Bartram’s Garden has a chance to get awarded $200,000 after it was selected as a finalist for the Philadelphia Foundation’s Key to Community grant. The historic garden and arboretum located at 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. in Southwest Philadelphia is competing in the Community & Civic Engagement Category with their project titled “Reclaiming Local History and Championing an Inclusive Future in Southwest Philly.”

The grant will be used to directly support the neighborhood residents within the following initiatives:  Continue Reading

During the school year, thousands of students in Philadelphia benefit from access to free and reduced price breakfast and lunch. But during the summer many struggle to get access to healthy meals.

This a reminder that the USDA provides free meals to children, teens, and students with disabilities in Philadelphia during summer months. This food is accessible at hundreds of summer meals sites throughout the city, including recreation centers, parks, churches, and neighborhood blocks. Summer meals sites provide free meals and snacks to kids and teens age 18 and under.  Continue Reading

Mariposa Food Coop is currently accepting applications for their 2019-2020 Round-up for Change cycle. Through the program, Mariposa’s members and shoppers “round-up” their purchases to the nearest dollar and the extra change is then donated to Philly organizations, groups, and/or causes.

The first recipient will be selected for September 2019 and the cycle will run until August 2020.

Local organizations whose missions or objectives carry out one of the following will be considered:  Continue Reading

Are you good at chess and like working with kids? Here’s a great volunteer opportunity. The Walnut St. West Library children’s chess club is looking for volunteer chess coaches for the upcoming school year (September 2019 – May 2020). The club meets Wednesdays 5:30-7 p.m. at the library located at 40th and Walnut Streets.

The club is looking for volunteers to teach and supervise children ages 6-14 who are learning chess. Their skill levels vary from beginner to quite proficient. Coaches will not get to play much themselves but will enjoy helping the children improve their skills.

The Chess Club won the first place in the 2017 MasterMinds Scholastic Summer Chess League Championship.

If you are interested to volunteer on a regular basis – once a month or more – please contact Mary Goldman at: marylgoldman@gmail.com

Happy Juneteenth! The celebration of America’s “other Independence Day” kicks off around the city today (if you need background on the holiday that marks the end of slavery see the video below from The Root). The epicenter of the city’s Juneteenth celebration will be in West Philly this Saturday, June 22, with a parade down 52nd Street and and a festival in Malcom X. Park complete with vendors, food and lots of music.

The day kicks off with an “Honor Our Ancestors” breakfast. The parade begins at noon at 52nd and Jefferson and proceeds south on 52nd Street, which will be renamed “Muhammad Ali Way” during a ceremony in Malcolm X. Park (3 – 4 p.m.). The Juneteenth Musicfest will run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the park. The featured performer is Kindred The Family Soul. Their performance is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of Curio Theatre.

West Philly’s Curio Theatre Company has received a lot of scholarship applications for their 2019 Summer Camp Program, which will be held in two two-week sessions next month (July 1-12 and July 15-26).

“Interest and enrollment for Curio Theatre Company’s 2019 Summer Camp has far surpassed our expectations,” reads an email newsletter sent out by Curio. “More kids than ever have asked for scholarship assistance to attend Summer Camp 2019.”  Continue Reading