In partnership with Mathematics, Civic & Science Charter School is hosting a

Parents With POWER! Session

“Back to the Basics”

Guest speaker Veronica Joyner
Founder/CEO of Mathematics, Civic & Science Charter

Learn helpful techniques to help your child prepare for a test
Foundational Basics—Math and Reading, the old school way
Standardize test taking tips

DATE:          March 11, 2009
TIME:          6:30p.m.—8:00p.m.
LOCATION:      Mathematics, Civic & Science
Charter School of Philadelphia
447 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Free parking available in lot adjacent school.

Children’s activities and refreshments for those who RSVP by March 9th to 215-851-1802. Children 4 to 12 years old please!

Call Elaine Ellis (215) 965-7876 to reserve your spot. Seats are limited!

Philadelphia BAEO Empowers parents by providing them with information about educational opportunities available to their children.

June 29 through July 31st, 2009

Topic: Learn to solve environmental problems through hands-on research projects and seminars

* Learn the scientific method of discovery
* Develop your ideas into a testable hypothesis
* Research your hypothesis & interpret the results.
* Explore careers through mentors, seminars& field trips
* Gain research experience to strengthen your college application
* Learn to live greener
* Tuition-free

Examples of Topics include:
1.    Science, Engineering, and Medical Career Exploration
2.    College Admissions Process
3.    Writing & Presentation Skills
4.    Library and Literature Research
5.    Social Activities & Field Trips

Qualifications:
1.    Currently enrolled in a high school (Grades 9 – 12)
2.    GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or all A’s and B’s in math and science subjects
3.    Completed one year of coursework in biology or other sciences by summer 2009
4.    Interest in environment, biology, physics, computers, chemistry, or engineering research
5.    Parental consent required
6.    Candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply

Application Information is available at: http://www.med.upenn.edu/ceet/TREES
Application Postmark Deadline:  March 1 (early decision), April 1 2009
For more information, email mytrees@mail.med.upenn.edu

Copies of the journal will be mailed to interested persons at no cost. Contact Joann Weeks at weeks@pobox.upenn.edu.

Come out and play chess with the Chess Challenge kids!

AT THE PECO-ASAP CHECKMATE VIOLENCE CHESS MARATHON

ASAP’s Philadelphia Youth Chess Challenge kids are holding a 24-hour Chess Marathon sponsored by PECO in affiliation with the Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia to checkmate violence and to raise money for individual Chess Challenge clubs.  Chess trainings will be available also.

Join State Rep. Dwight Evans for a ceremonial first chess move and kick-off event featuring
ASAP’s Dance Clubs on
Friday, March 27 at 5:30 pm.

Want to play? (Bring yourself or your team!)

Location:     Temple University
Gittis Student Center
13th & Montgomery Sts.

Dates:    Friday, March 27 to Saturday, March 28

Schedule:    5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday
Formal tournament Saturday 10 am to 4 pm (registration 9 am)

Registration/Contact:  Theo Mont at (215) 841-5834 or theo.mont@peco-energy.com

The Frank Newman Leadership Award honors the unique legacy of Frank Newman, co-founder of Campus Compact, by recognizing presidential leadership for civic engagement and exceptional students who have shown potential for civic leadership through community service and scholastic achievement.

The deadline for online submissions is March 20, 2009.

For more information about the Newman Award and a link to the online application form, see www.compact.org/awards/newman. With questions regarding the award, please contact us at awards@compact.org and include “Newman Award” in the subject line or call (617) 357-1881, x209.

I am pleased to inform you about a new publication by the Netter Center for Community Partnership’s at the University of Pennsylvania, Anchor Institutions Toolkit: A guide for neighborhood revitalization.  It is available at our website, http://www.upenn.edu/ccp/links/publications-3.html.

The Anchor Institutions Toolkit was developed through support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

This is a Toolkit for Anchor Institutions to use as a guide to rebuild, revitalize, strengthen and improve their local communities.

Each of the tools in this kit was developed and implemented by the University of Pennsylvania working with stakeholders of West Philadelphia, Penn’s local geographic community, including neighborhood associations, city officials and city agencies, local businesses, nonprofits and higher education institutions as appropriate.

The toolkit provides an overview of Penn’s trajectory in recognizing and acting upon its role as an anchor institution; prior to  and including the launching of a major effort in 1996 –  the West Philadelphia Initiatives.  The toolkit draws from Penn’s work in West Philadelphia focusing primarily on the initiatives that were launched under the leadership of then President Judith Rodin.  The toolkit’s goal is to help other anchor institutions understand the steps that were taken by Penn, the challenges the institution faced and the results.  The initiatives embody the tools utilized by Penn to effect significant major transformation and revitalization in West Philadelphia. The toolkit follows the work up to 2007, under the current leadership of President Amy Gutmann, whose Penn Compact challenges Penn to engage locally to advance central values of democracy: life, liberty, opportunity and mutual respect.

When an anchor institution considers beginning a process of engagement to improve their community, a number of questions arise. Some of which may include: how does an institution determine if it is an anchor? How does an anchor determine its capacity for engagement? How does an anchor get started?  And how does an anchor work best with its adjacent neighbors?

We look forward to your comments on the toolkit.

Sincerely,

Joann Weeks
Associate Director, Netter Center for Community Partnerships
University of Pennsylvania
215-898-5351
weeks@pobox.upenn.edu

Trinity Cooperative Day Nursery  – Director of Programs.  Trinity Cooperative Day Nursery in Swarthmore, Delaware County, is seeking a Director of Programs. TCDN provides quality care in a community based preschool and before/after school care in the Wallingford Swarthmore school district. Candidate must be familiar with the state and national quality initiatives and accreditations and how to implement the criteria. Must have completed the Early Childhood Director Certificate of Competency and a degree in Education (preferably in Early Childhood). PQAS trainer a plus. Please send your cover letter and resume to ps.tcdn@gmail.com.

Resources for Children’s Health – Nurse.  Resources for Children’s Health has an immediate opening for a nurse to work as part of a nursing/social work team in its HIP program.  HIP provides home-based case management for families who have a child with special health care needs.  The nurse will counsel families on health care issues and options, perform non-invasive screenings and assessments, review past records and other medical documentation for families, and provide referrals and linkages to services and resources. Email a resume and cover letter to Jeanne Ciocca at jeanne@phmc.org or mail to her attention at RCH, 260 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA  19102, or fax to 267-765-2325.

To ensure that Pennsylvania is able to garner its fair share of resources from the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey has released a guide for Pennsylvanians detailing how the money from the Act will flow.

The guide contains background and contact information for programs that are included in the economic stimulus package. It is intended to provide local government officials and other community leaders with up-to-date information on how to tap into available funding.

To download the guide, click here.

http://casey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Sen.%20Casey%20-%20Recovery%20and%20Reinvestment%20guide.pdf

Wal-Mart is offering grants of at least $25,000 to nonprofit organizations sponsoring projects in education, health and wellness, job training and the environment.

For more information, click here.
http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/8168.aspx?p=8979

YOUTHadelphia is the Youth Advisory Committee of the Philadelphia Foundation’s Fund For Children. The mission of YOUTHadelphia is to give Philadelphia teens opportunities to build youth leadership through philanthropy and civic engagement. YOUTHadelphia provides grants of up to $15,000 for youth led and youth engaged projects.

Applications for the new round of funding must be made by April 10th.  For more information, click here.

https://www.philafound.org/ForNonprofits/DiscretionaryGrantmaking/FundforChildren/TheYOUTHadelphiaProgram/tabid/254/Default.aspx

See also: Youth Engagement Summit

http://updates.phennd.org/2009/03/youth-engagement-summit/

Pathways PA’s second annual PathWays to the Stars Charity Art Show and Auction will take place on March 29th, 4-7pm at the Waterford Ballroom of the Radisson King of Prussia, 1160 First Avenue.

100% of proceeds from the silent auction and 30% of proceeds from art sales will benefit the vulnerable women, children and families served by PathWays PA.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. To purchase tickets, please call 610-543-5022 x234, or click here.

https://pathwayspa.ticketleap.com/

Free Event! Food! Music! Dancing! Games! Prizes! Fun!

We are looking for young poets to enter the Poetry for Peace contest and perform their poetry onstage as spokespersons for peace.

Cash prizes! * Recognition! * Awards!
50 Winners’ Poems will be published in a chapbook

Write a poem about creating peace in 100 words or less!

Contest Rules & Guidelines
1) Write a Poem
• 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12th graders write a poem about what a world with peace would look like.
2) Deadline is March 15, 2009
• Poems must be typed or neatly handwritten.
• Poems must be emailed, US mail postmarked, or hand delivered by March 15, 2009.
• You must include your name, phone number, mailing address, and email.
3) Must come to the Celebration of Youth in April to win!
• Must be present to win. Come prepared to do your poem.
• Final winners will be announced and will perform at event.
• Time: 10:00am- Arrive on time!!

Send your poem to:
PSR
Poetry for Peace Contest
704 North 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

or email it to:
poetry@LegsAgainstArms.org

Physicians for Social Responsibility
invite you to join us at

Legs Against Arms
April 2009

Legs Against Arms is a 5K Race/Walk followed by a Celebration of Youth in support of reducing youth violence. This event encourages youth and adults to come together to strengthen their legs as they send a clear message opposing illegal handguns in Philadelphia. Young people will be able to showcase their unique talents, resilience, and potential for a future filled with hope, not harm at the Celebration of Youth.

7:00am – Race Registration Opens

8:30am – Race Start Time (Youth 14 & under run/walk for FREE, Runners/walkers age 15 & over pay fee, ***ALL runners/walkers under age 18 require parent/guardian signature)

10:00am- Celebration of Youth – Music, dance and poetry- FREE
Educational venues for participants, family and friends- FREE

For more information, please visit: http://www.LegsAgainstArms.org

Additional information about Physicians for Social Responsibility and our programs is available at: http://www.psrphila.org

The Health Departments of Bucks and Montgomery Counties are sponsoring an Emergency Preparedness Conference for Community-Based Organizations and Service Providers on Friday, April 17th from 8am to noon at the Temple University Fort Washington Campus, Room 22, 425 Commerce Drive.

Topics will include the types of emergencies that we face in the region,  perspectives on emergency planning from local agencies, promoting personal preparedness for emergencies, ensuring organizational preparedness, and information on the Special Needs Registry and ReadyNotifyPA.

For more information or to register, email Marialisa Ramirez at Marialisa.Ramirez@phila.gov or call 215-685-6462.

Maternity Care Coalition, which serves mothers and their babies in neighborhoods affected by poverty, infant mortality and changing patterns of immigration, is seeking several new Board members.

The organization is looking for individuals who are interested in the mission of MCC and have skills or connections in public relations or marketing; corporate leadership; financial expertise; personal wealth or access to resources to help with fund development; public health, social services or related academic fields; public policy; non-profit leadership; entrepreneurship; and early childhood education.  Men and people of color are of particular interest.

Board terms are for three years and responsibilities include commitment to participate on at least one committee; attendance at Board meetings held every other month; making MCC a primary benefactor organization in terms of the Board member’s contributing funds and volunteering time.

For more information or to express your interest, email Haley Singer at hsinger@MOMobile.org or call 215-989-3549.

The North Penn Nonprofit Academy will hold Working Smarter by Working Together: Partnering and Pooling Resources in Difficult Times, a free capacity-building workshop for North Penn Nonprofit Academy participants, on March 17th.

The worsening economy has led to an increase in demand for services, while at the same time, funding for programs and operations is being cut at alarming rates.  At recent meetings of Delaware Valley Grantmakers’ membership, funders have expressed interest in stretching their grant dollars through supporting collaborations that would help nonprofits streamline their efforts and reduce costs, including program-related partnerships and feasibility studies for mergers.  This workshop will feature an interactive discussion led by Fernando Chang-Muy, Esq., who has successfully led collaborations among both funders and nonprofits, about win-win partnerships that both further mission and decrease costs.

The workshop will be offered 8:30-11:30am and again from noon-3pm at Community Partners: Center for Nonprofit Management, Walton Meeting Room, 2506 N. Broad St, Colmar. Directions are available here.

http://www.npchf.org/directions/directions.htm

For more information, email npnonprofitacademy@hotmail.com or call 215-696-9336.

Deadline: September 8, 2009

The WHO (Women Helping Others) Foundation (http://www.whofoundation.org/) supports community-focused charities that serve the overlooked needs of women, children, and families in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Funding will be considered for tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charities that have been incorporated for at least three years and that have total organizational budgets of $3 million or less. Preference will be given to organizations that are not dependent on government grants and those with greater organizational program costs than personnel costs. Organizations that have previously received a WHO Foundation grant should wait three years before applying again.

Grants are not provided to individuals, educational institutions, religious institutions, or governmental agencies, or for endowment campaigns, political causes, or capital campaigns.

Complete funding guidelines and eligibility restrictions are available at the WHO Foundation Web site.

RFP Link:  http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15017078/whofoundation

For additional RFPs in Women, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_women.jhtml

Deadline: May 20, 2009

National Geographic and Ashoka Changemakers (http://www.changemakers.net/) have announced the second annual global Geotourism Challenge. This year’s theme is Power of Place — Sustaining the Future of Destinations.

This collaborative competition is designed to identify and showcase innovators, both individuals and organizations, that directly or indirectly promote tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

The competition is open to all types of organizations (charitable, private, or public) from all countries. Entries must describe how a program or activity is new and different. Projects must be beyond the idea stage and able to prove success on the local, regional, or global level. The innovation should demonstrate the potential to be successfully replicated in other places and to become self-sustaining.

Competition entries will be posted online and made available for anyone to view and collaborate with by providing new ideas and connections to new resources, and by asking insightful questions. A panel of judges will select finalists from the entries, and the Changemakers community will then vote online to select three award winners. The three winners will each receive a cash prize of $5,000.

Entries must be submitted in English or Spanish. Visit the Changemakers Web site for complete competition information and to nominate or enter a program.

RFP Link:  http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15017072/changemakers

For additional RFPs in Environment, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_environment.jhtml

Deadline: May 15, 2009

The Earth Island Institute’s (http://www.earthisland.org/) annual Brower Youth Awards honor young people ages between the ages of 13 and 22 living in North America for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and social justice advocacy.

Award winners will have demonstrated “outstanding leadership” by playing a major leadership role in creating, organizing, and implementing a project. The project should fall under one or more of the following categories: conservation — work to eliminate or decrease the use of natural resources and the negative impacts on ecosystems and communities; preservation — work to protect ecosystems, species, indigenous cultures, and other irreplaceable elements of the world’s natural heritage; and restoration — work to re-establish the healthy functioning of ecosystems, parts of ecosystems, and human communities that manage ecosystems.

Six winners will each receive a $3,000 cash prize, a trip to California for the award ceremony and a wilderness camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at the Earth Island Institute.

Visit the Brower Youth Awards Web site for complete program information.

RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15017070/browerawards

For additional RFPs in Environment, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_children.jhtml