September 2024 Tenant Newsletter
From the Director
Changing the World Requires Risk—While Staying Safe
The nonprofit organizations with space here at Friends Center are fairly risk-tolerant. You’re working to change the world for the better—and that’s often challenging, to say the least!
For me, one of the best parts about working here is that getting to meet all of you who are doing this work. The Friends Center community is something special.
That said, we do live in the real world, and unfortunate things sometimes happen here, too. We all have a role in stewarding our community.
As part of our commitment to providing a safe environment for all who work, worship, and visit here, I offer these building security tips:
- Do introduce yourself to your neighbors, so you know who belongs on your floor. It builds community as well as safety!
- Don’t leave office suite doors unlocked.
- Don’t open office suite doors for people without a fob if you don’t recognize them.
- Don’t allow people you don’t know to “draft” in to your office suite behind you.
- Do redirect unfamiliar people to the front desk. While it can feel unfriendly at the time, it’s for the well-being of our community.
Thank you for your help!
Around Friends Center
Emergency Preparedness: Be ready!
Friends Center’s Erick Emerick recently circulated guidelines on what to do in case of an emergency in the facility. These guidelines are now posted on our website.
You can find this and other policies in the online Tenant Handbook.
Please refresh yourself and your colleagues on this information from time to time!
You can also attend an emergency preparedness trainings on the following dates, in the Rufus Jones Room by the front door:
- 2025 January 7, 10:30 am
- 2025 March 13, 10:30 am
- 2025 June 12, 10:30 am
- 2025 September 10, 10:30 am
Equity Partner News
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Fostering a New Generation of Social Justice Leaders
For the past three years, AFSC’s Emerging Leaders for Liberation (ELL) program has helped young people strengthen their social justice and leadership skills. The program brings together Quaker youth alongside other young people involved with AFSC’s programs across the United States. Over eight months, they take part in trainings on organizing, advocacy, and nonviolent direct action, learning directly from AFSC’s experienced organizers and program staff. Each participant applies what they’ve learned by creating an action project in their community.
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting (CPMM)
Philly Premiere of “Citizen George”
On September 19, CPMM hosted the Philadelphia premiere of “Citizen George,” a documentary about their member George Lakey (third from right in the photo with the film committee). George, now in his 80s, has been a lifelong activist and trainer for civil rights, nonviolent movements, and most recently, the environment, as co-founder of Earth Quaker Action Team. Learn more and watch the trailer: https://www.georgelakeyfilm.com/
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM)
Quaker Call to Action
On September 22, PYM hosted a gathering of the Quaker Call to Action. The group’s call is for a national dialogue on urgent threats to U.S. democracy and what’s at stake. The event was a family-friendly, interfaith service focused on Pennsylvania and be both inspirational as well as practical. It brought together interfaith leaders to inspire and confirm the faith basis for individual actions in the weeks prior to Election Day on November 5, 2024. Learn more.
Tenant News
Gender Justice Fund
GJF receives Robin Hood Was Right Award
Several Gender Justice Fund (GJF) board members joined executive director Farrah Parkes onstage at Bread & Roses Community Fund’s annual Tribute to Change celebration to accept the Robin Hood Was Right award, which is given to an individual or group making an outstanding contribution to social change philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. Congratulations to everyone at GJF!
Singing City
Democracy in Song: A Choral Conversation
Sun., Oct. 27, 2024, 3 pm
Race Street Meetinghouse @ Friends Center
Singing City recently launched its 77th season as an artistically drive, socially conscious, and civically engage choir. Their first full-length concert of the season will be here!
This presentation will generate call and response vocals between the chorus and the audience as we highlight various social movements in American history, including abolitionism/emancipation, women’s suffrage, civil rights, and peace in times of unrest.
Learn more and reserve your tickets.
CAIR Philadelphia
Former executive director Jacob Bender released this letter on his retirement. It’s really worth reading!
CAIR is also offering “Know Your Rights” seminars throughout the region.
Physicians for Social Responsibility PA
PSR-PA released a video featuring four Philadelphia schoolchildren calling on adults to mobilize civic power to transition our municipally-owned gas utility PGW away from gas and toward renewable energy. Watch it on YouTube here!
Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC)
PYSC recently released the list of Philadelphia Youth Sport Funds recipients. Congratulations to all the grantees!
On September 28, Philly Girls Got Game is a one-day clinic open to girls in grades 2 – 8, to learn and grow their basketball skills. The clinic will be led by the women of the Big 5 Basketball teams.
Learn more and register.
Outside Friends Center
Opera Philadelphia: Pick your price
All seats for the 2024–2025 season are available for $11, or a higher price of your choosing, as part of a new ticket program called Pick Your Price. Opera Philadelphia is excited to welcome you to the opera with open arms and invite you to bring your friends and family. By choosing a ticket price that fits your budget, you can experience world-class opera and help grow our vibrant arts community in a way that works for you. Any amount over $11 helps support this program and allows more people to attend the opera.