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News & Publications

Black History Month Recap!

3/1/2024

 
Learning Black History Through Art & Literature at Baring House:
Baring House Crisis Nursery celebrated Black History Month by putting together lessons and activities about Black inventors, and helping the children to identify themselves in literature and through art.
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To kick off the month the class read, “I Love My Hair” by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley followed by an activity where the kids were able to use baby dolls to practice putting beads in the hair. Children also did a craft related to “I Love My Hair.”

The children also took time to learn about the history of the hijab by reading “The Proudest Blue” by Ibtihaj Muhammad. Explaining that some people cover their hair for a variety of reasons and those who choose to show their hair will put items of adornment in it that have a cultural connection. This lesson was wrapped up with a cut and paste craft where the children made pictures to resemble the girl on the cover of the book.

The “I Love My Hair” lesson was received in an amazing way by the children, two sisters even came back in the days following the activity with beads in their own hair after telling their mother about the lesson!

The next lesson focused on allowing the children to identify themselves through art, where they painted pictures and tried to mix the paint colors to match their own complexion.

Lastly, the children learned about Garret Morgan, a black man who invented the traffic light. They did a craft where they painted bowls to look like traffic lights!

Black History Month emphasizes the necessity of highlighting Black voices and culture, not just during February, but all year round. All children should feel represented when playing with toys, watching tv, or reading a book. At HopePHL, we strive to create programming like the examples above that allows our tenants to express themselves while learning about and connecting with their culture. 
2nd Annual Community Heroes Award:
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The Cato-Parks Community Hero Award was created to highlight individuals, businesses, and organizations in our community that "Live the Legacy" of Black History Heroes like Octavius Catto and Rosa Parks - who led by acts of service to make their communities better!

This year, over 100 community members engaged in the nomination and voting process. Three awards were given to:

Individual Hero: Serita Lewis

Serita Lewis is the driving force behind UrbnSEEK and a native Philadelphian with a heart devoted to education, entrepreneurship, and community transformation. As an educator, entrepreneur, and devoted youth advocate, Serita has woven a narrative of impact throughout her journey, leaving a recognizable mark on the city she calls home. Serita became a founding organizer of March for Our Lives Philadelphia, a testament to her commitment to effecting positive change at a grassroots level. Her focus is on bringing awareness and support to the epidemic of gun violence - plaguing black and brown communities in Philadelphia and elevate the voices of the next generation of leaders.

Business Hero: Silk Tent/Ultra Silk Gallery 

The Silk Tent/Ultra Silk Gallery is a mainstay of Lancaster Avenue. Located near 38th Street they are a leading "gateway" business. Their expansion from a small boutique to include an art gallery incorporated artistic, historic, and cultural aspects of the community. They are dedicated to the neighborhood and customers - new and returning. Their monthly event series attracts people to visit other Lancaster Avenue businesses and organizations - which broadens a great community connection.

Organization Hero: "Kings Introduction to Leadership"

Chris Buney launched Kings Introduction To Leadership in 2021 with a group of community members - who recognized the need for youth mentorship. Kings is dedicated to helping youth with life skills, mental health, housing, financial literacy training, Food Pantries and much more. Chris and his Team have grown into a thriving nonprofit - serving hundreds of individuals each year becoming a highly impactful nonprofit organization in Philadelphia.
Thank you to all of our 2024 Hero Award winners for your passion and commitment to making our community a better place each day!

HopePHL Staff Highlights Black Heritage Through Food:
To wrap up Black History Month, HopePHL staff hosted an event to highlight black heritage through food. African American history has had a profound impact on American cuisine.

HR Assistant, Brittany Wilson, presented a slideshow full of interesting information that even connected Philadelphia's influence on Black history related to food! Did you know the "Father of Ice Cream", Augustus Jackson, was from Philadelphia?
Thank you to all of the staff members that brought in dishes inspired by Black culture for everyone to enjoy after learning with each other and creating community to celebrate Black History Month together!

HopePHL Resident Becomes a Positive Voice in Parenting Collaborative Group

5/9/2023

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When times are tough, people rely on HopePHL™ for a safe space to raise their children, food to nourish them, and support that helps them reengage in school or work. At HopePHL they build skills so they can achieve their goals, like moving to an apartment, finding a better job, or improving their parenting skills. When they have knowledge and experience to share, they also have a chance to shine as a mentor for others. Like Terry, who discovered new connections working with other parents.

Terry (her name has been changed for privacy) lives in HopePHL’s supportive housing. She is raising her 15-year-old grandson. For Terry, creating a positive environment for him has always been her top priority. She has gone above and beyond to ensure his well-being. Terry was the first person to sign up for the Parenting Collaborative group being offered free of charge in her building. While she gained new insights on raising a teen in this fast-paced digital age, she also has taken on the role of a mentor, offering guidance to younger parents and helping them identify job readiness skills that they need to develop. Her positive attitude and willingness to help others have made her an essential member of the group, providing inspiration to those seeking guidance.
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Her contributions to the Parenting Collaborative group have made a lasting impact, and we are excited to watch her build a sense of community with her neighbors for a common purpose — to ensure kids living at HopePHL are supported both in and out of school and have hope for the future. Because people with hope, thrive. 

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HopePHL Nominated for Metro's Philly's Best

5/1/2023

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The Metro Philly's Best voting period has begun, and HopePHL has been nominated in two categories: Nonprofit and Best Annual/Event Festival for the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival!

The voting period is from May 1 - August 7. Supporters are encouraged to vote once a day in each category.
​At the end of the voting period, the nominee with the most votes in each respective category will be awarded the distinction of "Philly's Best 2023." 
Vote for HopePHL
Vote for Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival
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Baring House Connects Families with Young Children to Additional Resources

4/25/2023

 
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At Baring House, Angie loves making connections for her families. Recently, she was able to connect a family to the Drexel Dornsife Center. One of the Baring House Moms had to attend an extended orientation process for a promising new job. She had two children in elementary school and one at Baring House nursery. Her father was trying to help with pickups and drop offs, but he struggled to manage three children at one time. Angie walked with him over to the nearby Drexel Dornsife Center and helped him to connect with the staff and instructors to enroll in their program. This afforded Mom ample time to return from the orientation to pick up all three children, and start a path to success at her new job!

Arising From Homelessness

4/10/2023

 
Two young African American men
Each day teens like Terrance (name changed to protect his privacy), in our Arise transitional housing program, find much needed support and services, often for the first time in their lives, that help them build essential resiliency skills and learn to navigate life’s ups and downs 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.

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Everyday Learning Play Spaces: A Child Friendly Space!

4/6/2023

 
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The Early Learning Play Spaces (ELSP) team has recently been hard at work on our Child Friendly Space at the Darlene Morris Love and Care family housing program. Based on ideas and feedback we received from the staff and families there, we are happy to provide a space for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, older siblings, and caregivers to enjoy together. We transformed an unused room to accommodate an infant and reading corner, writing desk, kitchen and dress-up station and much more!  

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Annual Report Released for Fiscal Year 2022

3/5/2023

 
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HopePHL released the Annual Report for the program and fiscal year from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Impact includes safe housing and shelter for 583 children, youth and parents, 561,000 pounds of food distributed, several changes in policy due to our leadership in advocacy, and more.
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HopePHL

325 N. 39th Street
​Philadelphia PA 19104


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Email: [email protected]



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  • Home
  • About
    • I Need Services
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    • Join Our Team
    • News & Publications
    • Annual Report
  • Programs
    • Adult & Family Services >
      • Family Empowerment Service
      • Family Housing
      • Parenting Collaborative
      • Parents as Teachers Home Visiting
      • Rental Assistance
    • Community Based Services & Community Development >
      • Community Outreach
      • Maynes Family Digital Learning Lab
      • Lancaster Avenue
      • Neighborhood Services
      • Rental Assistance
      • Food Relief
      • Arts & Culture
    • Early Childhood Children's Services >
      • Baring House Crisis Nursery
      • Building Early Links for Learning
      • Children's Work Group
      • Everyday Learning Play Spaces
    • School Age Children's Services >
      • Community Schools
      • The Thrive Project
      • Truancy Intervention & Prevention
    • Youth & Young Adult Services >
      • Arise Housing
      • Community Connectors
      • Community Navigator
      • Youth Emergency Service
  • Policy & Advocacy
  • Events
    • BELL Summit
    • Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival
  • Donate
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  • Contact