March 2009 Issue 9
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 Cassandra Graves Constance Harris Crews Mark Harrison Lillian Hood Joanne Jones
O F
Y O A C A P
THE MAYOR’S VISIT By SW CAG Member The mayor’s schedule for the past few weeks has included small and large community meetings to gain feedback from residents. He has been meeting in barbershops, beauty salons, living rooms, and churches. Ms. Helen-Hellon Divers, a long-standing community leader, invited the mayor to her house to get input from her colleagues, neighbors, business owners, clergy, and other elected officials. Philadelphia’s Mayor Michael Nutter visiting On Wednesday, February 25, 2009, SW community leader’s home, Helen-Hellon Diver Philadelphia’s Mayor Michael Nutter came to Southwest Philadelphia to Ms. Divers’s home. Over 25 people, including State Representative Ronald Waters, piled into Ms. Divers’s living and dinning rooms to give their suggestions on what the mayor could possibly do to reduce the 1 Billion dollar deficit in the city. Members of the SW CAG were in attendance to provide ideas. Ted Behr from the Southwest Global Times and Annette John-Hall of the Philadelphia Inquirer were also there. Please read the local newspapers to get all the details of the proposed budget from the Mayor Nutter with SW CAG member Marsha Wall at mayor to the Philadelphia City Council that has Helen-Hellon Divers’s home in Southwest Philadelphia been introduced last Thursday, March 19th.
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
SUMMER JOBS ARE BACK! By SW CAG Member During the month of March, SW CAG members and YOACAP worked with parents and youth of Southwest Philadelphia to provide a job preparatory workshop and job readiness training. The objective is to answer questions about the Philadelphia Youth Network’s Summer Job Program and to complete a job readiness training for youth and their parents. Families ask questions about the Philadelphia Youth The SW CAG’s goal is to assist families to Network’s summer experience. apply for and obtain summer and year round employment for youth and young adults. Over 25 families attended these workshops that were held at Myers and Kingsessing Recreation Centers. Special Thanks to both locations for their continued support of the SW CAG. For more information about jobs for youth and young adults (14 to 30 years of age), please call Ms. Marsha Wall at 215.729.2389.
SOUTHWEST TRACK CLUB:
FLYING TO NEW HEIGHTS IN THE COMMUNITY By Daryl Nelson Everyday on the news, we hear about how the economy is plunging deeper and deeper in debt. Many programs in Philadelphia have been discontinued, and this has posed a problem to many of the communities in dire need. Children seem to be one of the age groups that are most impacted by budget cuts. Myers Recreation Center has also been affected. However, despite the economic issues, Myers –with the help of some local organizaCoaches Deshaen Riggins (left) and Daryl Nelson tions and elected officials- has created the Southwest Track Club to engage (right) with the SW Track Club winners children in the community and keep them positive. With support from partners like Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, State Representative Ronald G. Waters, Marsha Besong of Harcum College, and the Southwest Community Advisory Group (SW CAG), the Southwest Track Club was able to assist the children in this community so they could compete in a positive track program. The runners did not have to pay fees for anything and were provided with uniforms and track spikes. The Department of Recreation’s Carousel House Director Erica Carter and Anthony McDougal also came to the rescue, and the team was able to use the City’s vans to transport the team to every meet on their schedule. The Southwest Track Club soared to new heights on and off the track by winning the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Indoor Championship at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. All 27 runners, from ages 5 to 18, competed as well as earned medals and ribbons. The team welcomes all runners and provides positive influences in the lives of the young teens and children. The team is preparing for the outdoor season and will begin its activities on March 23 rd. This team is just one example of the success that can be achieved when youth, parents, City employees, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and elected officials work together. With the support of everyone, we will continue to keep the children of the Southwest Philadelphia community on the right path towards a good future. If you would like to help, please call Daryl Nelson, Director at Myers Recreation Center, at 215.219.0792.
TAMEKA HAS MOVED ON….
CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP IN SOUTHWEST
In February, Tameka Matthews, Leader of the SWCAG’s Field Team and Unit Leader of YOACAP Tameka Matthews moved on to a new position at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Many of you have seen Ms. Matthews walking down your street, informing residents of the many programs that are available to your families. While Tameka will not be working with the SW CAG in body, her hardworking spirit will continue to live through the work that we all do in our communities.
By Cassandra Graves It’s more than a block party or a street fair: It’s a time to celebrate Friendship in Southwest Philadelphia. Evelyn Graves Ministries will share two outdoor events that bring about strength to the community. On Friday, April 24th and Friday, August 21st, Evelyn Graves Christian Academy and Evelyn Graves Day Care Center will provide creative performances by school age youth and the Evelyn Graves Drama Productions, at 55 th & Chester Avenue, between 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon. There will be organized play activities from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. These activities are free and open to the public. As Cassandra Graves stated, “We anticipate eight performances by nearly 100 youth aged 15 months to 18 years old. It’s a wonderful sight to behold!” For more information, please call 215.727.7796.
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 Possum Complaints Rat Complaints Get your tax return fast and free Town Watch Integrated Services State Representative Ron Waters Office 12th Police District—Community Officer
Call 215.685.3373 Call 215.724.7430 Call 215.971.0339 Call 215.729.2389 Call 215.939.6283 Call 215.239.8668 Call 267.385.3800 Call 215.685.9000 Call 215.686.2599 Call 215.686-1422 Call 215.748.6712 Call 215.686.3122
ALL CONCERNED RESIDENTS:
Help Line Ms. Hanna Bryant Mr. Bruce Durham Ms. Marsha Wall Ms. Connie Crews Mr. Roger Wilkerson Hotline Hotline Hotline Ms. Tara Smith Mr. Nathaniel Lee Officer Joe Young
The Southwest Epic Stakeholders would like to invite you to their meeting at New Spirit Community Presbyterian Church (58th & Chester Avenue) On Thursday, April 9th, 2009 At 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP by calling Lois Clayton 215.730.2262 Or email at Eclayton@pcv.org We look forward to seeing you there!
Light refreshments will be served.