Volume 1, Issue 1 July 2008
THE
Southwest
CORNER
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 Robert Stone
THE
“NO QUESTIONS ASKED” WAS A SUCCESS IN SOUTHWEST PHILLY
Marsha W. Wall Cassandra Whiters Roger Wilkerson Officer Joe Young
On June 27th, the Southwest Community Advisory Group (SW CAG), YOACAP (Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program), Clear Channel Philadelphia, the 12th District Police Station, and Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia conducted its first citywide Turn In Your Gun Campaign for 2008. Close to a 100 sawed off shot guns, 45 caliber, and 9 millimeter hand guns were turned in. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, Councilwomen Jannie Blackwell, Captain After a day of activities at Myers Recreation Center, the SW CAG members Washington, and Lehronda Upshur of Clear celebrate the success of their first Turn-In-Your-Gun Campaign, June 28. Channel were excited about the SW CAG’s effort to get guns off the streets. “These concerned residents gave out $10,000 in Gift Cards, XBOX 360, Playstations 3s, and IPODS, with little financial support from the power elite to try to reach young men and women who have illegal firearms. We supported the SW CAG when they assisted over 80 youth in obtaining summer jobs and will continue to support them as they attempt to deal with violence, such a complex problem”, exclaimed Lehronda Upshur of Clear Channel Radio. This initiative aimed to reach young men and women who may be using these firearms to commit crimes. “We have a lot of work to do to continue to reach our youngsters in Southwest. We can get older adults to turn in firearms, but we know we need to get teenagers and young adults; that’s who we were targeting”, stated Constance Harris Incentives Crews of the SW CAG. like X-Box 360 As part of its violence reduction and Playstations plan, there are many activities that are 3 (above), were happening in Southwest Philadelphia. provided to those who “The concerned residents of turned in a Southwest Philadelphia have been gun (right). working hard. We meet every other week, completing the ideas proposed by the residents of Southwest Philly”, remarked Duerward Beale, YOACAP’s Executive Director and facilitator of the SW CAG. “Jobs for striving young adults, better promotion of current after school activities, better collaboration between agencies, as well as outcome driven activities, are some of our goals. We may not have a lot of money behind our mission, but we do have committed people who are striving to build a unified community in the Southwest area by promoting positive direction and empowering individuals to be economically, socially and mentally stable.” For more information about Philadelphia. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey (center) and Captain Anthony Washington (far the SW CAG or to get a copy of their violence right) from the 12th District Police, surrounded by reduction plan, please call 215.851.1834. SW CAG members and YOACAP staff.
Art In Motion
THE WAY HOME: A GOSPEL MUSICAL THAT CANNOT BE MISSED It is well known that arts can have a unique, positive impact in the community, but few practice it in such a particular, creative way as the Evelyn Graves Drama Production company. For over 35 years, this nonprofit organization has actively promoted multidisciplinary cultural arts Young dancers in Evelyn Graves School of Performing within Southwest Philadelphia, and so far, it has impacted around 500,000 Arts spreading there wings across the stage. in the area and beyond. th As part of their activities, on Saturday, August 9 , the company will be presenting “The Way Home”, a gospel musical / contemporary drama, exploring the life of a young man who has to face reality when demanding an inheritance. Written by Evelyn Graves, the production features Sharon Flythe, Ross B. Hill, and Sarah Hill, performing artists with three decades of acting experience from Southwest Philadelphia. Certainly, this presentation will be a sensational musical filled with emotions, as the audience creatively journey together in this richesto-rags story. In addition, the Evelyn Graves School of Performing Arts is currently accepting enrollment for classes in beginning piano, acting, ballet, drumming, and vocals. Classes start in the fall at the Southwest Philadelphia’s art school site, 5447 Chester Avenue. For more information about the arts classes or to make reservations for the upcoming drama presentation, please call 215.727.7796.
MYERS’ 2008 ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR, NINE YEARS AND STRIVING Over 600 residents attended the Myers Recreation Center’s Ninth Annual Health Fair on Friday, June 27, 2008. The event was originally developed to address the need for HIV/AIDS prevention services in Southwest Philadelphia, one of the highest zip codes with AIDS cases. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell (right) The Department of Human Services interviewed by Power 99 FM’s radio personality Shamira. (DHS), YOACAP, BEBASHI, and Resurrection Ministries were the original founders of this enormous event. Brunch and a hot lunch were served as well. This year, there were over 20 social service organizations that set up tables at the event, and facilitated performances and workshops. Topics discussed were on HIV/AIDS, drug prevention, nutrition, and healthy relationships. A special component this year was Power 99’s radio personalities, Shamara and Summer, at the Myers’ Annual Health Fair. the recruitment and education of over 30 youth, who met every Wednesday at Kingsessing Recreation Center to be trained as youth peer educators. The youth peer educators were also instrumental in promoting the annual health fair by passing out flyers in the surrounding area. Power 99 FM was the media sponsor that hosted the event. They broadcasted live from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Power 99 FM’s radio personalities, Shamara Summer interviewing Eloise and Summer, were there in person, along with Clayton, Coordinator of the SW Epic Stakeholders Group. Power 99 FM’s Promotional Team.
ORANGE SHIRTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD June 1st marked the beginning of the Rapid Assessment Response & Evaluation’s (RARE’s) Field Team activities in the streets of Southwest Philadelphia. The team’s goal is to walk down each street in Southwest to speak to residents or business owners about the many different programs that are available to them. The team members have also been giving out the Southwest Community Advisory Group’s (SW CAG’s) Resouce Guide and requesting people to sign the SW CAG’s community petition to show their support for the valuable work of the SW CAG. Over 1,100 people have signed the petition to date. The Field Team wears orange shirts and are generally walking in the neighborhood during afternoon hours. For more information about the Field Team, please call Tameka Matthews at (215) 851-1959. To get your child enrolled in basketball, contact football, track/field, please call Connie Harris Crews at (215) 939-6283 or Daryl Nelson at (215) 219-0792. Register now for Fall 2008! (Ages 5-16)
Can’t miss this! Fun Day For All Kids at the 12th Police District & Phila. Fire Dpt. Ladder 4! This Friday, July 25th, at 65th & Woodland Avenue, from 10 am to 2 pm. For more information, call Officer Joe Young at (215) 686-3120.