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" ...and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 The Urban-Suburban Partnership sought “to be a community of faith which grows spiritually as a result of creating authentic partnerships across geographic, racial and socio-economic boundaries.” Urban Suburban has now been disbanded, but the partnership efforts birthed three new non-profit organizations in West Philadelphia that minister to children, their families and older adults.
West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) WePAC grew out of collaboration among Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, multiple civic groups, churches and community organizations. WePAC invites mutual understanding among diverse urban and suburban volunteers and families. Since 2003 WePAC volunteers have mentored children in city classrooms and run an array of afterschool programs designed for fun, safety and learning. In addition to the gift of their time, volunteers have donated refurbished computers, school supplies and books. Due to budget constraints, most West Philadelphia public elementary schools do not have librarians or open school libraries. In 2009 WePAC volunteers began re-opening, updating and supporting school libraries during the school day. WePAC’s “Open Books, Open Minds” initiative is now in seven K-8 elementary schools. Thanks to the help of dedicated adult volunteers, WePAC has made it possible for more than 2,500 children to check out books, seeking to enhance opportunity by improving vital literacy skills. Moving forward WePAC will need additional library, afterschool program, and school-day academic mentor volunteers. For more information about WePAC and the ways in which you can help see www.wepac.org or contact Dave Florig at dave@wepac.org
This program endeavors to enrich the lives of children from all religious, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds through music, thereby fostering the personal and social growth of its members. More than 90 children from Lewis C. Cassidy School and James Rhoads Elementary School concluded this year’s season with rousing success. Information about the Choir and ways in which you can volunteer may be found at www.singingcity.org
The Other Carpenter (TOC) is a ten year old nonprofit housing ministry that operates in the Parkside, Mantua and Belmont communities of West Philadelphia. TOC offers home repair assistance for low-moderate income homeowners who reside in the target area. Volunteers are recruited to work together with the homeowners under TOC staff supervision on priority repair projects. All participants are taught some housing skills which enable them to make an important contribution to the project. No previous housing experience is necessary. To inquire please contact David Heaton at dtocarpenter@verizon.net.
This book group meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. September to June. They alternate meetings among Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Overbrook Presbyterian Church at City Line and Lancaster Avenues, and Wynnefield Presbyterian Church, 54th and Woodcrest Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131. Book selections are based on recommendations from the group and alternate among fiction, non-fiction, and spiritual selections. Check the BMPC Bulletin for current book selection and meeting place. Meeting dates and locations are also on the BMPC web site calendar page, or contact Carol Schmidt.
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Singing
City Children’s Choir
The Other
Carpenter
Urban-Suburban Book Group