August 2010

Issue 18

THETHE

SouthwestSouthwest CORNERCORNER

TH

E S

OU

TH

WE

ST

P

HI

LA

DE

LP

HI

A C

OM

MU

NI

TY

A

DV

IS

OR

Y G

RO

UP

C O A L I T I O N M E M B E R S

Audrey Allen

Paul Bailey

Tyrone Benson

Alexzina Bryant

Hanna Bryant

Rodney Buckson

Carl Burman

Spencer Canty

Andre Crews

Agnes Currie

Melvin Davis

Clayton Dendy

Stephanie Dixon

Bruce Durham

Chad Enos

Gregory Garrison

Donna Gass

Ron George

Ida Glenn

Cassandra Graves

Constance Harris Crews

Mark Harrison

Lillian Hood

Joanne Jones

Vernon Keith Montague

Marsha J. Moore

Daryl Nelson

Carol Payne

Joe Purnell

Christine Riddick

Joanne Robinson

Myra Robinson

Michael Ross

Eric Sabin Sims

A’za Sims

ChrisAnne Smith

Yvette S. Smith

Tara E. Smith

Robert Stone

Marsha W. Wall

Cassandra Whiters

Roger Wilkerson

Officer Joe Young

A P R O J E C T O F Y O A C AA P R O J E C T O F Y O A C A PP

COMMUNITY AT WORK

On Saturday morning, July 17, 2010, a line of mostly

women formed inside Myers Recreation Center located at

5800 Chester Avenue. As members of the Southwest

Community Advisory Group (SWCAG) prepared for the

Turn In Your Gun Campaign, officers of the 12th Police

District filed in to begin the gun buy-back, which

started at about 10:25 am. The goal of our Turn in

Your Gun Campaign is to get youth and young

adults who carry illegal firearms and use them to

commit crimes or to hurt others to turn them in, no

questions asked. The event this year was sponsored

by 12th Police District, Power 99 FM, SWCAG, and

the Youth Outreach Adolescent Community

Awareness Program (YOACAP)/GPUAC.

This gun buy-back is part of many activities that

are being conducted in Southwest Philadelphia by

concerned residents, block captains, law

enforcement, stakeholders, social service agencies, and elect-

ed officials. The SWCAG’s mission is to build a unified

community in Southwest Philadelphia by promoting positive

direction and empowering individuals to be

economically, socially, and mentally stable. YOACAP

continues to work with the SWCAG to conduct job

readiness workshops, generate jobs, to promote positive

youth development, work with hard-to-reach young adults,

and to improve community communication.

Linda Burnette, Founder/President & CEO of YOACAP,

noted, “RARE and similar community-driven activities

should be conducted across the city because each

community is so different.” As Marsha Wall, SWCAG’s

President, stated, “Many of the programs in the neighborhood work together because we have limited

resources. The SWCAG and YOACAP is just one example of why organizations work together with a

shared vision and mission. Programs are not in competition because we know we can accomplish more

together than separately.” For more information, please contact Ms. Wall at 215.729.2389.

Top: The SWCAG members and community residents

gathered at the summer 2010 Turn In Your Gun

Campaign at Myers Recreation Center, along with

State Representative Kenyatta Johnson.

Top Right: (1) Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter

with State Senator Anthony Williams and SWCAG

members, Marsha Moore, Officer Joe Young, Marsha

Wall and Dr. Cassandra Graves. (2) SWCAG

President, Ms. Marsha Wall, and Vice President, Dr.

Cassandra Graves, with Deputy Police Commissioner

Kevin Bethel. (3) SWCAG’s Officer Joe Young and

Captain Daniel McDonald with the collected guns.

(4) Mayor Nutter talking to police officers.

Free HIV Testing (give code 99 when you call) Call 215.724.7430 Ms. Hanna Bryant Interested in Becoming A Block Captain Call 267.939.2366 Mr. Clayton Dendy

18+ Interested in finding a job Call 215.729.2389 Ms. Marsha Wall

Youth Basketball (for girls & boys) Call 215.939.6283 Ms. Connie Crews Abstinence Program Call 215.239.8668 Mr. Roger Wilkerson

Town Watch Integrated Services Call 215.686.1422 Ms. Tara Smith

State Representative Kenyatta Johnson Call 215.726.4613 Mr. Roi Ligon State Representative Ron Waters Office Call 215.748.6712 Mr. Hellen Walker

12th Police District—Community Officer Call 215.686.3122 Officer Joe Young

Senator Anthony Williams’s Office Call 215.492.2980 Mr. Donald Cave Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia Call 1.888.570.2583 Hotline

Heat Hotline Call 215.765.9040 Hotline

Any problem that the City can help with: Call 311 City of Philadelphia

Full version of the SW Resource Guide Call 215.851.1836 Virginia Rivero-Descailleaux

YOACAP’s Youth Book Club (15-18 yrs. old) Call 215.851.1968 Tajuana Wall

F.Y.I.F.Y.I.

OFFICER JOSEPH YOUNG:

OFFICIAL COMMITMENT

Joseph Young is a very well-known name in Southwest Philadelphia. Not only is

well-known, but also recognized as one of the most positive and reliable stakeholder in the

community. With 24 years working for the 12th Police District and having over 80

community service awards, Officer Joe Young has achieved his own personal goal: To

help people improve their quality of life and to assist the community to organize &

become self-reliant.

Officer Young has been the Community Relations Officer at the 12th Police District for

the past 13 years. During that time, he has organized the 12th Police District’s Community

Outreach Programs, Open House and Southwest Pride Day Parade & Festival. Other

important events, such as job fairs, school supplies give-away, and the renowned Fun Day

for Children, have been developed under the leadership and direction of Officer Young to

build-up and improve the community.

Among his most important accolades, Officer Young

has received the Valor Award, which is the highest recognition in the Police department; and he

was first runner up for the George Fencl Award, which recognizes heroic or distinguishable

work of police officers in their communities by the residents who benefited by the officer’s

actions.

During his free time, Officer Young likes to study the Bible and play sports. Throughout the

years, Officer Young has earned a helping reputation and name as a result of his dedication and

commitment to Southwest Philadelphia.

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY!

The youth of the Evelyn Graves’

Day Camp took a

moment to surprise Dr. Evelyn Graves

with an astonishing

bowling birthday blast on Thursday, July 15th at Elmwood and Island Avenue. Nearly 40

enthusiast youth, from 5 to 15 years old, sang

joyous songs and brought a beautifully decorated birthday cake. Elijah, age 8, excited about the

event, asked, “How old is Dr. Graves?” Smiling

staff answered with a mathematical formula, which left Elijah counting on both hands.

Dr. Evelyn Graves is the Founder / CEO of

Evelyn Graves Ministries, a non-profit organization and a cultural and educational

institution serving Southwest Philadelphia and

the Delaware County. In November, the Evelyn Graves Ministries will celebrate 40 years of local

and international cultural arts programs.

FUN DAY AT THE 12th POLICE DISTRICT Source / Excerpts: The Southwest Globe Times

Police at the 12th Police District hosted more than 250 children for a day of free

food, music, face painting, a clown, music and a mural dedica­tion on Friday, August

13th at the station located at 65th and Woodland Avenue. The day was designed to

show how the police department can work with the community instead of against it.

Children came from camp sites, daycare centers

and homes across Southwest Philadelphia.

“The focus was on bringing the kids in and

letting them know they can come into the district

and have a good time and not just come here in a

negative way,” said SWCAG member and 12th

Police District’s Officer Joe Young, who spear

headed the event. The event was possible thanks

to donations he received from McDonald’s Ron

Yu, Puff of the Elmwood Skating Rink, Speedy

International and Lee Downs of George’s Check

Cashing. It is the third year for the activity which appeared as much fun for the police

officers as it was for the children.

The artwork was endeavored by the Mural Arts Program working in collaboration

with the Department of Health and Human Services, PA Department of Community and

Economic Development as well as officers and children who participated in workshops

to design the mural called “Wings of Hope,” which took five months to complete.

Both programs at the 12th Police District could not have been completed without the

help of other police officers as well as SWCAG members Marsha Moore (PDAC),

Marsha Wall (No House Untouched), Lois Clayton (Epic Stakeholders), Hanna Bryant

(NUAD), Edith Dixon (SW CDC NAC), and Eugene Sherlock (Streets Department).

Southwest Family & Community Day

DONATE A SCHOOL SUPPLY! From August 1—28, 2010

And get a FREE Philly Breakfast House Iced Tea

For more information, call 267.595.7249

A. Holloway, R. Cropper, and

Dr. Evelyn Graves

Enroll your child into YOACAP’s

Youth Development Program…

PROJECT

BUILDBUILDBUILD A two-year experience that builds the

assets of youth and their families.

For more information, please call

Ebony Joyner at 215.851.1857

South West PhiladelphiaSouth West Philadelphia COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAYCOMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY

Saturday, August 28, 2010Saturday, August 28, 2010

Johnson’s PlaygroundJohnson’s Playground

(48th & Woodland Avenue)(48th & Woodland Avenue)

12 PM12 PM——6 PM6 PM

School supplies & book bags, softball School supplies & book bags, softball

games, free health testing, meet local games, free health testing, meet local

business owners… and more!business owners… and more!

For more information, call For more information, call

Rasheen Crews at 215.807.9255Rasheen Crews at 215.807.9255 Foundationforabettersociety@gmail.com Foundationforabettersociety@gmail.com

This event is being brought to you by the This event is being brought to you by the

Foundation For A Better SocietyFoundation For A Better Society