Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada’s community organizer, Adam Margolis, joined activist/advocate Alim Howell for a recent virtual public safety meeting. Margolis leads Lozada’s office of public safety initiatives in addition to organizing workforce development and labor, LGBTQ+ issues, housing and quality of life.
The virtual conversation was about an organization Howell is a member of, titled Urban Navigation, which is at 1516 N. 5th St., which is in Lozada’s 7th Councilmanic District.
Urban Navigation works to reduce youth gun violence, introducing youth to safe power sports/ATV dirt bikes and teaching them life skills. Its mission is to increase the education of gun safety and the responsible usage of legal firearms.
“The end goal is to try and get more youth involved with this organization. The Philadelphia school district students should all be aware of this organization’s efforts. Schools that are close by and in the area, for example, James R. Ludlow School and Penn Treaty School, could stop by and participate at the location. But it starts with informing our political representatives that there are options for the youth to take and that is in their assigned district area,” Howell said.
“As a community organizer I want to make sure that the police are involved with events for constituents in the district. Events can get people aware of public safety efforts our office does and make it attainable for all residents to have access to the police department with any questions or concerns. It is tough to say when the violent crimes will go down but we are aware of all that happens and want it to stop,” Margolis said.
To contact Urban Navigation, email urbannavigation2020@gmail.com, visit its Facebook page or call 215-845-5323. ••
