Grand opening of neighborhood community action centers citywide
Mayor Cherelle Parker joined the Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement and partnering departments to open the first of 11 Neighborhood Community Action Centers including one at 2600 Morris St. in South Philly.
“The idea of these Neighborhood Community Action Centers is to bring access to city services right to the people of Philadelphia where they live – in their neighborhoods,” Parker said. “These ‘Neighborhood City Halls’ are a one-stop shop for municipal government right in the communities they serve.”
Residents can come to Neighborhood Community Action Centers for assistance with any city-related issue. Some examples include filing a complaint for graffiti removal, reporting an abandoned car, getting connected to benefits or resolving a challenge with a city agency. In addition to assisting with city-related issues, the action centers will help connect residents with state and federal partners when applicable.
“As an administration, we want to be as accessible to Philadelphians as possible,” said Hassan Freeman, director of the Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement. “The action centers are the tip of the iceberg for the community engagement team. We will host public meetings every five weeks in each district for the community to have a chance to inform us of their needs. In addition, during our first year, we will have neighborhood walks where staff will walk every block in a district to identify and resolve issues.”
Once opened, NCACs will be located at seven recreation centers, two public libraries, one school district site and one church building.
Fiedler’s postpartum depression legislation celebrated at Pennsylvania Hospital
A coalition of doctors, care providers and moms gathered at Pennsylvania Hospital to celebrate the passage of the Postpartum Depression Education Act and to urge continued progress on maternal health legislation. They were joined by the bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, Gina Curry and Lisa Borowski.
The Postpartum Depression Education Act directs the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign around perinatal and postpartum depression. The department is tasked with developing a fact sheet on PPD symptoms and maintaining a list of counselors to be made available in doctors’ offices.
“Since working on the issue of postpartum depression, I’ve heard so many moms say they struggled to put a name on their feelings, leaving them isolated during hard times. This law is designed to permeate the culture of silence around maternal mental health conditions, reduce stigma and help support mothers,” Fiedler said. “This law is a major step toward charting a new path for moms and babies in Pennsylvania.”
Maternal mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-associated death in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Nearly 75% of mothers affected receive no treatment.
Other complications from postpartum depression can include problems breastfeeding, deferred check-ups, low birth weight and pre-term birth, all of which put new babies at risk. PPD can even cause behavioral, developmental and mental health challenges later in a baby’s life.
The bill was introduced in March as part of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus’ “Momnibus” legislative package, which is designed to directly confront the staggering rate of black maternal mortality in Pennsylvania. Research shows that black mothers are also highly susceptible to depression and anxiety, which supporters of the bill claim is due in part to economic disparities and racism.
Act 102 is one of two Momnibus bills signed into law this year. The other extends Medicaid coverage to doula care and was introduced by Rep. Morgan Cephas.
Art Museum offering free busing and tours to local schools
The Philadelphia Museum of Art launched a new initiative to provide free guided tours and bus funding for local schools to visit the museum’s fall exhibition, The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure.
Continuing through Feb. 9, this new initiative is available for students in the School District of Philadelphia and tri-state area Title I schools who would like to visit the special exhibition. This invitation is open to grades K-12. Educators can reserve online at https://philamuseum.org, email schoolprograms@philamuseum.org or call 215-684-7608.
Featuring the work of 28 black and African contemporary artists, The Time is Always Now includes painting, drawing and sculpture to celebrate the complexity, nuance and richness of black life. Students touring the exhibition will explore the show’s three main themes – Double Consciousness, Past and Presence and Our Aliveness – while also engaging in discussion-based activities.
Each 90-minute timeslot includes an hour tour with a museum educator and 30 minutes for your group to explore the exhibition on your own. Tours are available on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Philly schools: enrollment, graduation rates up
Enrollment and graduation rates in Philadelphia public schools have increased for the first time in a decade.
The School District of Philadelphia released enrollment data for the 2024-25 school year, showing an increase in district-operated Philadelphia public schools by a total of 1,841 students. Additionally, the district’s four-year graduation rate increased by 3.4 percentage points, from 74.1 percent in the 2022-2023 school year to 77.5 percent the following year.
“The significant improvement that is occurring across our school district in our schools is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated teachers, principals and school-based support staff,” said Tony B. Watlington Sr., superintendent of the school district. “Over the past two and a half years, student attendance increased, student enrollment increased, the 4-year graduation rate increased, test scores increased in reading, math and science in grades three through eight, and the number of student dropouts decreased by more than 1,400 students. While we know we have a lot more work to do, we are so thrilled that most areas are improving and more families are choosing the School District of Philadelphia.”
For the 2024-25 school year, the district has a total enrollment of 117,956 students, based on the Oct. 1 snapshot. Over the past year, student enrollment increased in neighborhood high schools, criteria-based high schools and in 10 of 15 regional learning networks as well as the opportunity network. The enrollment increases are due to students enrolling from outside of the district and movement between district and charter schools.
Municipal employees announce new union contract
The City of Philadelphia announced a new one-year contract agreement for AFSCME District Council 33, Philadelphia’s largest municipal employee union. The contract agreement will be for fiscal year 2025 and includes a 5-percent salary increase, a one-time bonus of $1,400 and other benefits. The salary increases represents a historic step with the highest pay increase for the union in over 30 years.
District Council 33 bargained on behalf of over 8,400 city municipal employees in the streets department, sanitation department, Water Department, police dispatch and other agencies, doing an array of jobs for our residents.
“We have the best municipal workforce in America, and I am proud to represent a workforce that works every day to the utmost to serve our 1.6 million residents,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “That’s why we are pleased to share this historic agreement that will benefit more than 8,400 members of our workforce. There will be no work stoppage in the city of Philadelphia. This is tremendous news we can all feel very good about – for our city, for the city workers who are represented by District Council 33 and for this administration.”
For a DC 33 laborer, it’ll mean an average pay increase of about $2,042, depending on their exact job classification. For a police dispatcher in DC 33, it will mean an average pay increase of $2,664.
“Thank you to every single city worker for your hard work and your sacrifices every day for Philadelphia,” Parker said. “I’m also grateful for the round-the-clock work of our administration’s team of negotiators, led ably by Chief Deputy Mayor Sincere Harris and assisted by our Department of Labor, our Law Department and numerous city officials. We are filled with gratitude for their public service.”
Protecting gays, illegals and abortion access from Trump
Councilwoman Rue Landau introduced a resolution aimed at reinforcing the city’s commitment to safeguarding “vulnerable” communities. The resolution authorizes the Committee on Law and Government to hold hearings exploring Philadelphia’s preparedness to protect immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, and to safeguard “reproductive freedoms” as the country braces for what Landau claims are potentially significant and harsh policy shifts under the impending Trump administration.
“As we face the uncertainty of the political landscape, our city must ensure that every resident, regardless of their background or identity, feels safe and supported,” Landau said. “Philadelphia has a proud history of standing up for justice and inclusion, and these hearings will be a vital step in reaffirming those values.”
The hearings will take place in January, before the inauguration, and will bring together city officials, community leaders and advocacy groups to assess the city’s policies and resources, address potential vulnerabilities and develop proactive strategies to protect “at-risk” populations. The goal is to ensure that Philadelphia continues to serve as a safe haven and “beacon of inclusivity” as the second Trump term takes office.
Landau points to President Donald Trump’s plans to ask Congress to pass a bill establishing that the government recognize only male and female genders, as assigned at birth; to use the military to help deport illegals; and uncertainty over the impact of Trump’s policies on reproductive health care. ••
Support cancer research
Philly Kicking Cancer’s Ugly Sweater Party will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, from 7-9 p.m. at O’Neal’s Pub, 611 S. 3rd St. Tickets cost $20. There will be an open bar, 50-50 and prizes for the ugliest sweaters. ••
A retreat for moms
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will present Renew and Breathe: Part 1- A Mother’s Yes with Grace and Hope on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The speaker will be Stephanie McCarthy, a Catholic wife, mother and spiritual director. The retreat is open to mothers of all ages for faith sharing and reflection with other mothers. Part 2 will be on Jan. 11. Part 3 will be on March 1. Each retreat costs $55, or $150 for all three if registered by Dec. 6. Each retreat day includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more information, call 267-350-1830 or visit msbt.org. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
