Promise Zone Blog
First Promise Zone Housing & Health Workshop is Well Attended
January 2016 was a busy month for neighborhoods in the Promise Zone, with a variety of community events being hosted. The events, centered on housing and health & wellness issues, were well attended and enthusiastically received by community members. MORE
Voices of the Promise Zone – Promise Zone VISTA Patrick Bayer
Patrick Bayer is the Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for the West Philadelphia Promise Zone. He has served a year in the position through the AmeriCorps VISTA service program. Since his term of service will be completed at the end of February, Patrick shared some information about his experiences working with the Philadelphia Promise Zone. Read more
Partner Spotlight: Healthy Rowhouse Project receives nearly $1 Million to Repair RowHomes in Philadelphia
The Healthy Rowhouse Project seeks to improve the health of residents in Philadelphia by improving the condition of their homes. Read more
Promise Zone Housing & Health Workshop Series Begins in 2016
Mount Vernon Manor: Phase II Development
Mount Vernon Manor CDC is excited to announce that financing for the Phase II development of affordable housing in Mantua.The final plans were finalized on December 15, 2015. Rehabilitation of the three buildings, which house a total of 48 units, will begin in the spring.
Listening Session: Lifelong Philadelphia Resident & Promise Corps Member Lisa White
Lisa White, a member of the Promise Corps, shares her thoughts on being born & raised in West Philadelphia, and giving back to the community through the Promise Corps. Read more
The Promise Corps launches in 4 West Philly High Schools
The Promise Zone has launched its Promise Corps program, a college and career readiness initiative in 4 West Philadelphia high schools. The program places 25 AmeriCorps volunteers into the schools to work with around 1,000 students each year, providing them with tutoring, guidance, and exploration of various post-secondary options. Students will learn about and explore college, job training, career, and service options, while getting academic support in STEM subject areas. Read More
Promise Zone Open House
- 25 attendees were interested in receiving a copy of the final action plan
- 24 signed up to receive the Promise Zone newsletter (hello, new readers)
- 19 signed up to join a committee
Announcing Promise Zone ACT Mini Grant Round 2 Awards
The Promise Zone is pleased to announce the following organizations have received funding in the second round of the Promise Zone Achieving Capacity Together Mini Grant. Organizations who applied and were not funded are encouraged to contact promise.zone@phila.gov
- University City Arts League – Provide after-school arts classes at Samuel Powel School
- Mantua Community Improvement Committee – To support the RYYDA youth entrepreneurship program
- Chosen 300, Inc – To increase the capacity of their community computer lab
Partner Spotlight: The Enterprise Center
The Enterprise Center is a West Philadelphia-based Promise Zone partner whose mission is to cultivate and invest in minority entrepreneurs to inspire working together for economic growth in communities. The Enterprise Center family of nonprofits – which also includes The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation and The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation – achieves results in the Philadelphia region by accelerating the capacity of minority enterprises to compete in any marketplace through business education, access to capital, management support, and industry connections; by providing debt and equity capital that businesses need to start, grow, and succeed; and by catalyzing benefits for businesses and residents that spark community revitalization. Read more