An opening reception for AIDS Education Month will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Crystal Ballroom of the Radisson Plaza Warwick Hotel, 1701 Locust Street in Philadelphia.

The event features hors d'oeuvres, jazz, great conversation, and the presentation of the annual Kiyoshi Kuromiya awards.  Recipients this year include ACT UP Philadelphia, for 20 years of fighting to end the AIDS epidemic through direct action and Leon King, former Philadelphia Prison Commissioner, for his commitment to the health and safety of all individuals living behind bars.

For more information and to register, visit http://flight.org/aem/register.php.

Philadelphia LawWorks, a community economic development project of Philadelphia VIP that refers small businesses, nonprofits and homeowners to volunteer attorneys, is offering a free legal clinic for nonprofits on Wednesday, June 4th. Trained law students will work with organizations to apply for free legal assistance. Participating organizations may be eligible for referral to a volunteer attorney for free legal help.

The clinic will be held from 6-8pm at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Room 108, 1901 Vine Street.  Registration by Friday, May 30th is required.  E-mail mcostello@phillyvip.org or call 215-523-9562.

Faith community leaders in Southeastern Pennsylvania will have the opportunity to take the next step in their preparedness journeys next month, thanks to a collaborative training effort.

The American Red Cross, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management and Southeastern Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (SEPA VOAD) are joining forces with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare to offer two free Psychological First Aid trainings.

This course will teach members of faith communities how to provide basic care, comfort, and support to people who are experiencing disaster-related stress, discuss the implications of pandemic influenza and other disasters, and provide strategies to help prepare and respond
to these emergencies.

Leaders of faith organizations located in Philadelphia are invited to Psychological First Aid Training for the Faith-Based Community on Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. American Red Cross CEO Tom Foley and Philadelphia Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison will open the trainings. The training will be held at the American Red Cross on 23rd and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Leaders of faith-based organizations located in Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties are invited to Psychological First Aid Training for the Faith-Based Community on Thursday, June 12, 2008 from 9am to 3:30pm. The training will be held at Temple University- Fort Washington, 401 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, PA  19034.

To attend one of these trainings, please email Tania Clinger at clingerta@redcross-philly.org or call
215-299-0143.

Join us at our efforts to bring unity in our community.

The fighting, violence and disrespect must end now!
Keynote Speakers:
-Umar R. Abdullah-Johnson, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Kinsman to Frederick Douglass
-SEPTA (Rebuilding Relationships in the Community)
-South West Community Leaders
-Bartram High School Principal
-George W. Pepper Middle School Principal
-Philadelphia Prison System (CJO)
-Philadelphia Police Department
-The Honorable Sylvester Johnson
-William Penn School District

ACCOUNTABILITY + RESPONSIBILITY + MORAL SUPPORT - BLAME = SOLUTION!

Together, Lets Stop Our Kids From Fighting Each Other!

For more information, contact:
Paythia of Project Build Up (Host) @ 215.685.2698,
Vincent Ngadi of AFRICOM @ 215.939.0748,
or the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania (LAP) @ 610.416.7540

Capturing Experience is a new multi-media course offered by the Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning that will help local nonprofits harness the talent, energy and expertise of people 50+.

   By taking the online course, participants will learn about who today's people 50+ are and what they want; ways to develop compelling opportunities that are appealing to diverse groups of people 50+; strategies for marketing to and recruiting the growing 50+ population; and ideas forplacing, supporting and retaining people 50+ in your organization.

   The free online course can be found http://cil.templecil.org/

   The development of Capturing Experience was made possible through a generous grant from the Verizon Foundation. Additional funding was provided by the HRC Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

   Temple’s Center for Intergenerational Learning is the founding sponsor of Coming of Age, Greater Philadelphia’s initiative to promote 50+ civic engagement, lifelong learning and community leadership.

NBC10 will present A More Senior-Friendly Philadelphia, in collaboration with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, on Thursday, June 5th from 7-8pm.

   The live broadcast and panel discussion will focus on what's needed to make Philadelphia a safer and supportive place for seniors to live.  Topics include safety, transportation, accessible and affordable housing, services and resources for seniors, and how to create neighborhood connections.

   Participants will include, in addition to PCA, representatives from the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation, Philadelphia Block Captains, the Rhawnhurst NORC, SEPTA, Center in the Park, Juniata Older Adult Center, and Second Antioch Church.

Children's Service, Inc. West Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholder Department of Human Services presents:
Our 5th Annual Safe Night, Commmunity Resource Fair & Family Fun Festival on Friday, June 6th, 2008.

Come out and enjoy:
Resources, Fun, Entertainment, Guest Speakers, Moon Bounce, Clowns, Dancing, Drill Team, Giveaways, Raffles, and Food...

For more information, contact Marquita Muse/EPIC Coordinator (215) 748-2997 or (215) 327-0361

Equal Partners in Change, One Voice, One Community

Presented by United Way of Southeastern Pennslyvania,
Special Features
-National Speakers
-Resources and Information
-Special Round Table: The Fight for Equality

Keynote Speakers
-Jeffrey M. Leging, Esq., Author of Father's Rights
- Fatherhood Award Recipient, Brian Dawkins (Philadelphia Eagles)

Attendees and exhibitors register at: www.2008festival.eventbrite.com
For more information, visit www.fatherfest.com

The M.A.N. (Mentor Advocate Networker) Campaign is a social service marketing campaign for the recruitment of mentors in Philadelphia. The creation of the campaign was a response to the need to decrease the rate of imprisonment, truancy, and senseless violence amongst African American males under twenty-five years of age in Philadelphia.

   Originally a six-month effort, The M.A.N. Campaign which began in July 2007 was extended until Spring 2008. The campaign comes to an end with two concurrent events: The MISsed Education Poetry Slam for truant teens and a M.A.N. Mentorship Drive for male mentors.

   On Saturday, June 7, 2008, The M.A.N. Campaign in conjunction with the Department of Human Services Office of Truancy and Delinquency Prevention will host an event for the truant young men to hear stories from professional men that have beaten the odds. The MISsed Education Poetry Slam will take place at the Philadelphia Daily News Building from noon to 3pm. 

   The headliner poet for the The MISsed Education Poetry Slam is Philadelphia-born, Tony Award Winner, HBO Def Jam Poet Black Ice. Additional speakers include author and columnist Solomon Jones along with author Mister Mann Frisby and FOX 29 Sports Reporter Bill Vargus. Youth from The Enterprise Center's Project Great Potential will also share stories about how they are overcoming the odds by focusing on entrepreneurship.

   For more information, visit www.themancampaign.org

   In addition to the poetry event for male youth, The M.A.N. Campaign will hold its final mentorship drive for men at the 2008 Fatherhood Festival. The festival is taking place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from 9am to 4pm. Men interested in signing up to become mentors can stop by The M.A.N. Campaign table.
 

Jayhawks Youth Association presents A Day in the Park Family Celebration...

-Charity Basketball Tournament
-Youth Conference
-Kick-off for Turn in your Gun Campaign
-Rapid HIV Testing
-Red Cross Blood Drive for Sickle Cell

For more information contact: Constance Harris Crews at (215) 939-6283

Fun, food, games, giveaways, prizes, entertainment and more...

The Philadelphia Public School Notebook is an independent education newspaper and a voice for quality and equality in Philadelphias public schools.

On June 9th, the Notebook will hold the fifth annual Turning the Page for Change party to celebrate the hard work of many activists and educators to bring meaningful school change.

The event will take place from 4:30-7pm at University of the Arts, Dorrance Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.

Tickets are $50 for individuals, $250 for hosts. There is a special rate of $20 for students/youth under 25 and group discounts available for parent and student organizations. For sponsorship, information, volunteering or ticket sales, call 215-951-0330 x2160.

The Community Education Alliance of West Philadelphia, operators of Mantua’s Belmont Charter Middle School, will sponsor Beginnings, a photo show and video screening of work produced by the students through a partnership between the schools Belmont Enrichment and Study Time (BEST) program and the Positive Minds Digital Media Club at the University of the Arts.

   The event will take place on Monday, June 9th at 4:30pm at the CEAWP offices at 1630 Locust Street in Philadelphia.

   Positive Minds started as a dream between a group of University of the Arts students and has recently flourished into a full-fledged multimedia educational program. The middle school students of Belmont Charter who participated in Positive Minds have created an impressive body of work that addresses issues of social justice and positive community change.

   For more information, call Emily Hirshorn at 215-279-0156.

Hosted by Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell and Friends of Malcolm X Memorial Park presents its 9th Annual West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series at Malcolm X Park.

2008 Summer Line-up:
May 29th - The Glen Bryan Group
June 12th - Vocalist Ms. Ella Gahnt
June 26th - The Brent White Band
July 10th - The Young Talents Group and the Justin Faulkner Band
July 24th - Vocalist Ms. Denise King
August 7th - Vocalist Ms. Shirley Lites
August 21st - Vocalist Ms. Barbara Walker (The Barbara Walker Story)
September 4th - Guitarist and Vocalist Ms. Monnette Sudler
September 18th - The Nate Murray Band

This series is sponsored by Citizens Bank, the City of Philadelphia, Laborers' International Union Local #332, Fraternal Order of Police, Mr. Marc H. Perry Post & Schell Attorneys at Law.

Contributions: Garden Court Community Association (GCCA), Central City Toyota, Neighborhood Restorations, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local #1050.

Political analyst James Carville will be the guest speaker at the SeniorLAW Center's 30th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, June 12 at The Ballroom at the Ben, 834 Chestnut St.  in Philadelphia.

   Founded in 1978, SeniorLAW Center (formerly Judicare) provides free legal services, community education and advocacy for more than 10,000 senior citizens in Pennsylvania each year. Special sponsorship opportunities, including the exclusive SeniorCircle reception with Carville, are available.

Sponsorship and ticket information is available www.seniorlawcenter.org or contact Larry Felzer at 215-701-3203.

Hosted by the South Philadelphia Epic Stakeholders & Pennsylvania Injury Reporting Intervention System - PIRIS Program, Funded by the Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia.

Recently, a youth between the age of 15-24 was shot in our community. Come out, let us talk and plan to make our neighborhood a safe one again, for our youth and our seniors.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Elisha B. Morris, PIRIS Coordinator (215) 940-0550, ext. 549
Mr. Kenyatta Bey, PIRIS Outreach Worker, (215) 940-0550, ext. 515

Myrikal will be recorded during her performance this evening at the Trocadero Night Club. The Showcase will air in July, 2008 On Demand, under get Local-Battle of Bands. Her recording time is scheduled between 7 - 8:00pm. There is a $5 cover charge at the door

The 2008 Philadelphia Unemployment Project JazzFest will feature the Tony Smith Quartet with vocalist Michelle Beckam on Friday, June 13th from 6-10pm at the Hospital Workers Union Hall, 1319 Locust Street in Philadelphia.

The event will honor long-time community activist Lance Haver, currently the Consumer Advocate for the City of Philadelphia.

The event includes an all-you-can-eat home-cooked soul food buffet.  Tickets are $25 for PUP members and $50 for others.

For more information call 215-557-0822

The Father's Day Rally Committee, Inc. presents...

Friday, June 13th
Fatherhood Reception
The View
800 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
6 - 8:00pm
Tickets call (215) 236-3372

Sunday, June 15th
19th Annual Father's Day Picnic
Belmont Grove
Belmont Mansion Drive & Chamounix Drive
12:00 - 6:00pm

Honorary Chair of 2008 Father's Day Celebration, Dr. William "Bill" Cosby
For more information, call (215) 236-3372

Don't miss this great event!

10 Workshops:
-Gangs 101
-Street Smarts
-Identity Theft
-Crime Scene (CSI)
-Promoting Youth Programs
-Preventing Violence: Home, School & Community
-Youth Safety: What Families & Youth Need to Know About Changes in the Laws
-Parenting Difficult Teens
-Emergency System 911
-Guns, Crime & Probation

We Have Several Youth-Workshop Events This Year - Please Remember to Bring Them Along

Together We Improve Safety, Together We Improve Safety, Together We Improve Safety

For more information contact Town Watch Integrated Services at (215) 686-1459

The Urban League of Philadelphia will present Citigroup's Financial Connections, a series of workshops on personal finance management, on Saturday June 14th, 21st and 28th.  No matter what your financial situation may be, your questions will be answered in a friendly, comfortable environment.  Refreshments will be provided and savings bonds will be awarded for 100% attendance.

Sessions will be held from 9am-1pm at First African Baptist Church, 1608 Christian St, Philadelphia. 

Registrations are required by June 3rd, include your name, address, phone number and dates of attendance by calling 215-735-1050. 

Real Men Cook® for Charity, the nation's premier urban Father's Day charity event, is celebrating its 19th anniversary in 2008.  Philadelphia has been one of 10 cities since 2000. The 2008 event will be held from 3-6 PM on Sunday, June 15 at the First District Plaza, located at 3801 Market Street in Philadelphia.

   Every year, this "party with a purpose" is a fun filled food tasting celebration of families, fathers and real men not to be missed.  Between the food, entertainment, children's activities, cooking demos, health screenings and door prizes, this event has something to offer everyone.

   The local Real Men Cook Organizing Committee, in cooperation with event sponsors The Home Depot, Radio One-Philadelphia (WRNB-FM, 100.3 The Beat and Praise 103.9), NBC10,  The Philadelphia Tribune, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Lincoln University and Philly Coke, is now seeking men from Philly and the entire Delaware Valley to participate in this year's event.   They are in the search for men who have a favorite dish they like to cook, or  anyone wants to be a volunteer

   The next  recruitment info reception will be hosted by Palmer Theological Seminary, 6 E. Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, PA on May 14th at 6:30pm.  For more information, call Bruce Rush at 215-913-2212.

Evaluation & Outcomes Contact: Howard Lucas (215) 851-1816

Real Pirates: The untold story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship.

Experience the world's first exhibit of REAL pirate treasure in our brand new exhibit!

PLUS:
-See our NEW Planetarium show Navigation: From Pirate Ships to Spaceships at 5pm and 6:30pm and Cosmic Collisions at 5:45pm and 7:15pm!
-Watch our BRAND NEW Live show "A Pirate's Life for ME" at 6pm and 7pm in Musser Theatre
-Make your OWN Pirate Hat from 5pm to 8pm! (While supplies last)
-Free IMAX tickets! Take an underwater journey through the oceans of South Africa in our brand new IMAX film Wild Ocean at 6pm.
-FREE 3D Movies! See 3D Sun at 6pm and 7pm and Bugs! at 6:30pm and 7:30pm

And...Special Event:
The Brain Injury Awareness Association will be here once again giving away FREE bike helmets for adults and children while supplies last!

Mark you calendars NOW!
July 30th - Race Car Day
September 17th - African American Heart Health
October 15th - Halloween Spooktacular!
December 17th - Winter Wonderland Featuring The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition!

AND

If you attend 4 Community Nights, you will win a FREE Membership for a year at The Franklin. (You have to register to qualify)
Please Note - Registration will take place in Jordan Lobby on the Second Floor. Please enter The Franklin through the Business Entrance on 20th Street.

Evaluation & Outcomes Contact: Howard Lucas (215) 581-1816

The Philadelphia/Camden Informal Science Education Collaborative (PISEC), which includes the Academy of Natural Sciences, the New Jersey Academy of Aquatic Sciences, the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Zoo, will host the Bridges Conference June 20th-22nd at the Franklin Institute. The conference will explore how museums and other learning institutions and community organizations (CBOs) can work together towards a shared vision of engaging underserved families in science enrichment activities.

   BRIDGES will bring together museum and community pairs from 25 partnerships to explore best practices for developing and sustaining innovative programs.  Interested partner organizations can fill out an online application at http://www.fi.edu/BRIDGES/.

Lecture and book signing by Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author, Michael Cottman ("The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie: An African-American's Spiritual Journey to Uncover a Sunken Slave Ship's Past")

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael Cottman uncovers the complex and moving story of a 17th century slave ship, the Henrietta Marie, by retracting its voyage from Europe to Africa and on the Caribbean. Whether interviewing Presidential Democratic Nominee, Barack Obama, or being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, Cottman is a prominent voice in politics, race, and African-American history. As part of The Franklin's "Out of Africa Lecture Series" and connected to our latest traveling exhibition, Real Pirates, please join us for a fascinating journey into the history of a sunken slave ship.

FREE with registration - (215) 448-1254

Foster Memorial Baptist Church Youth Ministry in conjunction with the Women Ministry of Foster Memorial Baptist Church and in association with the Mayors Office of Faith Based Initiatives is in the process of planning a Community Awareness Day on Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 12pm -6pm in the 2400 Block of 18th Street. These two ministries believe that their mission and responsibility is to use all available resources to help change and educate the youth and support families in the immediate and surrounding North Philadelphia community. In order to be aligned with the needs of the community, a survey/questionnaire was done in the immediate and surrounding community. The results of the survey confirmed the mission and responsibility of these two ministries.

Our objective is for this Community Awareness Day to provide the community with information on city services such as the Police, Fire and Water Departments, City Council and the Mayor’s Office. Information on health issues such as, mammograms, HIV and AIDS testing and blood pressure screening are some of the issues we want to address. We would like to include information on employment, career management (resume development), substance abuse counseling, senior citizen assistance, teenage pregnancy counseling, teenage parenting and continuing education services. In addition, there will be children activities, music and entertainment. Our theme is "Knowledge a Vehicle for Change".

For more information contact Minister Michael Burger at mike.burger@deestravel.com or call
215-760-1456.

WHEN: Saturday, June 21st

WHERE: Christy Recreation Center Baseball Field, 55th & Christian Streets

WHAT: Music, Food, Community, Information & Empowerment

Hosted by the Life Skills Program of the Christy Recreation Center
For more information or to collaborate with the Rally please contact Ms. Sylvia Nixon at (215) 685-1999

This summer Stop the Madness-Stop the Violence Inc., a non-profit organization which strives to teach alternatives to negative behavior and violence wil sponsor a "Youth Summer Basketball League" that will have two divisions: 11 - 13 years of age & 14 - 16 years of age. League play will begin on June 24, 2008.

An afternoon community event will take place at the Tustin Recreation Center between 4 - 8:30 pm in celebration of the league and community involvement. We are asking for community and grass-root organizations to celebrate with us on June 21 in a variety of activities which include (2) exhibition basketball games, community information tables, poetry, spoken word and live entertainment.

For more information, contact Abduh al-Maliki (President) at 267.262.1615.

Hosted by the Pennsylvania Injury Reporting Intervention System - PIRIS Program, Funded by the Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia

Recently, a youth between the age of 15-24 was shot in our community. Come out, let us talk and plan to make our neighborhood a safe one again, for our youth and our seniors.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Elisha B. Morris, PIRIS Coordinator (215) 940-0550, ext. 549
Mr. Kenyatta Bey, PIRIS Outreach Worker, (215) 940-0550, ext. 515

United Way will launch its national Live United campaign with a National Day of Action next Saturday, June 21st.

In our region, the theme of the National Day of Action will be to help Stuff the Bus!, an annual effort by United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania to pack buses with school supplies for children in homeless shelters and distribute them to over 1500 kids throughout the Delaware Valley.

Help spread the word about United Way’s Stuff the Bus program and make a difference in the lives homeless children in our region. United Way needs volunteers to participate in the first United Way National Day of Action from 9am – 1pm.

Volunteers will meet at the United Way building and then we’ll take it to the streets and distribute information on how to donate to Stuff the Bus throughout Historic Philadelphia.
Bring your friends!  Bring your family!  Bring your dog!

If you or anyone you know is interested in participating email erosenberg@uwsepa.org or call 215-665-2509.

Philadelphia’s Mill Creek Playground Staff and Advisory Council, in collaboration with Mill Creek Community Partnership, Blackwell Home Owners Association, Men of Mill Creek, The Church Down The Way and We Never Say Never will hold its 3rd Annual Mill Creek Community Day, themed: “A Day of Celebration” on Saturday, June 21st from noon to 6pm.

The event is planned so that the community can come together and celebrate its children, its history and its families. Mill Creek is a diverse community new and old that has come together for one goal and one aim: to build a strong community.

Mill Creek residents intend the event to set a tone for this summer: free from crime, guns and violence & filled with empowerment, information and activities. The affair will feature a mini-parade to kick off the day, speakers, entertainment, youth competitions, mini seminars on health and education, youth groups, poets, resource tables, activity/registration tables, flea market area, free food and a choice of vendors.
Call 267-288-3255 or 215-685-0260 for more information.

Lunch meeting focuses on drop-out prevention strategies...

The Project U-Turn school-dropout prevention initiative will sponsor Working Together to Decrease the Drop-Out Rate on Thursday, June 26th. 

The lunch discussion will address how systems and agencies can work with schools to improve outcomes for youth whose life situations dramatically increase their likelihood of dropping out of school, including pregnant & parenting teens, adjudicated youth, chronic truants and youth in foster care.  

Panelists will include Gail Edelson, Associate Medical Director for Children’s Services, Dept. of Behavioral Health & Mental Retardation Services; Joseph Kuna, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Children & Youth Division, City of Philadelphia; Greg Patton, Family Support Coordinator, School District of Philadelphia; James Sharpe, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, City of Philadelphia; Lori Shorr, Chief Education Officer, City Of Philadelphia; Communities In School- Elect program for pregnant & parenting teens as well as other School District representatives.

The discussion will take place from 12:30-2:30pm at United Way, 17th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  Lunch will be provided and an RSVP is required.  Reply by Wednesday, June 25th at 10am to or call 215-563-5848, ext. 12.