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I am heartened and inspired by the life-changing work at HopePHL because of stories like Terrance’s. Each day young adults like Terrance – who have experienced housing insecurity and separation from their family – in our Arise transitional housing program, find much needed support and services, often for the first time in their lives. They work with our team to build essential resiliency skills and learn to navigate life’s challenges so they can achieve their goals.
Terrance grew up without the safety and stability that his peers had. He struggled with undiagnosed mental health issues, self-medicated with substance use, and experienced homelessness – sometimes even finding shelter in abandoned buildings. He was tired of feeling lost, wanted a home, and needed a support network of caring people.
Terrance engaged in HopePHL workshops and social events. With our case management team, he made a plan that would fulfill his goal of housing that he could afford, in a supportive environment. He worked with our Behavioral Health team to better manage his mental health and establish trusting relationships. He joined HopePHL’s policy team on a trip to Harrisburg to advocate for young adults in similar situations and met with a councilmember (now a mayoral candidate) to advocate for more rental assistance funding and mental health services for youth experiencing homelessness. This advocacy resulted in the city sustaining funding for homelessness prevention for another year.
This year, Terrance received the exciting news that he was approved for affordable housing. While he was initially uncertain about the transition, our staff provided him with encouragement and support, as well as basic home goods and transitional support to ensure a comfortable and successful move. The process of healing and accessing housing took two years. For the youth experiencing homelessness we are serving now, and across the city, this is common, and HopePHL is here to help.
Terrance’s story is just one example of the impact that HopePHL has due to your support. Your support gives us hope, and we believe that people with hope, thrive. Thank you for choosing HopePHL!
Warmly,
Kathy Desmond
President
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Emergency Housing Reopens at Gloria's Place |
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We are thrilled to announce the reopening of Emergency Housing at Gloria’s Place, which is now able to accommodate larger families of four or more in their own private spaces. We have already welcomed four families of seven to ten people, with another family of nine arriving soon. The children range in age from infants to teens.
Thanks to the city's partnership, we continue to provide much-needed shelter to these families who were previously struggling to find safe and stable housing. Here they find physical safety, healthy meals, warm smiles, and knowledgeable team members dedicated to finding affordable housing for them. They can engage in parenting education, computer classes, school attendance supports, workshops, behavioral health programs, and positive recreational activities. We are committed to meeting their needs as best we can, and while we are still in the process of assessing their specific requirements, we know that baby formula and supplies are in high demand, as well as new linens and kitchen items for when they move to an apartment.
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HopePHL's 1st Spring Program Fair Shines Hope, Fun and Information on the Community |
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The atmosphere was breezy, warm and promising as teams set up for HopePHL’s first program fair with newly branded materials, snacks, giveaways, activities and even board games. Residents, children, neighbors, supporters and more stopped by to meet the teams of the newly merged organization, formerly People’s Emergency Center and Youth Service, Inc. and were met with smiles and for some, on the spot program enrollments. People took selfies with the HopePHL ice sculpture and munched on strawberries and pretzels, while others had in-depth discussions about rental assistance and needed resources. Several supporting partners stopped by, like Comcast, the School District of Philadelphia, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, TD Bank, United Health Care, University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine, Drexel University and TruMark Financial. |
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SAVE THE DATE: The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival - 7.15.23 |
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The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival launched in 2006 as a neighborhood event, drawing a few hundred community members, has now grown to become the signature event of HopePHL™ (formerly known as People’s Emergency Center and Youth Service Inc.), drawing a regional audience of more than 3,000 families and community members, nationally renowned jazz artists, jazz enthusiasts, and partners annually. The event is planned by a committee representative of neighbors, business owners and community organizations, and celebrates Philadelphia’s Jazz Heritage, our creative arts and makers community, and our vibrant, culturally diverse neighborhoods.
This year we also created a series of Community Pop Up Events. We'll visit five West Philadelphia locations with locally based jazz performers between April 21-July 7.
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The BELL Project Celebrates the Week of the Young Child |
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On Wednesday, April 5th, The Building Early Links for Learning (BELL) Project joined the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in celebrating Work Together Wednesday as part of the Week of the Young Child. The day focused on cooperation and teamwork, which aligns perfectly with the BELL Project's mission.
The Week of the Young Child is an annual event that highlights the needs of young children and their families, as well as the programs and services that meet those needs. Each day of the week is dedicated to a specific theme designated by NAEYC, and organizations plan and implement local events to celebrate.
The BELL Project brought together several organizations at the Lucien Blackwell Community Center to celebrate children and foster relationships between Early Childhood Education programs, shelter staff, and the agencies that support them. Parents from Families Forward had the opportunity to ask questions of early childhood professionals about all areas of Early Childhood Education, while children from Families Forward and Brightside Academy enjoyed a variety of activities, including a guest storyteller, a karate class, an art activity and an interactive puppet show. This event was just one of three that the BELL Project sponsored around the city during the week.
BELL is funded by Vanguard Strong Start for Kids ®. We are grateful to Vanguard for supporting this early childhood education program.
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HopePHL Joins Discussion on the Affordable Housing Crisis |
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Drexel University's Pennoni Honors College and the Office of University and Community Partnerships organized a conversation in March that featured a panel of local experts including James Wright, HopePHL's Director of Strategic Partnerships and Major Gifts, to discuss affordable housing issues and efforts across the United States. James highlighted HopePHL’s participation in negotiating community benefits agreements related to large development projects and experience building 200 units of affordable apartments and homes to own.
The panel focused on the unresolved issues highlighted by the pandemic, regarding affordable housing in Philadelphia. For decades, a lack of affordable, low-income, and workforce housing had been a challenge, but has now reached a crisis point in almost every major city, including Philadelphia, which has the highest poverty rate among the largest cities in the country. Efforts are underway to find long-term and sustainable solutions. In addition to our affordable housing, HopePHL offers rental assistance in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, resources to help with utility bills, and is developing a rapid re-housing program for families fleeing domestic violence.
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HopePHL Receives Generous Donation from TruMark Financial |
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As part of its community outreach initiative, Concern for Community, TruMark Financial donated $7,500 donation to HopePHL for the "good work" we do in the community. Assistant Vice President Branch Manager, Carren Roach came to present the generous donation at HopePHL's Spring Program Fair on behalf of the company.
Christine Woods, VP, Corporate Social Responsibility & Government Affairs for TruMark Financial noted, "We had originally planned to donate to Youth Services and found that the merger of YSI and People’s Emergency Center created HopePHL. The chance to give back and make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable community members is the driving force behind the donation. HopePHL does such amazing work across a broad spectrum!"
We are so grateful for your kindness and support of our mission to empower families, youth and children.
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HopePHL's CDC Lends a Helping Hand |
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Lancaster Avenue business owner, Shanon Skipworth, Founder/CEO of You’re Beautifully Made, Inc. sent a special shout out to HopePHL's Commercial Corridor Manager, Dante Leonard.
Skipworth needed help organizing a community trip to the Smithsonian Museum for local youth. She noted, "Without collaborations/partnerships/supporters we would not be able to fulfill our mission, which is to serve the community! Dante and HopePHL - thank you for making these great connections and for your help with logistics. You are truly a great Commercial Corridor Manager!"
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Community Schools Mean Partnership In Service |
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We love to see amazing moments in teamwork happen like the Dobbins Partner Forum Event, hosted by HopePHL. This is one of the many School Service events that lead to great partnerships at our Community Schools.
Featured (left to right)
- Elijah Douglas: GCM for Dobbins
- Erica Makowski: Director of Family-Based Services
- Keshia Brunson: Program Manager
- Sowshan Moore GCM Supervisor for Dobbins
- Vera Jennings: Program Support Staff
- Brandon Kinsey: TIPS Supervisor
- Location: Dobbins Technical High School
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Stress Relievers to Start Your Day - from HopePHL Behavioral Health |
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Many thanks to Laurie Amado for this article. She is a Behavioral Health Therapist at HopePHL.
One thing that we are all familiar with is stress. Even trying to fit in some of the stress relievers can be stressful! Here is one thing to remember: The way we start the day sets the tone. Here are some simple tips to starting the day peacefully:
- Take a few deep breaths when you wake up.
- Pause before you rise to express gratitude. This turns the mind toward the positive.
- Hydrate yourself! You just went 6-8 hours with no liquid- drink a glass of water when you rise. Drinking enough water actually reduces anxiety.
- Avoid checking the news or other social media right away. There are so many potential stress triggers in those places! Challenge yourself to wait until your lunch break.
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HopePHL Rise and Dream Teen Conference - Saturday, May 20, 2023 |
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Calling all teens ages 13 - 18!
Join us for this exciting event happening on Saturday, May 20th from 9am - 2pm at Temple University's Howard Gittis Student Center. Expect to laugh, learn, eat and party in a safe environment with some of Philly's Finest at this FREE event!
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Criminal Record Expungement and Pardon Clinic |
3959 Lancaster Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19014
Partners: Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, Chosen300
Contact: Kevin Brown at KevinB@hopephl.org or 267-777-5920
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Utility Shut Off Information Session |
Virtual Meeting
Partners: Community Legal Services Energy Unit, Neighborhood Advisory Committee
Contact: Kevin Brown at KevinB@hopephl.org or 267-777-5920
Sponsored in part by the City of Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development
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Children's Work Group Early Childhood Conference |
Virtual Meeting
Are you a team member at a family shelter or early childhood education program? Join us monthly to learn about how to better serve young children experiencing homelessness. For details, contact Joe Willard at jwillard@hopephl.org. Register today!
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Jazz Festival - Community Pop Ups |
Featuring Dylan Band at The Porch at 30th Street Station from 12pm-2pm. Free and open to the public. Visit bit.ly/LancAveJazz for the full schedule!
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Make a generous gift today, and it will be matched by the Wyss Foundation! |
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Main Office: (267) 777-5880
325 N. 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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