PHENND’s VISTA team has grown, with the addition of Dana Kayser as the new Operations Coordinator for the VISTA programs. Dana will be working primarily on the monitoring and evaluating of the program, as well as organizing systems and creating and documenting the policies and procedures of PHENND Fellows VISTA. Dana comes to us from most recently working at the Operations Director of YMCA Macedonia and serving in the Peace Corps. A graduate of Goucher College in Baltimore, Dana is originally from New York and has done 5 years of National Service with AmeriCorps and Peace Corps. She is excited to bring everything she learned from those experiences to help amplify the impact of the PHENND Fellows VISTA program by helping to make data-informed strategic decisions. Besides National Service- Dana loves traveling, curling, dogs, and New York bagels. You can reach Dana at dana@phennd.org.

IMPACT Philly seeks to provide experiential learning opportunities for high school students to cultivate confidence and leadership skills while giving back to the community. With the assistance of Jefferson University, students use innovative problem solving methods to address needs of local non-profits and design practical solutions. 

PROJECT SACRED SCARVES

Team Sacred Scarves has partnered with the Ronald McDonald House to create 250 personalized head scarves for kids and their siblings dealing with cancer for their 2019 Summer Oncology Camp in the Poconos. The scarves come in the form of an activity kit that aims to help childhood cancer patients feel more confident after losing their hair while undergoing chemotherapy. The kits include the following: 

• Customizable box
• 1 pre-designed scarf (Jefferson Fashion and Graphic Design students assist with creating gender neutral patterns, fabric selection and manufacturing scarves) 
• 1 blank scarf for the oncology patients to decorate as they wish
• Fabric markers and stencils to have children color and make their own designs
• General decorating supplies including fabric glue, a variety of stencils, adhesive jewels/stickers etc. for use for the entire group
• Instructions for wearing scarf in various styles 

PROJECT GOAL

The goal of the kit is multi-faceted. In hospital settings, it can be used as a creative outlet while kids are administered their chemotherapy medication. Another area of focus is to partner with organizations that support patients/families dealing with cancer. The kits serve as a bonding activity to provide kids dealing with cancer the ability to express their individualism and boost self-esteem through art therapy.

OUR PROCESS

Team Sacred Scarves had an initial interest focused on finding a way to help younger oncology patients boost their self-esteem. Utilizing design thinking as their problem solving method, students were able to meet with kids who had been hospitalized and dealt with hair loss as a result of illness. After listening to their stories, they were able to create the Sacred Scarf kit to address the needs that stood out to them most. 

With the assistance and resources that Jefferson University is providing, we are able to fulfill this order. The work ethic, mentorship and talent that Renel has provided so far during the prototyping phase has been invaluable.

IMPACT Philly Team

Jefferson University 

• Louise McShane
• Team of Fashion and Graphic Design students led by Renel Forand as Project Manager

Mercy Career & Technical High School

• Business Education Students
  • Sean Colon, Shawna Henderson, Johnnie Leca
• Teachers
  • Lori Aument, Jennifer South
• Facilitator
  • Mary Ruskey

With these priorities in place, the Gompers-SJU partnership has expanded greatly over the past two years, and to date, now comprises of approximately 40 distinct programs that span approximately 20 different departments at SJU. Just a few of the Gompers-SJU partnership programs include:

Mental and Social Well-being:

• SJU education, sociology, and psychology student internships with the school counselor
• Community Health Fair

Physical Activities and Fitness:

• Upcoming Sports Fair – Gompers students and SJU athletes try out a variety of sports
• Upcoming middle school sports teams – SJU athletics will assist Gompers coaches

Afterschool Programming:

• Gompers’ Yearbook Club, Afterschool Program, and Improv Theater facilitated by SJU Campus Ministry, Student Life, and Faith Justice Institute service learning students
• Gompers’ Student Government mentored by SJU Student Government officers

General Academic Needs:

• Classroom Assistance and Tutoring – provided by SJU Campus ministry, Faith Justice Institute service learning, and education students
• Fieldwork Placements – SJU education majors conduct fieldwork hours at Gompers

Science Education:

• SJU biology’s Seedlings Program & Body Adventure Camp (described below)
• Brain Awareness Day – collaboration between SJU neuropsychology faculty and students, local high schools, and Gompers teachers and students

Special Education:

• Principal Support – faculty-principal mentorship on special education planning
• SJU Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support – faculty-teacher collaborations for professional development and student support

The 2019 Lindy Award for Excellence in K-16 Partnerships application highlighted one of our most effective and long-standing partnerships – the Seedlings Program through SJU’s biology department. Now in its 15 year, SJU science majors teach lessons to 4th and 5th grade Gompers students through the Seedlings program. Growing out of that relationship, SJU, along with Main Line Health, provide a free week-long health science camp that includes lessons, field trips and mentorship for rising 4th and 5th graders at Gompers. These two exemplary programs highlight the reciprocal nature of our partnership as both SJU and Gompers students benefit.