A new public health center aimed at the local community and offering primary and preventative health care for adults and children, pre- and postnatal care, behavioral health and social services and addiction treatment has opened at 54th and Cedar.

The PHMC Health Center on Cedar is staffed by clinicians from Penn Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and is part of the non-profit Public Health Management Corporation’s (PHMC) Public Health Campus, the former site of Mercy Philadelphia Hospital.

The federally-funded clinic at 54th and Cedar is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They accept walk-ins and in-person and telehealth appointments and accept most insurance plans. A sliding fee scale is available and everyone will be treated regardless of their ability to pay. Continue Reading

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 West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance/Paul Robeson House & Museum (WPCA/PRHM) is hosting a virtual community gathering to celebrate the life of Paul Leroy Robeson, the distinguished African American actor, singer, athlete and activist. The event, which is marking Robeson’s 124th birthday, will highlight the many facets of his life not only as a performer, but also as a pioneer in the arts and entertainment industry.

The event will include a musical tribute featuring performances of Robeson’s classics, including spirituals and music from the Harlem Renaissance, produced by Key Arts Productions. In addition, dramatic renditions will be performed by Theatre in the X, and Paul Robeson High School students will share reflections of the man whose name the school bears. Continue Reading

There’s a chance to support Ukraine in West Philly. A benefit concert, titled Philly Loves Ukraine, will be held next Friday, April 8 at The Rotunda (40th and Walnut). The concert is featuring well-known local brass band West Philadelphia Orchestra and Sing Slavic, a West Philly-based ensemble.

“Ukrainians are currently facing a brutal invasion simply because of existing as a sovereign state striving for a freer, more democratic, and less corrupt future,” reads a message from the event organizer, Philly Stands With Ukraine (Facebook page). “Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, thousands of people have been killed, and more than 3 million people have fled their homes. To show our support for Ukrainians whose peace, freedom, and lives are threatened, we are organizing a benefit concert in West Philly.” Continue Reading

Photo by Joseph O’Connor

With less than three months remaining until the opening of the 2022 pool season remaining, dozens of folks in West Philadelphia can secure a great summer job. Each summer, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation trains and hires 400+ lifeguards to safely staff the City’s free public pools. The City is now actively recruiting at pools across Philadelphia, and is looking to hire 57 lifeguards from West Philly to make sure pools like Kingsessing and Tustin are ready for a summer of fun.

Parks & Rec operates dozens of outdoor pools each summer, which open from mid-to-late June through mid-to-late August.

Lifeguards typically work 35 hours per week and the position pays a competitive wage of $15.25 to $17.24 an hour. Free training and swim lessons are available to anyone interested in building the skills to get certified to work as a lifeguard this summer. Red Cross certification classes are free for anyone ages 16-24 who commit to working at a City pool. The Red Cross lifeguard certification course fee is $110 for all other candidates. Continue Reading

The trolley stop at 47th and Woodland that had been previously discontinued, has been reinstated after requests from local residents and officials. SEPTA and the City’s Streets Department officials announced that trolley service at 47th Street and Woodland Avenue was expected to restart this past Sunday, March 27. The announcement was made during last week’s meeting of the 48th and Woodland Recreational Center Advisory Council held at the 48th and Woodland Recreation Center.

The announcement came after months of meetings between the Advisory Council and SEPTA authorities. The Advisory Council met with State Representative Rick Krajewski last year to ask for his assistance in reinstating the discontinued trolley stop, citing concerns about accessibility for area residents. Rep. Krajewski, along with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, worked with the Advisory Council to convene meetings between SEPTA Officials and members of the Streets Department to address the issue.