives on the city budget for the Meeting held last February. next fiscal year, and the proposed 400-bed re-entry program at 53rd & Grays Ave. in Southwest Philadelphia. Mayor Nutter spoke over sensitive issues directly impacting the community, while members of the SWCAG listened and watched intently. The casual evening concluded with warm smiles, hand shakes, and shared photo opportunities with Mayor Nutter, while soul food complete with desert was pleasantly consumed to the delight of attendees, compliments of Helen Divers and friends.
In Philadelphia, the Sustainable Broadband Adoption Program (called Freedom Rings) will increase broadband adoption by providing relevant training, specifically in skills development, education, healthcare, and media production. Trainings in computer literacy, workforce, and education skills will be integrated into existing social service programs. YOACAP, Philadelphia Fight, One Day At A Time (ODAAT), and several other organizations are working together to provide free computer training as part of this initiative. YOACAP is providing computer training during the day, evening, and weekends for beginners and people interested in becoming experts. Classes are usually two hours long and on weekends in the late morning and afternoon. Youth, adults, and seniors have been enrolling in these classes daily. For more information about the free computer classes, please contact Tajuana Wall at 215.851.1968.
F.Y.I. Youth Basketball (for girls & boys) Free HIV Testing (give code 99 when you call) Town Watch Integrated Services Interested in Becoming A Block Captain 18+ Interested in finding a job Abstinence Program State Representative Kenyatta Johnson State Representative Ron Waters Office 12th Police District—Community Officer Senator Anthony Williams’s Office Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia Any problem that the City can help with: Full version of the SW Resource Guide YOACAP’s Youth Book Club (15-18 yrs. old)
Call 215.939.6283 Call 215.724.7430 Call 215.686.1422 Call 267.939.2366 Call 215.729.2389 Call 215.239.8668 Call 215.726.4613 Call 215.748.6712 Call 215.686.3122 Call 215.492.2980 Call 1.888.570.2583 Call 311 Call 215.851.1836 Call 215.851.1968
Ms. Connie Crews Ms. Hanna Bryant Ms. Tara Smith Mr. Clayton Dendy Ms. Marsha Wall Mr. Roger Wilkerson Mr. Roi Ligon Mr. Helen Walker Officer Joe Young Mr. Donald Cave Hotline City of Philadelphia Virginia Rivero-Descailleaux
Tajuana Wall
Enroll your 14-18 year-old child into YOACAP’s Youth Development Program…
PROJECT BUILD An experience that builds the assets of youth and their families. For more information, please call Ebony Joyner at 215.851.1857
Source: Earlville Free Library
TOWN HALL MEETING IN SOUTHWEST