Community News

On Wednesday, September 9, Southwest CDC representatives Donna Henry and Lorraine Thomas, joined AHCOPA, Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Finanta, Media Fellowship House and Ceiba Philadelphia for a Woodland Avnue tour and community development discussion with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon on Woodland Avenue. The meeting was held at Le Mandique restaurant and focused on issues affecting local residents and businesses, including small-business

Do you live in Overbrook Park, Carrol Park, Haddington, Cobbs Creek, Kingsessing, Paschall, or Elmwood Park? Apply to be a Community Greening Liaison! Help shape the future of the Cobbs Creek Park and surrounding watershed. Residents and local organizations will help define the vision, identify sites, and set priorities, rather than receiving a fully baked plan from outside experts. To ensure that the process of creating this plan is community-led and reflects neighbors' vis

Cobbs Creek Trail Extension to Glenmore Ave Complete "Trick or Treat Trails" and Harvest Fest October 24th Upcoming events in Cobbs Creek Watershed: October Calendar Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt

Little Nature Playgrounds in Cobbs Creek Update Swing Bridge Coming to Bartrams Upcoming event: September Calendar Kids Corner: I Spy Nature

Pacifico Ford transformed into a hub of community celebration on July 13th, as the dealership partnered with Ford and Major League Baseball (MLB) for an unforgettable block party. Designed to honor America 250 and the All-Star Game, the event drew children from summer camps in the neighborhood, eager to partake in a day filled with fun and camaraderie. The festivities featured an array of carnival-style games, where the children tried their luck at winning prizes.. A variety

Lottie (nee Washington) Bazemore, a devoted community activist, longtime Democratic Committee Person, and cherished Southwest Philadelphia matriarch, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 26, 2026. She was 95 years old. For more than 51 years, Mrs. Bazemore faithfully served as Democratic Committee Person for Philadelphia's 51st Ward, 18th Division. Throughout her decades of service, she worked alongside many distinguished Philadelphia leaders, including Ward Leader

Three new Little Nature Playgrounds are planned for Cobbs Creek Park. Designed with input from local residents, these welcoming spaces will encourage children and families to explore the park, learn about its history and ecology, and safely access the trail from nearby neighborhoods. Each playground will feature a combination of nature-inspired elements, colorful asphalt art, and wayfinding maps that help connect visitors to Cobbs Creek Park. Clean Air Council is partnering w

Cobbs Creek Community Science Stewardship Group Community Spotlight: Cobbs Creek Ambassadors August Cobbs Creek Watershed Calendar of Event Philly Trails Photo Contest for Youth

In a significant step towards addressing the critical need for affordable housing, the Southwest Community Development Corporation (CDC) has partnered with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) to rehabilitate five houses in Southwest Philadelphia. The latest house completed is now available for sale to low- and moderate-income families, offering a much-needed opportunity for homeownership in the community. The latest property to hit the market is located on S. Shields St

The Philadelphia Housing Authority has achieved a significant milestone with the approval to begin the demolition of Bartram Village, following an emergency declaration of public safety by Mayor Charelle Parker. Demolition is expected to start in early July 2026. Bartram Village, which consists of 44 buildings dating back to the 1940s, occupies a 22-acre site that will be redeveloped into 514 units of public housing, as part of a $425 million project. Gilbane Building Company

Neighborhood Air Quality Essentials // The Circuit Trails are Essential to the Region: Help Us Prove It // Check the organizations social media or website for any current event updates or email mmyers@cleanair.org Upcoming Events: July Calendar

By Zahra Hameed On June 5, applause filled the intersection of 60th Street and Woodland Avenue as residents, business owners, elected officials, and community leaders gathered for a historic moment: the unveiling of the new Africatown sign, officially recognizing Southwest Philadelphia as a vibrant center of African and Caribbean culture. This ceremony marked more than just the installation of a sign; it celebrated decades of history, entrepreneurship, immigration, resilience

Following an EPA grant award received by the School District of Philadelphia for electric buses, two schools—Robert E. Lamberton and Avery D. Harrington, were selected for mural projects to highlight the positive environmental impact of the buses. Each project involves the creation of two murals and an educational campaign centered around the themes of school bus electrification, environmental justice, and community health. The overarching goal is to foster understanding and

That large, iconically bright yellow ring-like structure you might have spotted heading up the Schuylkill River isn’t a mirage—it’s FloatLab, a one-of-a-kind floating public space and waterfront destination, designed by J. Meejin Yoon and Höweler + Yoon Architecture with Bartram's Garden and Mural Arts Philadelphia. Starting this fall, visitors to the Garden and the Bartram’s Mile section of the Schuylkill River Trail will enjoy a rare, water-level view of an urban river in m

What Dr. Minnie Moore-Johnson gave to Philadelphia cannot be measured in awards, titles, or recognition. It can only be measured in the people she fed, the families she carried through hard times, the young leaders she mentored, and the communities she refused to give up on. For decades, “Ms. Minnie,” as the city lovingly knew her, stood as a pillar of hope across Philadelphia. Whether she was helping the homeless find support, guiding ex-offenders toward a second chance, adv

July 25, 2025/Globe Times Staff Families and neighbors have something new to celebrate, Connell Park is officially open again following a major renovation project that brought half a million dollars in improvements to the beloved community space. The upgrades include brand‑new play equipment, updated swings, and state‑of‑the‑art safety surfaces designed to make the park more fun and secure for children of all ages. In addition to the new play features, the renovation focused

August 5, 2025/Globe Times Staff 58th & Chester The Common Place provides fresh produce, pantry staples, and essential food items. When available, they also distribute toiletries and clothing to those in need. Some of the fresh produce comes from their own gardens. Shepherds Food Pantry Thursday’s 10am-12pm 8398 Lindberg Ave. Philadelphia PA Free food is handed out. Come and get the finest meats, fruits, and vegetables. There is even clothing given away and toys for tots dur

October 10, 2025/Anthony Singleton By: Sydney Lam and Michael Jin The Pre-Veterinary Apprenticeship Program is a collaborative initiative between Educators 4 Education (E4E) and the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA). In the summer of 2024, E4E proposed a partnership with PSPCA to launch a paid workforce development program aimed at exposing Philadelphia youth to careers in veterinary medicine. Designed for teens ages 14 to 18, this progra

October 10, 2025/Globe Times Staff The Philadelphia Foundation, a publicly supported community foundation that has served Philadelphia and its surrounding counties for over a century, is continuing its legacy of supporting community needs with the return of YOUTHadelphia. YOUTHadelphia is a youth-in-philanthropy program where public high school students identify potential non-profit recipients of funding, put them through a rigorous application process, and ultimately end up

November 10, 2025/Globe Times Staff As the city of Philadelphia continues to grapple with the devastating impact of gun violence, young people, who are the main victims, need innovative and community-centered interventions that offer them alternative paths. Since January 2025, the city has recorded 7,643 incidents, including 141 homicides (Philadelphia Police Department). For the past six years, the Coalition of African Communities (AFRICOM) has provided community-driven acti