More Side Gigs for Good during COVID-19 As the pandemic hit, recent grad Alexandria Brake (holding “Go Team” sign) and colleagues at the St. James School in North Philadelphia began distributing groceries and other supplies to students and their families. (Image: Courtesy of Alexandria Brake) More Side Gigs for Good during COVID-19 In the latest installment of the Side Gigs for Good series, Penn Today hears from faculty, staff, and students who have been continuing to care for their communities as the pandemic’s effects stretch on.
Jelani Williams is seizing the moment to protest systemic racism Jelani Williams next to a painting of singer, actor, athlete, and political activist Paul Robeson. (Image: The Pennsylvania Gazette) Jelani Williams is seizing the moment to protest systemic racism Penn basketball guard Jelani Williams has been going to protests, making his voice heard on campus, and promoting messages of “love and respect.”
Philanthropy class provides $55K in grants to local nonprofits amid the pandemic Philanthropy class provides $55K in grants to local nonprofits amid the pandemic As the COVID-19 epidemic began to affect all aspects of daily life in Philadelphia communities, SP2 students saw their lessons collide with the ways local philanthropic funders and nonprofit organizations address unprecedented challenges in real time.
SP2 graduate is now a policy fellow for Philly’s LGBTQ population In 2017, Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs introduced black and brown stripes to the rainbow flag as part of anti-racism initiatives. (Image: Albert Lee) SP2 graduate is now a policy fellow for Philly’s LGBTQ population Sayeeda Rashid, who identifies as a queer South Asian woman, advocates for social justice in the Philadelphia Mayor’s office of LGBTQ Affairs.
PennPraxis Design Fellows take on the real world with design solutions Matt Miller, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of City and Regional Planning, working on an engagement strategy for The Park at Penn’s Landing. (Pre-pandemic image: PennPraxis) PennPraxis Design Fellows take on the real world with design solutions PennPraxis has expanded the scope of experience for graduate students since its founding in 2001, and now 80 Design Fellows are involved in ambitious interdisciplinary design projects.
Virtual cataloging for community school libraries Penn Libraries Outreach partners with the Philadelphia School District, and during the pandemic is remotely cataloging book inventories. (Pre-pandemic image: Penn Libraries News) Virtual cataloging for community school libraries Penn Libraries Outreach is now cataloging library inventory remotely using images from libraries across the Philadelphia School District.
Child abuse is Marci Hamilton’s Goliath Marci Hamilton, Professor of Practice in Political Science. (Image: Jason Varney/OMNIA) Child abuse is Marci Hamilton’s Goliath Marci Hamilton, Fels Institute of Government Professor of Practice, has faced down institutional child abuse for decades—and she is just getting started.
Penn launches no-cost, online summer program for rising high school seniors Penn launches no-cost, online summer program for rising high school seniors PennRSSA has the capacity to reach thousands of School District of Philadelphia students with content meant to boost academic, career, and postsecondary preparation.
8 minutes, 46 seconds 8 minutes, 46 seconds Hundreds of health care workers remembered George Floyd and other victims of police violence at a White Coats for Black Lives event at Franklin Field.
Creating a civics curriculum with Philly students that can be taught online or in person Creating a civics curriculum with Philly students that can be taught online or in person A research course on community engagement had been collaborating with Philadelphia teachers to create a curriculum about the importance of voting. Then the classroom experience moved online.