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 […]

Mantua, neighborhood in West Philadelphia within Promise Zone The Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) is hiring a manager for the West Philadelphia Promise Zone. The Promise Zone initiative is a place-based program designed to revitalize distressed areas by coordinating efforts across sectors and agencies and prioritizing the zones for federal assistance, essentially […]

The Block Party in a Box also contains a block party diorama. Photo via Knight Foundation blog. The People’s Emergency Center (PEC) assists West Philadelphia residents through a mix of community development, housing services and other health, educational and financial services. So why not help the community have a little fun? PEC’s Block Party in […]

The region in West Philadelphia that can apply for LISC’s new placemaking grant What is creative placemaking? Philadelphia LISC, a local chapter of a national community development organization, wants residents and community groups in West and Eastern North Philadelphia to generate ideas about how to beautify, reclaim and elevate their spaces — using art as […]

The Mariposa Food Co-op relocated to Baltimore Avenue two years ago, and while the corridor is now among the most vibrant in the city, it is also not far from some of West Philadelphia’s poorest neighborhoods. The co-op is working to reach out to these neighborhoods and all members of the community regardless of income. […]

  Local stakeholders in West Philadelphia Promise Zone gathered for announcement of new legislation to aid community. Sen. Bob Casey announced a bill last week to create special tax credits for businesses who hire from within one of the five Promise Zones designated by the Obama Administration. The Pennsylvania senator made his announcement in front […]

Philadelphia-based community development financial institution (CDFI) The Reinvestment Fund came out with a re-designed version of PolicyMap. The data mapping and analysis tool was tweaked to make it simpler to use and navigate. The website also has more functions, including advanced multi-tiered mapping and custom data tools, according to Maggie McCullough, president of PolicyMap. The […]