For some folks living in the Spruce Hill neighborhood, which borders Penn’s campus, the time when students move out in May and leave tons of unwanted stuff behind is considered “Penn Christmas.” One can find gently used furniture, designer clothes and shoes and even a high-end surfboard or two.

For others, it’s a trash – plain and simple.

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has been working with the University of Pennsylvania to help improve the Penn community’s response to the excessive trash left behind on streets and sidewalks in the neighborhood when students move out.

SHCA prepared a short online survey to help guide these discussions with the University, which may lead to “real improvements.” Residents are asked to complete a short online survey so your their can be considered. The results will be shared with Penn partners who are working to solve these issues.

The survey can be accessed via this link.

UPDATE (3/2/2023): If you missed this event, you can watch a recording here.

(2/28/2023): A mayoral forum sponsored by CeaseFirePA and WHYY News and dedicated to gun violence, policing and public safety, will take place Wednesday, March 1. The “100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum” will be held at WHYY, 150 N. 6th St. (invite-only tickets were available for in-person attendees) and will also be livestreamed via Facebook.

The mayoral candidates will be asked some tough questions on the city gun violence crisis by three moderators: gun violence prevention reporter Sam Searles, community leader Chantay Love, and trauma surgeon Elinore Kaufman.

The forum will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.. To receive the livestream link, sign up here.

The mayor’s race is heating up and candidates will be in West Philly next month for a forum at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition, a non-partisan non-profit corporation, is hosting a Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on March 28, 7-9 p.m., at Penn (Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.). Voters can learn where the candidates stand on several issues and discuss how they plan to implement their vision for the city.

All candidates will be asked to respond to the same set of questions prepared beforehand.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information and to reserve your spot, go here.

If you can’t make it to this event, the Crosstown Coalition will be hosting another mayoral forum on April 12 in Center City.

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City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier will open a district office in West Philly on 52nd Street this spring.

Residents can visit the district office to receive help from the Councilmember’s constituent services team on City-related matters. The plans also include using the office as a space for community events.

The Councilmember’s team will continue to host satellite office hours before and after the district office officially opens. there is a satellite office meeting coming up on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Eco Foundation (5411 Market St.). See the flyer for more details.

Two long-time local groups, People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and Youth Service, Inc., announced their plan to integrate into one agency in November 2019 and officially began operating as a single organization, named HopePHL (pronounced “hopeful”), this month.

The merger marked the conclusion of a three-year integration process that blended staff, organizational culture and programs into a new comprehensive service organization for families, youth and children across Philadelphia. Together, they were recognized for 120 combined years of service excellence in 2022.

HopePHL’s mission is to inspire Philadelphia’s children, youth, families and communities to thrive by providing housing, advocacy, and trauma-responsive social services designed to promote equity, resilience, autonomy, and well-being. Continue Reading

As gun violence in the city remained at record high levels last year for the third consecutive year, several local non-profit organizations have been awarded more than $9.5 million in state funding to help develop or sustain violence intervention and prevention programs. Among them are Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania and YEAH Philly. The announcement was made by State Rep. Rick Krajewski’s office on January 19.

Here’s the full list of the grant recipient organizations and some details on their violence prevention/intervention programs.

• Anti-Drug & Alcohol Crusaders Inc. was awarded $169,000 to provide evidence-based violence prevention education and positive alternative activities for students participating in their Safe Haven Out-of-School Time (OST) program located at Hardy Williams Elementary Mastery Charter School. The school is located in Southwest Philadelphia where violence/gun violence has increased. Funds will support salaries and benefits for personnel; program curricula, supplies, and materials; training on the evidence-based curricula; incentives and alternative activities such as dance, music, art therapy, drama, martial arts, and sports; field trips; celebrations; and indirect/administrative costs. Continue Reading