May 2009

Issue 11

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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

BRING YOUR GUNS IN! The Turn In Your Guns Campaign is back at Myers Recreation Center

The Southwest Community Advisory Group's (SWCAG's) Turn In Your Guns Campaign is

right round the corner on Saturday, June 27th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Myers Recreation Center

located at 58th & Kingsessing Avenue. Help us get the word out to residents to reduce

handguns on our streets.

This campaign targets youth and young adults who car-

ry illegal firearms and use them to commit crimes or

to hurt others. This will be the SWCAG’s third Turn In

Your Guns Campaign in 12 months, which is outlined

within their Violence Reduction Plan produced by

residents of Southwest Philadelphia.

“In November, people were standing in line at 9.30

a.m. to turn in handguns or to receive locks for legal

firearms. When we held the campaign in June and

November 2008, there were many rumors circulating.

We worked hard to dispel these rumors to make youth

and young adults feel comfortable”, stated Ms. Cassandra Graves, SWCAG Member.

Some thought we were conducting a raffle, only giving away one Playstation 3. Supposedly,

we were not giving out XBOX 360s because they cost $325. One of the most harmful rumors

was that people who had warrants may get arrested if they came to turn in a gun. None of

these rumors were true. We did not ask anyone’s name, no one was arrested, and everyone

who turned in a gun either received a $100 gift card, XBOX 360, an IPOD, MP3 player, a

digital camera, or a Playstation 3. Youth or young adults who turned in 45 cal., 9 mil., Tec 9s,

40 cals., or sawed-off shotguns received the larger incentives.

REMEMBER, OUR THEME IS "NO QUESTIONS ASKED". If we want to end the

gun violence in our neighborhoods, we have to all work together to do it. The event is

sponsored by the SWCAG, YOACAP, 12th District Police, Power 99 FM, and the recreation

department. For more information, please call Ms. Marsha Wall at 215.729.2389.

In April, at the New Spirit Community Church, there were

several community events that took place. Youth, adults and

seniors were invited to

partake in the festivities.

As part of the Church’s

community outreach to

children, an Easter Egg Hunt

was held where over 50

baskets filled

with candy

and stuffed

animals were

given away. To volunteer with the New Spirit

Community Churches’ Outreach Ministry,

contact Ms. Marsha Moore: 215.727.0595.

Mrs. Betty Parks’s 75th Birthday Party,

surrounded by Ms. Raeanne Edmonds and

Ms. Marsha Moore of the SWCAG

New Spirit Community

Church’s Easter Egg Hunt

Promotional artwork for the Turn In Your Guns Campaign

Join the

WEST PHILLY TOOL LIBRARY

A place where community members

can borrow a variety of hand, power,

and garden tools to help fix up out

homes, maintain our yards, build

furniture, and even start art projects!

4620 Woodland Avenue

215.833.3190

Borrow as many tools as you need

for up to one week at a time.

Memberships are only $20 a year!

For a list of available tools and

summer schedule, visit their website

at www.westphillytools.org

JAYHAWKS: A DAY IN THE PARK IS BACK!

On Saturday, June 13, 2009,

Jayhawks Youth Association

will have its Second Annual

“Day in the Park” Community

Day on 51st Street and Chester Av-

enue, at the Kingsessing

Recreation Center. Mr. and

Mrs. Crews of Jayhawks have

scheduled food, b-ball

tournaments, music, social

service agencies, face painting,

performances, and giveaways,

which will happen from 11 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Families are invited to

this event to have fun and learn about the many organizations as well as

activities that are happening in Southwest Philadelphia. Last year, hun-

dreds braved the heat and humidity to socialize with their community.

Members of the SWCAG will be there distributing resource guides and

other giveaways to residents. Don’t miss this Community Day, it is for

you! For more information or to set up a table, please call Connie Crews

at 215.939.6283.

Power 99’s radio host, Summer, and Jayhawks

Youth Association’s Director, Ms. Connie Crews,

at last year’s celebration of A Day At The Park

WORKING YOUNG ADULTS During this employment crisis, the SWCAG helps youth obtain jobs

The Southwest Community Advisory Group (SWCAG)

continues to meet with young adults, 18 years and over,

to assist them in finding employment.

Early on Saturdays, every other

week, representatives for the SWCAG

meet with young adults who are trying

to become employed. Services that

are provided are cover letters and

resume development, review of job

readiness techniques, calling prospect

employers, and providing job leads to

attendees. While participants are not

guaranteed job placement, this service is meant to encourage them to begin or continue the

process of obtaining employment. The SWCAG is providing this service because

residents of the surrounding neighborhoods identified employment as one of the main

challenges for their community, particularly their youth and young adults. For more

information about this program, please call Ms. Marsha Wall at 215.729.2389.

Participants of the

2009 Jobs Program

Congratulations

to Daryl Nelson, who has

been recently appointed as

the 8th District Manager at

Carousel House!

Mr. Nelson is

an active

SWCAG

member. Even

though he will

no longer be Myers Rec.

Center’s Facility Supervisor,

he will still be running and

coaching the SW Track

Club. As the 8th District

Manager, he will be

supervising 24 recreation

centers and eight pools.

The SWCAG would like

to congratulate Mr. Nelson

in his new endeavor.

Ex-Offenders Program Call 215.685.3373 Help Line

Free HIV Testing 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 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 Ron Waters Office Call 215.748.6712 Mr. Nathaniel Lee

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

Senator Anthony Williams’s Office Call 215.492.2980 Alicia Burbage

Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia Call 1.888.570.2583 Hotline

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

ALL CONCERNED RESIDENTS:

The Southwest Epic Stakeholders

would like to invite you

to their meeting at

John Bartram High School

(2401 South 67th St)

On

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

At 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Please RSVP by calling

Lois Clayton

215.730.2262

Or email at Eclayton@pcv.org

We look forward to seeing you there!

Light refreshments will be served.

LOOK FOR THE ORANGE

In June, the SWCAG’s Field Team

will begin to walk in Southwest

Philadelphia to talk to residents,

business owners, and others about

services that are available to you.

About six volunteers will be in your

neighborhood giving away resource

guides, flyers, and newsletters. Please

look for the team dressed in orange

who will be coming to meet you. To

have a Resource Guide mailed to you,

please call 215.851.1836.

Enroll your kid into YOACAP’s Youth

Development Program!

Youth and parents are both enrolled into a

two-year experience that builds the assets

of youth and their families.

For more information, please call

Ebony Joyner at 215.851.1857.

This program is funded by the William Penn

Foundation and is accepting applications.