This new book by Byron P. White reimagines community engagement as an essential operational driver for sustaining universities and offers a bold alternative to the customer-focused strategies many colleges seek to regain stability.

Across eight chapters informed by interviews with higher education leaders, examination of emerging frameworks, and compelling profiles of exemplary institutions, White showcases innovative principles and practices that advance strategic priorities and foster community-focused structures. Tailored for higher education leaders, community engagement practitioners, and scholars, this volume makes a compelling case for integrating public impact with organizational transformation.

Register here

Since this is the first PHENND Book Club, I’m leaving ample time to read it — all summer long!

I’m also fine with an online discussion or in-person at the PHENND office (or elsewhere). Hoping a summer Friday will be less busy. If you’re interested but not sure of the date or format, sign up anyway and I will poll the registrants about those details. If successful, we can make this a regular thing and choose a new selection. Perhaps with the cadence of once a quarter…

-Hillary

LOCATION CONFIRMED:

Entertainment and Community Education Center
1509 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Room 214

The Warm Handoff: Successful Student Transitions to High School, College and the Work Force
Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at Community College of Philadelphia

Registration is now open!

Smooth transitions can make all the difference in a student’s educational journey.  The 2026 PHENND K-16 June Institute will explore strategies, programs, and partnerships that create “warm handoffs” — intentional, relationship-centered approaches that ensure students are supported as they move from one educational stage to the next.

Educators, counselors, college access professionals, and administrators should join us to share–and learn from– effective models for collaboration, data sharing, mentoring, and student engagement that bridge the gaps between schools, institutions and the work force. Participants will leave with practical tools and insights to strengthen continuity, belonging, and success during critical transition points.

We are excited to announce that the morning will kick off with a conversation between CCP President Dr. Alycia Marshall and President Emerita Elaine Maimon.

This year the June Institute will cost $25 to attend and we ask that you register in advance. Limited scholarships are available. The Institute will take place in the Great Hall of Community College of Philadelphia’s Winnett Student Life Building (1700 Spring Garden Street). Registration and breakfast will be available beginning at 8:30am and lunch will be provided as well. The program will begin at 9:00am. Feel free to bring materials for the resource tables and please spread the word!

Please click here for more information and to register.

Become an AmeriCorps VISTA and support local nonprofits and schools in the fight against poverty.

Join us for a Virtual Information Session to learn more!

We are holding monthly recruitment information sessions about our PHENND Fellows AmeriCorps VISTA program, with the next being on Monday, April 20, 2026, 12:15 PM.

Please spread the word to any students you know who are graduating in 2026 and looking into possible post-grad positions in social impact fields. Our program has two tracks: school-based community partnerships and non-profit organizations around Philadelphia.

Register here.

Calling educators of all kinds! Join a collaborative cohort of educators committed to recognizing and understanding the whole learner.

In Fall 2026, PHENND will again offer a four-part series for educators of all kinds* in the Philadelphia region, explore trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches to incorporate in your classrooms and beyond, and help educators consider the ways both structure and flexibility are key to a successful learning environment. The series uses both theory and practical tools to help educators create a supportive learning environment for all students and develop a learning community that promotes belonging and safety. The group will explore moving from trauma reducing to healing centered practices using a strengths-based lens. Themed sessions will examine educator self-awareness, our work with our learners, and the policies and practices of our organizations. Participants will learn from a combination of guided facilitation, short reading assignments, and their own reflections on their teaching practice (as well as the shared reflections of others). Each individual will leave with a practical portfolio of hands-on tools and action items to use in their learning spaces and organization.

Apply here

*This series is open to educators across the spectrum, whether school-based, university-based, or community-based. If you work with learners, this is for you!

Participants should expect each of the four sessions to take 2 hours with brief amounts of homework/reading in between sessions. See the session-by-session learning goals here.

The upcoming cohort will meet at the following dates and times. Please mark your calendars!

• September 30, 3-6pm (in-person, location TBD, Session 1)
• October 7, 3-5pm (virtual, Session 2)
• October 14, 3-5pm (virtual, Session 3)
• October 21, 3-5pm (virtual, Session 4)

Cost to participate in the series is $250 (total). A small number of scholarships are available. We also encourage teams of educators from the same institution/school/organization to participate and can negotiate group rates. If you would like a scholarship or to negotiate a group rate, please select “Pay by Invoice” so you do not have to enter credit card info at this time and we will follow-up via email.

Enrollment will end Friday, September 19th. The course will only run if at least 15 people register. We will confirm that the course is or is not running by Monday, September 28th. If the course does not run, you will get a full refund.

Apply here

The Warm Handoff: Successful Student Transitions to High School, College and the Work Force

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Community College of Philadelphia

Smooth transitions can make all the difference in a student’s educational journey.  The 2026 PHENND K-16 June Institute will explore strategies, programs, and partnerships that create “warm handoffs” — intentional, relationship-centered approaches that ensure students are supported as they move from one educational stage to the next.

Educators, counselors, college access professionals, and administrators should join us to share–and learn from– effective models for collaboration, data sharing, mentoring, and student engagement that bridge the gaps between schools, institutions and the work force. Participants will leave with practical tools and insights to strengthen continuity, belonging, and success during critical transition points.

This latest round of awardees brings 15 new projects into the mix—spanning art, history, civic engagement, education, and culture—and reflects the incredible creativity and collaboration happening across our region.

Each project connects students, faculty, and community partners in exploring the region’s vital role in the nation’s founding and future.

Explore all 28 projects on the Campus250 homepage.

5-8 serve as Community Partnership Coordinators each at a different school in the city of Philadelphia
2 serve in the School District of Philadelphia main offices

About this project:

This is the 13th year of the PHENND Fellow AmeriCorps VISTA project in which VISTAs are placed in selected Philadelphia public schools and offices at the School District of Philadelphia to help manage, develop, and track external community partners. (We also have another cohort of VISTAs placed with local nonprofit agencies.  See separate postings for those positions.)

About the school-based positions:

The PHENND Fellow AmeriCorps VISTAs sought for this coming year will coordinate and facilitate partnerships between their school and existing and/or potential outside community partners with the goal of integrating their services into the school’s schedule and meeting major school needs, thereby ensuring that these partnerships are mutually beneficial, sustainable and serving students effectively.  The VISTAs will work directly with administrators and teachers to ensure strong communication between and among external partners and key school leadership.

Primary Goals:

The school-based Community Partnerships Coordinator VISTA will build their school’s community partnership capacity in four major areas through specific initiatives:

1) Documentation/Needs Assessment – collect information on current partners; assess needs of the school from various school constituencies;

2) Communication/Relationship Building – assist in communication strategy for the school (monthly calendar, newsletter and/or social media, etc.), provide support for communication between school and partners as well as inter-partner relations, facilitate a once-monthly stakeholder meeting to discuss events, strategies, and collaborative efforts;

3) Strategic Planning – work to create systems within the school to further the strength of relationships in and outside of the school, support leadership in working to incorporate partners to address school needs;

4) Evaluation – track number and type of community partnerships, engage partners in evaluation of the school-community partnership landscape.

Apply for a school-based position here (please note you will need to build an online profile on the AmeriCorps website before applying to this position).

Requirements for all positions include:

•    Outstanding oral and written communication skills
•    Ability to network and build relationships with diverse constituencies
•    Comfort with a school-based work environment and interactions with teachers, students and staff on a daily basis
•    Passion for improving educational opportunities for low-income youth
•    Familiarity with the general landscape of urban schooling and the role of community partnerships  in Philadelphia
•    Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as needed
•    Facility with word processing and managing databases
•    Willingness to navigate public transit

Preferred, but not required:

•    Spanish proficiency (for some placements)
•    Interest in STEM and the health sciences (for some placements)
•    Interest in the visual and performing arts (for some placements)

Timeline
•   Today-June 30– Online applications accepted on a rolling basis
•   March 15-June 15 – First round telephone interviews completed
•   May 1-June 1– Second round interviews and school matching interviews
•   June 23 – Latest date candidates notified
•   June 30 – Latest date candidates’ commitment expected
•   August 10, 2026 – VISTA term start date
•   August 9, 2027 – Service year ends

Compensation:
AmeriCorps VISTAs commit to a full-time year of service for a minimal living stipend of approximately $24,894 per year. VISTA members are provided health coverage and loan forbearance for any current federal student loans. Upon completion of the full year, they also receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of approximately $7,395 that can be used to pay for future educational expenses and/or pay off federal student loans. Free monthly public transportation pass provided. Members also have access to member emergency fund through the City of Philadelphia.

Training: Robust orientation and monthly training provided.

Post-service benefits include: (1) Schools of National Service tuition discounts at select colleges (2) Employers of National Service and (3) AmeriCorps Alumni Network

If you have any questions, please contact Eden Kainer at ekainer87@phennd.org.

Become an AmeriCorps VISTA and support local nonprofits and schools in the fight against poverty.

Join us for a Virtual Information Session to learn more!

We are holding monthly recruitment information sessions about our PHENND Fellows AmeriCorps VISTA program, with the next being on Monday, April 6, 2026, 12:15 PM.

Please spread the word to any students you know who are graduating in 2026 and looking into possible post-grad positions in social impact fields. Our program has two tracks: school-based community partnerships and non-profit organizations around Philadelphia.

Register here.

Through establishing the K-16 Partnerships Network at PHENND, he hoped to bring that philosophy to the world of university-school partnerships. The Lindy Award seeks to honor partnerships that focus on meeting articulated school and community needs and that have goals for long-term commitment.  This year, the Awards will also recognize a newly formed partnership (less than one year old) that shows great promise.  At the 2026 K-16 Partnerships Network June Institute, all the Lindy Award winners will be recognized and share a total of $5,000 to enhance the mission and vision of the partnerships (e.g., partner meetings, collaborative technologies, trainings, celebrations, outreach).

Deadline: May 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM

For information about eligibility, and to apply, please click here.  Questions? Contact Janine Wright at jwright126@phennd.org.

The report also includes brief summaries from many of our member institutions about their community partnership activities.

To download the report, visit: 24-25 Annual Report

About this project:

PHENND Fellows places passionate and talented college graduates with local Philadelphia nonprofits as AmeriCorps VISTA members. The program has a three-fold mission (1) Support local nonprofits fighting poverty across a wide range of issues (2) Train and retain local talent to stay and work in Philadelphia and (3) Develop the next generation of nonprofit leaders.

PHENND Fellows will have up to 20 specific sites for the 2026-2027 program year. Each of those positions will be listed separately on MyAmeriCorps and if you have a specific interest in one or more of them, please apply for them directly. You will find all of them once you search the listings using “PHENND” as the program name.

Benefits & Compensation

AmeriCorps VISTAs commit to a full-time year of service for a minimal living stipend of approximately $24,894 per year. VISTA members are provided health coverage and loan forbearance for any current federal student loans. Upon completion of the full year, they also receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395 that can be used to pay for future educational expenses and/or pay off federal student loans. SEPTA Trailpass provided. Note, we expect most sites to be in-person, though there may be some that are hybrid.

All PHENND Fellows will also receive extensive professional development as a cohort, in addition to any site specific training. PHENND Fellows participate in monthly training and have access to other special events and professional development. PHENND Fellows are also allowed to take up to two courses at the La Salle Nonprofit Center (or other similar conferences/training) paid for by the program.  PHENND Fellows will also be provided with a monthly all-system trailpass. Members also have access to member emergency fund through the City of Philadelphia.

Post-service benefits include: (1) Schools of National Service tuition discounts at select colleges (2) Employers of National Service and (3) AmeriCorps Alumni Network

Timeline

Mar 17-Jun 30 — Application open.  Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Expect a phone interview if your application passes an initial review.
March 31-June 3 — Top candidates interviewed by one or more host site organization.  Offers made.
June 15-June 28 — Deadline to accept PHENND Fellow offer
August 10, 2026 — Program start date
August 9, 2027 – Program end date

If you have any questions, please contact Eden Kainer at ekainer87@phennd.org. Please refresh this page (or clear your cache) to make sure you are seeing the most up-to-date list.

2026-2027 Sites

Links to postings for specific sites/positions below. Most sites have been filled but the following are still recruiting.

PHENND Fellows – Tech, Education and Arts Integration Coordinator (BuildABridge)

PHENND Fellows – School Partnerships, Health Institute Coordinator (CHOP Health Institute at Hardy)

We also have several positions based in public schools as Community Partnership Coordinators as well as two positions at the School District of Philadelphia. Please see that posting here.

Become an AmeriCorps VISTA and support local nonprofits and schools in the fight against poverty.

Join us for a Virtual Information Session to learn more!

We are holding monthly recruitment information sessions about our PHENND Fellows AmeriCorps VISTA program, with the next being on Monday, March 23, 2026, 12:15 PM.

Please spread the word to any students you know who are graduating in 2026 and looking into possible post-grad positions in social impact fields. Our program has two tracks: school-based community partnerships and non-profit organizations around Philadelphia.

Register here.

Coaches work with students in grades 10th-12th, who have been identified as needing support with post-secondary planning by school counselors. Each coach will be assigned a host school and will work directly with school guidance counselors, to develop long and short-term plans leading to postsecondary entry solutions for students they coach. AmeriCorps Coaches will conduct individual 1:1 coaching sessions with students and develop a plan that will lead to the student’s desired postsecondary option while also offering general academic support as needed to remain on track towards high school graduation.

Promise Corps Coaches commit to a year of service (1200 hours) for a living stipend of $1026.92 bi-weekly. AmeriCorps members are provided health coverage if needed, and loan forbearance for any current federal student loans. Upon completion of the program, they also receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of approximately $5,176.50 that can be used to pay for future educational expenses and/or pay off federal student loans. SEPTA Trailpass provided for all positions.

Post-service benefits include: (1) Schools of National Service tuition discounts at select colleges and graduate schools (2) preferential hiring with Employers of National Service and (3) AmeriCorps Alumni Network

Timeline
• now-Jun 30 – Online applications accepted on a rolling basis
• August 20, 2026 – AmeriCorps term start date
• August 19, 2027 – Service year ends

We are now formally recruiting for the 26-27 program year.

Learn more and apply here.

QUESTIONS? Email: Addie.Boccuzzi@phennd.org

The Next Steps AmeriCorps is designed as a college retention initiate for rising sophomores and juniors who are Pell-eligible graduates of high poverty school districts. The Next Steps AmeriCorps program engages college students in community service, mentoring, supportive workshops and leadership development. Participants known as Corps members, complete 300 hours of community service in the course of one year. Corps are placed with community service placements and also mentor one incoming first-year student as part of their service. Team Leaders will be an integral part of the Next Steps AmeriCorps program and will be placed either at Arcadia University, Chestnut Hill College, Community College of Philadelphia, La Salle University, Penn State Abington, Penn State Brandywine, or Temple University.

Next Steps Teams Leaders commit to a full-time year of service (1700 hours) for a living stipend of $26,700 per year. AmeriCorps members are provided health coverage if needed, and loan forbearance for any current federal student loans. Upon completion of the full year, they also receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of approximately $7,395 that can be used to pay for future educational expenses and/or pay off federal student loans. SEPTA Trailpass provided for all positions; mileage reimbursement for non-commuting work-related travel for positions located outside Philadelphia.

Post-service benefits include: (1) Schools of National Service tuition discounts at select colleges and graduate schools (2) preferential hiring with Employers of National Service and (3) AmeriCorps Alumni Network

Timeline
• now-Jun 30 – Online applications accepted on a rolling basis
• August 20, 2026 – AmeriCorps term start date
• August 19, 2027 – Service year ends

We are now formally recruiting for the 26-27 program year.

Learn more and apply here.

Thursday, March 5th
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT

Our event will take place at Big Brothers Big Sisters, 100 N 20th St, 5th Floor

PHENND manages three AmeriCorps programs that place (mostly) young professionals in transformative service positions for the year.  We have our PHENND Fellows, who are AmeriCorps VISTAs that are working towards completing a year of public service in local nonprofits or district schools. At their sites, they work to build capacity for their organization to better serve the Philadelphia community. We have our Next Steps AmeriCorps Team Leaders, who are serving on area campuses, supporting college completion for low-income and first gen students.  And we have our Promise Corps members who are serving as College and Career Coaches in local high schools in West Philadelphia.

Come meet them all! Our networking reception aims to facilitate new professional, social, and community-based connections among nonprofit and education professionals in the Philadelphia area.

We welcome you to come meet our fellows, ask about their year of service, and create new connections with these young public service professionals!

Please consider joining us earlier in the day to speak on an alumni panel (if you served in AmeriCorps), speak on a career panel, or help with mock interviews and resume reviews.

The networking reception is sponsored by St. Joseph’s University who will be on hand to discuss their mission discount for year of service alumni.

RSVP here!

Interested in making an impact on students, families, and communities in Philadelphia?

Become an AmeriCorps VISTA and support local nonprofits and schools in the fight against poverty.

Join us for a Virtual Information Session to learn more!

We are holding monthly recruitment information sessions about our PHENND Fellows AmeriCorps VISTA program, with the next being on Monday, March 2 March 9, 2026, 12:30 PM.

Please spread the word to any students you know who are graduating in 2026 and looking into possible post-grad positions in social impact fields. Our program has two tracks: school-based community partnerships and non-profit organizations around Philadelphia.

Register here.

Staff at the Catto Scholarship program at the Community College of Philadelphia decided to be proactive about this phenomenon and have created a departmental badging system to help address it.  This system includes a series of trainings for members of the institution to learn more about different departments and become subject matter experts to better support CCP students.

Come hear how the idea came to be, initial staff reactions and what has been learned in the process.  Bring your questions and your own examples of how your organization has supported better collaboration among programs and departments.

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1:00-2:30 PM

Register in advance here.

Register here: https://upenn.zoom.us/meeting/register/3_ytKxxSRuuo3VYJ08Jr5A

Calling all college access and success professionals! Grab your lunch and come learn about the new What’s Your Plan? Family and Student Resource Guide available free of charge to any and all. Created by the CASE On Time High School Graduation action team, the guide is designed to empower families and students toward successful postsecondary educational outcomes that lead to fulfilling careers. Spend a few minutes learning about CASE – the College Access and Success Ecosystem – and how you can access and use the guide with your students. We’d also love to hear your suggestions for resources and information that should be added as we continue to upgrade the guide moving forward.

Presenters: Frank Buggey, Philadelphia Youth Network & CASE Co-Chair, On Time High School Graduation Action Team Macy Smith, University of Pennsylvania Upward Bound & CASE Co-Chair, On Time High School Graduation Action Team

Date and Time: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 12:00-12:45 PM

Hosted by PHENND.

Register in advance here.