November Newsletter – Welcome Tri-College, Construction coming to a close, A dream deferred

Issue 42, November 2018
Friends Center Tenant Newsletter

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
In November we welcome two new tenants to our community at Friends Center.

First, the Tri-College Consortium Philly Semester is a pilot program starting in January 2019. It is a joint effort of Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges, the Tri-College Consortium. They have leased office space on the first floor of 1501 Cherry, and will hold classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the MLK Room. We are planning a tenant reception for the students to meet the organizations here. Perhaps some partnerships or projects will emerge! More info.

Second, the ACE Mentor Program of America will soon join us, also on the first floor of 1501 Cherry. They are a national group whose local affiliates match architecture, construction, and engineering (ACE) professionals with students, particularly in public high schools. More info.

We appreciate these additions to our community of organizations working to create a better world.
– Chris Mohr, Executive Director

AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
Our tunnel repair project is wrapping up. Thanks again to everyone for your patience, especially the staff, parents, and children at Friends Child Care Center and other tenants in 1520 Race.

As mentioned in an email, we’re also doing repair to the brick wall on the Race Street side of the 1501 Cherry office building.
• Mural Arts Program has hired a masonry contractor to repair the Race Street wall of the 1501 Cherry office building. It was damaged when their contractor removed their mural.
• Work started in early November and should continue for about 3 weeks, depending on weather.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to keep our facilities well-maintained and weather-tight.

EQUITY PARTNER NEWS

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
WHAT WOULD JUSTICE LOOK LIKE?
MOVING TOWARDS A JUST PEACE IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL

Join the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), the Quaker Palestine Israel Network (QPIN), and Pendle Hill December 14-16, 2018, for a weekend of exploring what it will take to realize a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.

AFSC and Quakers have been engaging in Palestine for over a century and working for peace with justice since 1948. After decades without change, this conference will open up a conversation about what is needed for a just future.

An impressive array of experienced and actively engaged speakers from the area, as well as from the United States, will be there to inform and guide this conversation. To see bios of the speakers, a preliminary schedule of the program, and to register, click here

CENTRAL PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING
Ending Cash Bail in Philadelphia
Last month, CPMM and Power co-hosted a panel discussion on this topic. If you missed it, a second forum takes place Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1 906 S. Rittenhouse Square. Click here for more info.

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING

Friends in Business Fall Dinner
PA Governor Tom Wolf
A Businessman’s Take on State Government – Up Close and Personal

December 5, 2018
Refreshments: 6:00 pm
Talk: 6:30 pm
Dinner: 7:15 pm

New Venue: The Acorn Club
1519 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

$65 per person ($30 for registrants aged 35 & under)
• REGISTER HERE

TENANT NEWS

Green Building United workshop at Friends Center that featured Community Ventures:
https://greenbuildingunited.org/newsroom/2018-demonstration-project-water-petal-review

CAIR Philadelphia hosted an interfaith press conference in response to the mass shootings at the Pittsburgh synagogue and the Kroger in Kentucky, and to call for end to divisive and bigoted remarks from politicians. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting was one of the participants. KYW-AM’s news report is here.
Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE)
Legal Records Expungement Clinic.
When: November 9, 2018 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Drexel University Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Parnerships
3509 Spring Garden St Philadelphia, PA 19104
This clinic is FREE and OPEN to the public and operates on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.
Graciously hosted by the Drexel University’s Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships

Bonus: PLSE got a mention in the recent New York Times Magazine article about Larry Krasner! It’s about halfway through the article.

COMMUNITY ITEMS OUTSIDE FRIENDS CENTER

‘A Dream Deferred’ exhibit wants to inspire visitors to ‘engage the systems that are doing you wrong’
Little Giant Creative’s multimedia exhibit, on display through Nov. 17, uses multimedia to explain redlining’s legacy in Philadelphia. Learn more here.