IMPaCT, an evidence-based center at Penn Medicine that hires and trains trusted laypeople from local communities, is looking for Philadelphians who are interested in applying for the position of a Community Health Worker. If you have ever helped a family member or friend get health care services and feel passionate about changing things harming your community’s health, this may be the job for you!

Community health workers act as caring neighbors who help people address the social, medical and community problems that lead to poor health. Some of the key duties include: Continue Reading

The Enterprise Center has received $1 million in federal funding to help support Black-owned businesses along 52nd Street.

Presented by U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans on Friday, the money is part of a “revitalization” effort along 52nd Street, which Evans called the “anchor” of West Philadelphia Black community.

“This is just a downpayment,” Evans said.

The funding comes as The Enterprise Center nears construction of a new resource center at 277 South 52nd Street, which is part of its 52nd Street Initiative that hopes to draw new businesses and spur investment along West Philadelphia’s “Main Street.” Continue Reading

Here is a letter we received from Alice Wells from Friends of Walnut Street West Library on the importance of supporting our local libraries.

Dear Library Friends, Community Members, Neighbors, Readers, Parents, Students and all who use and love our city’s libraries:

Philadelphia’s public libraries are STILL in dire straits. What budget and staff increases we began to see before the pandemic have been lost. Federal funds recently pumped into the City were not used to restore library funding! In short, unless we fight for them we will continue to see neighborhood libraries closed more than open because of continued understaffing. Continue Reading

Walnut Street West Library, one of the oldest Free Library of Philadelphia branches, has reopened its doors to the public after last week’s fire in an electrical transformer located under the sidewalk on 40th Street, in front of the library.

“Walnut West [head] librarian Bruce [Siebers] arrived at work early last Thursday morning, January 20, before anyone else. When he turned on the lights, they flickered, then suddenly there was a WHOOSH and black smoke billowed into the rooms,” writes Alice Wells, a member of volunteer group The Friends of Walnut West Library. “He ran outside – smoke was visible from the street too. In moments the block was filled with fire trucks, police cars, an ambulance and PECO and PGW trucks.” Continue Reading

The 2022 tax season will officially begin on Monday, Jan. 24 with community-based tax preparation and filing sites opening again across Philadelphia, including several locations in West Philly. The sites are run by The Campaign for Working Families (CWF), a non-profit organization that provides free tax preparation to working families and individuals and helps connect them with valuable tax credits, such as child tax credits, EITC, childcare credits, and more.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all sites will operate by appointment only. All appointments are for a brief visit so that individuals can drop off their documents for CWF tax experts to prepare. Click here for more information and to schedule an appointment. Continue Reading

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this Monday, Jan. 17 and many events celebrating his legacy have been scheduled around the city, virtually and in-person. Here’s a list of some events and volunteer opportunities happening in West and Southwest Philadelphia and on-line. Also, check out the list compiled by the Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.

To explore additional MLK Day volunteer opportunities in Philadelphia, click here.

Thursday, Jan. 13 & Friday, Jan. 14:

Sam Pollard Film Screenings – Virtual Event

Scribe Video Center is hosting an online screening of two films by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Pollard. On Thursday, Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m., join Scribe for a presentation of MLK/FBI, and on Friday, Jan. 14 at 7:00 p.m. there will be a presentation of Two Trains Runnin’, followed by a conversation with Sam Pollard. The screenings and conversation will be presented through the Crowdcast platform. Click here for more information and to register. Continue Reading