Category Archives: Email interview

Email Interview: Mission Year

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mission year

Mission Year is an organization that recognizes the fact that Christian service and discipleship should be a year-long program.  Anyone 18 years old and above has the unique experience to undergo this year-long program and take into heart Jesus’ teaching to “Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.”  Mission Year determines areas that are in need and their teams are assigned to these areas, helping people and creating communities along the way.  Check out this post for more information:

What is your organization’s name?

Mission Year

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

Nate Martin City Director Philadelphia

Please tell us a little bit about you.

I grew up in Indiana and ended up in Philadelphia to attend grad school.  Since then I have fallen in love with Philadelphia and desire to continue to help Philadelphia to continue to become a greater and more loving city.  My path to Philadelphia was because of Mission Year which I heard about through serving in Indiana as a college student at Purdue University.  After serving in the Lafayette, Indiana area for a few years my wife and I decided to sell our cars and move our lives to Atlanta in order to spend a year serving with Mission Year and learning about the joys and struggles you find in a city.  After Mission Year I attended Eastern University to earn an MBA in Urban Economic Development to help me to better serve others.  Now as a city director I am able to help others to learn and love the city.  I am also a part of a youth mentoring and youth flag football league called Timoteo located in West Kensington.

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

Our organization began in 1996 in Philadelphia and Oakland through a partnership with EAPE.  Mission Year began in order to offer opportunities for young adults to serve in marginalized communities and to learn from and serve the communities they live and volunteer in.  Through this year of volunteering and learning Mission Year hopes that people will better understand and live out the scripture of loving God and loving God’s people.  There is also a timeline on the website http://missionyear.org/history/

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor

How long has the organization been around?

We are entering our 20th year as a organization

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

  • RELATIONSHIPS: Building deep relationships based on trust and respect with your neighbors, seeking practical ways to show Christian love.
  • COMMUNITY LIVING: Sharing life in community with a supportive team of other Christians in an urban neighborhood.
  • COMMUNITY SERVICE: Volunteering 25-30 hours a week at a social service agency that’s providing vital resources to the poor.
  • DISCIPLESHIP: Drawing close to God by spending time deepening your own walk with Christ and developing spiritual disciplines.
  • CHURCH PARTNERSHIP: Supporting God’s work in the city by partnering with a dynamic local church that’s engaging the community.
  • SOCIAL JUSTICE: Seeking justice by learning to identify disparities in power and working creatively to bring resolution.
  • SIMPLICITY: Living life without excess to better care for your neighbors and the environment around you.

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website,email, telephone etc)

Our website is missionyear.org and my email is nate@missionyear.org

Any messages to Philadelphia?

Let us continue to live out the name of our city and show love to one another.

Email Interview: B. Someday Productions at Walking Fish Theatre

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B. Someday Productions at Walking Fish Theatre

Each day, cities are presented with different challenges.  If only the community can be brought together in order to work on these urban challenges, it would have been easier to overcome these challenges.  This is something that the B. Someday Productions realized.  They also realized that theatre, literature and myth can make it easier to bring the community together with the help of artists.  Together, artists and the community can develop new strategies to work on these challenges.  Read on to know more.

What is your organization’s name?

B. Someday Productions at Walking Fish Theatre

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

Michelle Pauls, Managing Artistic Director

Please tell us a little bit about you.

I am an actor, director and theatre arts educator. I also manage and administer my own theatre company. I act both in my company and for other companies in the Philadelphia and New York City regions. I act in theatre productions, film and commercials. I also write and direct our Family Theatre Series every December. This past year I created and directed Un Viaje–A Christmas Journey, our first bi-lingual family show.

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

B. Someday started as a support and publication organization for poets and poetry. It evolved into a theatre production and presenting company, which now has a home at Walking Fish Theatre in Kensington on the Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor. We still incorporate love of literature and myth into whatever theatre production we undertake. We also try to connect with our community, offering outreach programs to high schoolers, as well as acting classes for young people and adults.

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

Our objective is to bring artists and the community together through the magic of live theatre.

How long has the organization been around?

B. Someday has been incorporated as a 501-3-c non-profit organization since 2002

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

B. Someday produces three mainstage shows every season, including one family-friendly show for our Family Theatre Series. We also co-produce many other shows throughout the year including High Dramma Sketch Comedy, Walking Fish Burlesque, music events, workshops and classes.

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website,email, telephone etc)

www.walkingfishtheatre.com AND www.bsomeday.org

Telephone: 215-427-WALK (9255)

Email: info@bsomeday.org

Any messages to Philadelphia?

Theatre is for everyone! See you at the show!

Email Interview: The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF)’s Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program

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The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship has a wide network of program sites all across the US and this post will focus on the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program.  The organization recognizes that there is a huge disparity between the “haves” and the “have-nots” when it comes to health and healthcare.  This is the reason why they aim to lessen this disparity by improving the health of those who need help most.  Check out this post to know more about them.

What is your organization’s name?

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF)’s Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

Nicole M. Cobb-Moore, MA, Greater Philadelphia Program Director

Please tell us a little bit about you.

I started working for ASF in 2006, while working at Thomas Jefferson University School of Population Health (JSPH) as the Assistant Director of Academic and Student Services. I have a BS in Public Affairs and an MA in Organizational Management. Since the inception of the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program in 2006, I have been hands-on in all aspects of the Fellowship’s programming, fundraising, mentoring, and advisory board cultivation. With a strong sense of Philadelphia, I am happy to encourage graduate students to reach their full potential by finding ways to serve our community.

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

One of thirteen Schweitzer program sites across the U.S., the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program was established in 2006 under the leadership of David B. Nash, MD, MBA and colleagues at Jefferson School of Population Health of Thomas Jefferson University. Since then, Schweitzer Fellows in Greater Philadelphia—competitively chosen from health-focused graduate student applicants in a variety of fields—have worked tirelessly to reduce health disparities in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Southern New Jersey.

Over 50 Schweitzer Fellows in Greater Philadelphia have provided nearly 10,000 hours of service to vulnerable communities. Partnering with nearly 40 area community-based organizations, these Fellows have conceptualized and carried out yearlong service projects directly addressing issues including:

• Childhood obesity in Philadelphia’s low-income communities (Alesia Mitchell, Temple University)

• The lack of Hepatitis B education and screenings available to Philadelphia’s Asian communities (Betty Chung, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey)

• Homophobia experienced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the Philadelphia area’s school systems and workforce (Noel Ramirez, University of Pennsylvania)

• The prevalence of SIDS among infants of Philadelphia-area homeless women (Alana Wright Benton, St. Joseph’s University)

• The Delaware Haitian community’s access to cardiovascular disease education, prevention, and treatment (Sheila Salvant-Valentine, Widener University School of Law)

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

ASF’s mission is to develop “Leaders in Service”: individuals who are dedicated to and skilled in addressing the health needs of underserved communities, and whose example influences and inspires others.

ASF achieves this through an interdisciplinary, service-learning model that fosters moral and professional development. This model combines:

  • mentored, entrepreneurial, community-based service projects
  • a curriculum that emphasizes values and leadership
  • structured opportunities for individual and group reflection
  • lifelong fellowship with service-oriented colleagues

Each year, the U.S. Schweitzer Fellows Program® competitively selects approximately 250 exceptional students from the nation’s top health and human service schools to follow in Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s footsteps.

These Schweitzer Fellows — mostly university graduate students –  partner with community-based organizations to identify an unmet health need, design a yearlong service project with a demonstrable impact on that need, and bring that project from idea to implementation and impact — all on top of their usual graduate school responsibilities.

After successfully completing their initial year, they become members of the Schweitzer Fellows for Life alumni network of over 2,000 Leaders in Service who are dedicated and skilled in meeting the health needs of underserved communities.

How long has the organization been around?

In 1940, ASF was founded in the United States to support Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s medical work in Africa during World War II. Since Dr. Schweitzer’s death in 1965, ASF has continued to provide direct assistance to the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné.

In 1979, ASF began sending senior U.S. medical students to work at the hospital. These Lambaréné Schweitzer Fellows work together with an international staff of Gabonese and expatriate professionals, providing skilled care through over 35,000 outpatient visits and more than 6,000 hospitalizations annually for patients from all parts of Gabon.

But ASF’s management soon realized that the same health disparities Fellows were traveling to Africa to address also exist in abundance right here in the U.S. So in 1992, they launched the U.S. Schweitzer Fellows Program. Now, nearly 20 years later, ASF runs 13 program sites across the country.

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

Leadership development for graduate and professional students; public outreach through symposia and health fairs; direct service to people and communities in need; professional development opportunities for individuals seeking to cultivate a life of service.

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)?

They can visit our website at www.schweitzerfellowship.org/philadelphia. We are now accepting applications for the 2012-13 class of Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows.

Any messages to Philadelphia?

To learn more about the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellowship Program attend one of our remaining information sessions January 9th or January 19th. Contact phillyschweitzer@gmail.com for more information.

Final Quote:       Do something wonderful, people may imitate it. – Albert Schweitzer

Email Interview: Beacon Hill Friends House

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Beacon Hill Friends House

The Beacon Hill Friends House has several missions.  In addition to being the meeting place for Quakers where they can worship and conduct business, it also provides residence for people interested in community living.  It also plays a huge part in the education community.  Read on to know more.

What is your organization’s name?

Beacon Hill Friends House

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

Christy Little, Residency Manager

Please tell us a little bit about you.

I grew up in Maine and have worked at BHFH for two years.

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

BHFH

John Greene, a Quaker, donated it to the Society of Friends in 1957. New England Yearly Meeting, the regional grouping of Quakers, didn’t want to take on the responsibility, but a few Quakers were interested and agreed to start the house as a Quaker center and residence. The articles of incorporation state our original purpose: “to advance and foster the distinctive principles of the Religious Society of Friends, to provide opportunities for the development of leadership for the Society and especially to establish and maintain a center where members of the Society and persons sympathetic to its principles, including those pursuing programs of study at other educational institutions, whether undergraduate, graduate or special, may meet together and where such persons may live, and where the principles of the Society may be advanced and fostered by study and example.” We started out as a place just for students to live here for up to a year. Over time, we accepted non-students and increased the time to two years, eventually adding a potential 3rd and 4th year for exemplary community members.

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

Parlor

Meeting Room

Beacon Hill Friends House’s mission is to “embody the Quaker principles of faith, simplicity, integrity, community and social responsibility in order to nurture and call forth the Light in all of us.” We fulfill our mission by providing a center where Friends and others can meet, worship, and study; advancing and fostering the principles of the Religious Society of Friends; offering opportunities for the development of leadership; maintaining a diverse, ecumenical, residential community guided by Friends’ principles.

How long has the organization been around?

Since 1957

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

We have an annual Weed Lecture to commemorate the second pair of directors, where we invite well-known Quakers to give a talk to the public. We have an annual holiday open house party. For ourselves, we organize two workdays (winterizing, spring cleaning) a year and two retreats a year. Retreats can be on or off-site, and vary widely in content; the purpose of retreats is to build community. In the past, we’ve explored anti-racism, community service, communication skills, relaxation and rejuvenation, and games and crafts.

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website, email, telephone etc)

bhfh.org

directors@bhfh.org

617-227-9118

Any messages to Boston?

Vacancies for residency become available throughout the year. If you’re interested in applying, please email us to request an application.

Email Interview: LEAPS (Lacrosse Education Attitude Perseverance Success)

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LEAPS

LEAPS or Lacrosse Education Attitude Perseverance Success has a unique goal – to help the youth improve their lives in and out of the classroom with the help of education and lacrosse.  In the process, they help the youth live a healthy lifestyle, by introducing the wonderful world of sports with the help of lacrosse.  Read on to know more about this organization.

What is your organization’s name?

LEAPS – Lacrosse Education Attitude Perseverance Success

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

My name is Eric Gregg and I am the Executive Director and Founder

Please tell us a little bit about you.

I am a Philly native who was privileged to learn lacrosse at a young age.  Lacrosse has been very good to me, allowing me to compete at the professional level, travel the country playing, and teach and mentor youth in the sport.  I am the current Head Lacrosse Coach at St. Joe’s Prep in Philly while I am not running LEAPS.

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

I started LEAPS back in 2008 along with fellow professional lacrosse players John Christmas and Billy McKinney.  LEAPS would be our way to provide access to lacrosse to underserved kids.  Lacrosse is an expensive sport so we decided to raise funds to make this sport accessible to those who couldn’t afford it.  We knew that we would be creating a new market, introducing the country’s fastest growing sport to kids who have yet to see it.  We also knew that we could use the sport to mentor youth, something which all of us have a passion for.

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

LEAPS’ mission is to enrich the lives of youth through lacrosse and education, as well as instill the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. All of which will, in turn, help them develop a positive worldview. LEAPS will show that with hard work on and off the field, anyone can be successful.  Our vision is to use sport to mentor youth.  We stress movement, and healthy activity to our kids and educate them on the benefits of living healthy.

How long has the organization been around?

Since 2008

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

LEAPS runs clinics throughout the year to raise awareness of the sport.  We also provide scholarships for youth teams so they can join lacrosse tournaments and lacrosse camps.  We work with the School District of Philadelphia and Camden City Public Schools to introduce the sport to kids in schools and we train their teachers to teach the sport.  We have worked with 15,000 kids and counting in PA, NJ and Delaware.  We also run community outreach events in an effort to introduce lacrosse to more kids.  Our second annual event of this nature will take place on 1/14/12 in North Philly.

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website,email, telephone etc)

Folks can sign their kids up with us by calling us at (215) 951-0330 ext 2190, or by emailing us at leapslax@gmail.com.  They can also visit our website, www.leapslax.org for more info.  Lastly, we have a few videos posted on our website that I encourage folks to watch to learn more about what we do.

Any messages to Philadelphia?

I am hoping that Philly families come out and learn the sport of lacrosse as it is a great way to earn a college scholarship, and more importantly, it’s a great way to stay active and get moving!

Catering Terms: Knowing the right terminology is half the battle

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Menu TerminologyWhen you are reading catering menus you will see terms that may be unfamiliar to you. Here are a few definitions to help you when planning the food for your next event.

Hors d’oeuvres: An appetizer served before a meal.

Displays: These are foods that are placed on a table and people serve themselves. Fruit and cheese are often presented in this manner at receptions.

Crudités: Raw vegetables cut into bite size portions and served with a dip. Usually presented as a display.

Canapés: Bite sized hors d’oeuvres served on bread or toast.

Butler served: Hors d’oeuvres passed by a server.

Stations: Think buffet, but broken up and placed around the room. Sometimes stations may have a theme such as Italian or Mexican. Others may be carving stations such as a turkey or beef carving stations. Or a station may serve mini burgers with all the fixin’s.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres: I am not sure how this term originated, but it has come to mean by some as a combination of different types of passed hors d’oeuvres, displays and stations. It is sometimes being used in lieu of a sit down meal. People sometimes think that having heavy hors d’oeuvres will be cheaper than doing the regular dinner, this isn’t true.

Reception: A reception is a stand up social event. In other words, you may not see a lot of tables with chairs. It may be held prior to a meal or banquet.

In conclusion, menu terminology are sometimes confusing, I hope the above definitions helped.

Mary Pam Kilgore, of Kilgore Business Services, LLC You may reach me through my website www.kilgorebusiness.com

Photo from Muy Yum

Email Interview: The Humane League

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The Humane League

The Humane League is an organization that promotes vegetarianism.  In the hopes of saving as many animals as possible, the organization educates the public about the benefits of being a vegetarian.  In addition, it also aims to help stop animal cruelty.  Their dream is to have a world wherein people and organizations treat other animals like how they treat their family pets.  They’re also an organization that holds the most entertaining events!  Read on to know more and to see how you can help.

What is your organization’s name?

The Humane League

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

Sara Alaica, Director of Operations

Please tell us a little bit about you.

I am in charge of organizing events in the Philadelphia area and keeping in touch with our other offices in New York, Boston, Phoenix, Maryland and Chicago!

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

Since our founding in 2005, our mission has been to save the lives of as many animals as possible and to reduce as much animal cruelty as we can. We want a world where people, companies and legislators are making choices that help and not hurt animals, a world in which all animals are treated with the same respect and compassion that we show to our beloved family dog or cat.

We invest our time, money and energy where they will do the most good for the greatest number of animals. As a result, our primary focus is on farmed animal issues. Farmed animals represent over 98% of the animals used and killed in the United States, and because they are excluded from state anti-cruelty laws they suffer intensely on today’s “factory farms.”

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

Our programs are Humane Education, Vegetarian Advocacy and our Cage-Free Campaign. We also conduct animal rescue.

Because social change happens on both the personal and institutional levels, our work addresses both. We work to create meaningful, long-term social change through shifting the attitudes and behaviors of individual members of the public, motivating them to move towards vegetarian and vegan eating and providing resources to help them along. We also campaign for institutional policy changes that improve the lives of farmed animals by getting institutions to stop purchasing products from facilities that use very intensive confinement practices such as the battery cage system.

How long has the organization been around?

Since 2005

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

Our main events are the Philadelphia and Boston Walk for Animals, and our group of runners for Team Vegan. We also have a yearly holiday party with special guest speakers. Our Holiday Party this year is on Dec 3 and has the founder of Farm Sanctuary, Gene Baur, as our keynote speaker.

As a very active organization we have regular tabling events such as our table at Mind, Body Spirit Expo, and do weekly outreach activities at colleges, concerts and festivals. We can never have too many volunteers!

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website,email, telephone etc)

Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thehumaneleague, contact us at our homepage, www.thehumaneleague.com, or drop me a line directly at info@thehumaneleague.com!

Any messages to Philadelphia?

If you love animals, there are so many ways to get involved and make a difference right here in Philadelphia! Even one hour can make a huge difference to the lives of suffering animals everywhere.

Email Interview: Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR)

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Physicians for Social Responsibility

Unfortunately, physicians have this image of being “all about the money” which is a little bit unfair considering the fact that a lot of physicians sincerely want to help.  Physicians for Social Responsibility is aiming to change all that.  Ever since its inception in 1961, they’ve been educating people about social issues that directly affect them.  These issues include nuclear war, violence, health care and the likes.  They’ve been in Philadelphia since 1979 and has achieved a lot of things since then.  Read on to know more about this organization.

What is your organization’s name?

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR)

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

Teresa Mendez-Quigley, Director of Environmental Health

Please tell us a little bit about you.

For the past ten years, as director for Women’s Health & Environmental Network (WHEN), I coordinated all programs and supervised staff, interns and volunteers. Bringing together the issues of health, social justice and environment allows me to support healthier people living in a healthier world. WHEN is in the process of merging with PSR where I’ll direct efforts on various environmental health issues, including state-wide issues affecting health and the environment.

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

PSR Philadelphia was founded in 1979 by a group of medical students who felt that educating others about the hazardous medical effects of nuclear radiation would help prevent war. In the 1980’s, our mission shifted to address urgent local needs, including interpersonal violence prevention through educational initiatives, coalition building and collaborative advocacy. We address the gravest threats to human health.

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

PSR, a public health non-profit organization, mobilizes individuals, health professionals and community organizations to promote non-violence; to safeguard the environment and to ensure universal access to health care. WHEN champions health through environmental action. The merger will strengthen both organizations.

How long has the organization been around?

PSR started in 1961 as a small group of physicians in Boston. The Philadelphia Chapter was formed in 1979.

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

Key initiatives include:

  • Peaceful Posse training for families
  • Youth Courts in schools on restorative justice and mediation
  • Bullying Prevention training for community organizations and schools
  • Educational programs, technical assistance and train-the-trainer events on climate change; greening healthcare; and pharmaceutical pollution prevention

Our newest initiative, Nature to Nurture, connects children with nature in order to improve their physical, social, emotional and cognitive health and helps them develop resiliency, respect and resourcefulness in themselves, their communities and nature.

PSR also runs Legs Against Arms, a full day of events including 5K run/walk/roll to oppose illegal handguns. Soul of Medicine engages healthcare practitioners to focus on humanistic patient care.

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website, email, telephone etc)

www.PSRPhila.org; Teresa@psrphila.org or 215-765-8703

Any messages to Philadelphia?

Get active and stay engaged in issues that affect our health and wellbeing. PSR welcomes all individuals, healthcare professionals and students, public health advocates, and community organizations to prevent violence, advocate for a healthier environment, and increase access to healthcare.

Email Interview: United Nations Association of Greater Boston (UNA-GB)

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UNA-GB

The United Nations Association of Greater Boston (UNA-GB) wants to have a stronger Boston by dedicating its efforts into setting up dialogues and educational programs.  With these efforts, a stronger network of world-class citizens is established.  They don’t focus on adults only.  They also have programs that cater to middle school students.  You know what they say about starting them early.  Read on to know more about this association.

What is your organization’s name?

United Nations Association of Greater Boston (UNA-GB)

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

Alexandra Picard, Communications Intern

Please tell us a little bit about you.

Recently graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Strategic Communications. At UNA-GB I focus primarily on media outreach, social media, and member communication.

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

UNA-GB is dedicated to building a stronger network of global citizens in the Boston area. From middle school students to business leaders, we facilitate dialogue and offer educational programs in the community and in the classroom to a broad cross-section of the New England community. For over 60 years, we have brought insightful global affairs programs to the Boston area, and today engage more than 4,000 participants annually.

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

Our programs are designed to:

  • INFORM all members of the Boston community about the critical global issues central to the work and mission of the United Nations.
  • INSPIRE our members to make the principles of the UN and its agencies applicable and meaningful in their own lives and communities.
  • MOBILIZE the community to connect with others with shared global interests and goals, to dialogue about solutions to global issues, and to advocate for a constructive US/UN relationship.

How long has the organization been around?

Was founded more than 60 years ago.

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

Classroom: Model UN Conferences, Professional Development Workshops for Teachers, Model UN Consulting, Mini-Simulations, Model UN Summer Institute, Campus Ambassadors:

http://www.unagb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=16

Community: Young Professionals For International Cooperations, Women’s Forum, Global Issues Forum:

http://www.unagb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=22

Signature Events: Consuls Ball, UN Day Luncheon, Global Voices Film Festival:

http://www.unagb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=27

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website, email, telephone etc)

email: info@unagb.org

website: www.unagb.org

Email Interview: The Frankford Community Development Corporation

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The Frankford Community Development Corporation

The Frankford Community Development Corporation (otherwise known as the Frankford CDC, or FCDC) has been assisting the Frankford Business and Professional Association (FBPA) for several years now.  The organization works hand in hand with the FBPA to ensure the efficiency of the latter.  For example, the calendar year of the FBPA is filled with several great programs since the FCDC reviews and updates the year’s Program of Work for the FBPA.  Now, this may sound boring.  But read on to know more about the organization’s fun and interesting events.

What is your organization’s name?

The Frankford Community Development Corporation (otherwise known as the Frankford CDC, or FCDC)

What is your name and what is your affiliation with the organization?

Michelle Feldman, Commercial Corridor Manager

Please tell us a little bit about you.

I graduated from Brandeis University in 2008 with a degree in political science, and spent the 2008 and 2010 election cycles working for two different national political consulting firms, both specializing in media (specifically, direct mail and TV/radio commercials). I grew up in Philadelphia, however, and love this City, so when the opportunity arose to give back by working at the Frankford Community Development Corporation, I jumped on it!

How / why did your organization start? (Background, History)

The Frankford CDC was founded in 1993 by Frankford Group Ministries, with the mission of pursuing community and economic development in the lower Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood of Frankford. The organization’s history is rich & exciting, and we would welcome the opportunity to speak about it, if anyone is interested!

What is your organization’s objective? (What does it do?)

We work to revitalize the Frankford Avenue commercial corridor (4200 to 5300 Frankford Ave), as a means to revitalize the entire Frankford neighborhood. We are currently working on several larger special projects related to economic development, but on a daily basis we work with businesses throughout our service area to help them not just survive, but thrive.

How long has the organization been around?

FCDC was founded in 1993 by Frankford Group Ministries, a social service agency managed by multiple Frankford Churches (as mentioned above!).

What kind of events / activities does your organization do?

Fun ones! No, seriously, we strategically plan our events so they will attract people from both inside and outside of Frankford to our area. We also try to bring the arts in to all that we do, and we keep that in mind as we plan events. We just finished our summer series of arts festivals (“Second Saturdays”), and last weekend we ran a very successful Haunted History Tour.

How can people get in touch with your organization (or you)? (website, email, telephone etc)

They can find us at www.frankfordcdc.com, or contact me directly: 215-743-6580, mfeldman.fcdc@gmail.com

Any messages to Philadelphia?

Come to Frankford! We have lots to offer. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or problems – we will always do our best to help!