HopePHL, the local non-profit that provides social services, housing and community development, was recently awarded a $250,000 Housing for Everyone grant from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank.

HopePHL is one of 37 non-profit organizations selected from more than 450 applicants across several states to receive a Housing for Everyone grant as part of the initiative that has helped support organizations that are focused on providing affordable housing and affordable housing services since 2005.

The grant will support HopePHL’s homelessness prevention work, which assists people at risk of homelessness in Philadelphia to remain in their homes and avoid emergency shelter. Through case management and direct financial assistance grants, the agency’s program provides West Philadelphia families with support to overcome a housing crisis. Since its launch in July 2020, this program has successfully delivered these services to 355 families and has provided over $880,000 in emergency rental assistance grants.

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The full map is available here.

West Philly Porchfest, the annual DIY music festival where anyone with a porch or stoop can host a show, is returning this Saturday, June 3. Dozens of free shows featuring a variety of music genres will take place all over the neighborhood from Noon-6 p.m. The festival has grown over the years (it was first held in 2016), and this year, it stretches from 42nd Street in the east to 59th Street in the west, and from south of Kingsessing to north of Chestnut.

From 12-2 p.m., most performances will take place south of Baltimore Avenue, then from 2 to 4 p.m., most shows will take place north of Baltimore from 42nd to 48th Street. Finally, from 4 to 6 p.m., most performances will be held north of Baltimore, from 48th to 59th.

For the full list of performers and schedule, visit the West Philly Porchfest website.

The future of Sayre Morris Rec Center’s public pool has recently become more clear. Property of the School District of Philadelphia, the indoor, Olympic-sized pool, which was used by Cobbs Creek residents for decades, fell into disrepair and closed in 2017. But a new agreement with the City of Philadelphia, will help the pool, also used in the past as one of the city’s primary lifeguard training facilities, to finally reopen in the near future.

Last week, the Philadelphia Board of Education voted to reopen pool through an agreement with the city, which will operate the pool moving forward. The School Board also included $11 million in funding to complete necessary maintenance of the pool in its proposed 2024 budget and long-term financial plan.

“This outcome is the result of a collective effort on the part of the District, the City and the Commonwealth which have all contributed to the funding of the reopening of the pool,” said Board of Education President Reginald L. Streater, Esq.

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The vitality of The Woodlands will be on full display at the Annual Benefit on Thursday, June 22nd. We invite you to toast another year together in celebration of one of Philadelphia’s most active, significant, and well-loved places.

The doors to the Hamilton Mansion will be open, offering guests the opportunity to mingle and explore while enjoying Victorian-inspired hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and drinks—all while supporting The Woodlands.

Sponsorships and individual tickets are now available! By sponsoring or attending the Annual Benefit, you will help The Woodlands continue to serve as an oasis for future generations.

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Philadelphia’s free spraygrounds are expected to be reopened for the 2023 season on Saturday, May 27, according to an announcement by Parks & Rec. There are over 90 water-based play spaces in Philadelphia, many of them are spraygrounds or spray parks, but some sites include a single sprinkler, or spray jet.

During the season, which ends on Labor Day, spraygrounds will be open seven days a week, with the exception of bad weather days, at the following hours:

Weekdays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Weekends: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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Parks on Tap, the traveling beer garden that pops up at various Philadelphia parks in the spring and summer, will be back in Clark Park at 43rd and Baltimore on Wednesday, May 24 and stay through Memorial Day. The menu includes beers on tap, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and fresh food and snacks.

The hours of operation are:

Wednesday – Friday: 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Monday (Memorial Day): 12:00 – 10:00 p.m. Continue Reading