Drexel University and the William Penn Foundation are partnering to improve the quality of West Philadelphia child care centers by working with parents, caretakers, and community organizations. The effort will be coordinated by Drexel and funded by a three-year $1.8 million grant from William Penn. The West Philadelphia Promise Zone (a place-based community development program […]

The People’s Emergency Center (PEC) has announced that CEO and President Farah Jimenez resigned as of August 12 after four years leading the social services and community development nonprofit. “Despite what we’ve accomplished together, and the potential that remains at PEC, I’ve concluded that now is the time for me to step away and make […]

[metaslider id=30430] The revitalization of Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia, which cuts through distressed neighborhoods like Mantua, Saunders Park and Belmont, has taken place gradually. The growth of University City has brought student activity and new construction to the southern end of the avenue. Meanwhile, tireless community development corporations such as the People’s Emergency Center have […]

Kiara Molina, a ninth-grader at Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy, introduces President Obama. (Image via @Michael_Nutter) President Obama announced that a large segment of West Philadelphia will be designated as one of five “Promise Zones” in low-income communities throughout the country. Mayor Nutter and Eva Gladstein, head of the Office Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO), were in […]