Tenant News, 4/2024: Positive Feedback, New Mural, Happy 400th B’day Geo. Fox

FROM THE DIRECTOR

This week I received an email from a staff person at an organization that had an event here recently. They complimented the Friends Center staff for their care and support over multiple days. I wrote back to thank them for their kind words, and for taking time to give positive feedback. I promptly shared the note with our staff, who deserved the credit for a good experience far more than me.

What’s great is that this is not uncommon! I often get positive feedback for our staff and contractors who work here every day to care for our unique facility. So I want to take this opportunity to give positive feedback:

To Carla, Ed, Erick, Freeman, Ray, Shakirah, Takirah, and Teneshia from the Friends Center staff—

To Aida, Fajon, Kevin, Leilani, and Taleah from Team Clean—

And to John from Emcor Fluidics—

Thank you all so much for everything you do to support the facility, as well as the organizations and individuals who use our space.  You enable the Friends Center to live into its mission and values!

—Chris Mohr, Executive Director

AROUND FRIENDS CENTER

New Walkie Talkies to be Deployed throughout the Facility Soon

Friends Center has purchased new walkie talkies to go throughout the facility. We use them to communicate during emergency evacuations, shelter-in-place situations, and other events where timely communication is of the essence.

Erick Emerick is in the process of programming and deploying the new radios. Once they are in place, tested, and fully in operation, we will refresh everyone about our emergency protocols and procedures. We will also return to having periodic trainings for new staff or those who’d like a refresher, which we used to do before the pandemic.

New mural outside Friends Child Care Center!
Created by art students at Friends Select School

In partnership with the children of Friends Child Care Center, high school art students at Friends Select School have created a colorful, vibrant on the wall of the Lower Level. Join FSS and FCCC in the Lower Level hallway for a Community Celebration, April 27, 4:30 – 6:00 pm!

EQUITY PARTNERS

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE (AFSC)
AFSC Corporation met at Friends Center April 11-13

AFSC was delighted to host Jose Antonio Vargas as their keynote speaker for the 2024 Corporation Program on April 11. Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, Tony-nominated theatrical producer, and a leading voice for the human rights of immigrants. He is the founder of Define American, an organization that empowers diverse and nuanced storytelling about immigrant experiences across a variety of different media. In 2020, Fortune named him one of its “40 under 40” most influential people in government and politics. After his keynote address, Vargas will be available to sign copies of his bestselling memoir, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen.

» Read more: https://afsc.org/events/conversation-jose-antonio-vargas

CENTRAL PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING (CPMM)
Friends to Share Their Vision for the Meeting
Sunday, 4/21, 1:00 pm

Join us for a time of sharing. Whether it is your 1st day or your 40th year with Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, we would love to hear from you. In small groups we will spend time with following queries (among others):

  • What personal, social, and/or spiritual needs would you like to have met as a part of our community?
  • What future programs about Quaker activism, Quaker history and beliefs, and/or Quaker spirituality would you like to see offered?

Each small group will have a facilitator to create a safe space and record responses.  You can also join by Zoom using the regular worship link.

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

New Roadmap for Addressing Climate Change

As a LEED Platinum green building, Friends Center strives to be as sustainable as possible. Now, a tool is available for all Friends and meetings—and everyone—seeking to live out our yearly meeting-wide commitment to address climate change. The booklet Creating a Playbook for Climate Action helps Friends develop personalized plans for how to address climate change—in their meetings and in their homes.  Because frankly, great intentions sometimes need a path forward to arrive at the destination.

» Read more: https://www.pym.org/creating-a-roadmap-for-addressing-climate-change/

TENANTS

PHILADELPHIA YOUTH SPORTS COLLABORATIVE (PYSC)

Announcing The Philly Youth Sports Fund

PYSC has launched a new fund to support small, community-based organizations providing sport, play, and movement programs to our city’s youth. The fund aims to increase accessibility to and improve the quality of existing programs, particularly those offering introductory or “entry-level” recreational components. The goal is to ensure that more young people can participate in localized, instructional sports opportunities. The Philly Youth Sports Fund released a call for proposals on April 1, 2024. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support program-related needs. The deadline for applications is May 15, 2024, and grants will be awarded by June 30, 2024.

» More info: https://phillyyouthsportsfund.org  

SINGING CITY

Singing for Climate & Social Justice
Sunday, May 5, 3:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 23 S. 38th Street, Philadelphia, PA

Featuring Rollo Dilworth’s Credo and Chickasaw classical composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s Oka’ Aya’sha’ (The Water Place). Legendary jazz vocalist and composer Ruth Naomi Floyd and jazz trio will present selections from The Frances Suite, based on the life and poetry of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Special guests include singers from Commonwealth Youth Choirs.

» Get tickets here.

WIDER QUAKER COMMUNITY

HISTORIC ARCH STREET MEETING HOUSE

400th Birthday Party for George Fox, Co-Founder of Quakerism

George Fox was a co-founder of the Quaker faith, and our sibling Quaker Meetinghouse at 4th and Arch Streets  is having a birthday party to celebrate!

Come explore Quaker history and who Quakers are today with stories, discussion, games and crafts. Food and fun for all, and a birthday cake.

» Details here.

More about George Fox: