West Philadelphia Action for Early Learning

A new report from BUILD Initiative explores opportunities to develop and improve a system for ECE quality improvement in Philadelphia, and AFEL has been identified for its successful, equitable ECE quality improvement approaches. Read: Philadelphia Early Learning Community Speaks Out: An Action Plan for Quality Improvement here: http://bit.ly/QIPhLJune21. Thanks to: William Penn Foundation Vanguard Strong Start for Kids

Join us TODAY at 3 PM for Sustainable Self-Care with AFEL! The AFEL Family Navigator Team will provide support and guidance for families wrestling with the demands of a very different school year and the impact of the COVID-19 shut-down. Join us to learn trauma-informed strategies to support you and your children, engage in playful positivity and gain information about community resources. Register through: https://us02web.zoom.us//tZcvc-iurz4tH9CuCSekVOaVb0UJe4wA0... Drexel University Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood People's Emergency Center (PEC)

Drexel University and Erikson Institute’s Technology in Early Childhood (TEC) Center are excited to provide an early childhood technology-focused presentation and professional development workshop. This webinar is designed for Pennsylvania’s early childhood educators. TECHNOLOGY USE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD Tuesday, June 29th at 1:00-2:00pm EST Participants will explore how young children learn from screen-based devices, barriers that make learning from screen-based devices difficu...lt, as well as strategies to effectively mitigate barriers as educators prepare for the new school year. Register here: https://erikson-edu.zoom.us//reg/WN_ClHtWVKpQMKC3X55soDAsg West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood People's Emergency Center (PEC) People's Emergency Center (PEC)

AFEL GRANDPARENT’S COFFEE TALK IS STAYING FRESH (IN PERSON) THIS SUMMER! Action for Early Learning is kicking off Summer 2021 with a very special Grandparent’s Coffee Talk. Come out for fellowship, refreshments, giveaways and early learning resources to start your summer off right! ... Join us on June 16th at the New Church Down The Way (42nd & Odgen St.) from 1 to 3 PM. For more information email [email protected]. Text PECAFEL to 844-961-3547 for AFEL updates. West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood People's Emergency Center (PEC) Drexel University Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships

Today’s the day to participate in our democracy! #Vote, exercise your rights and civil duties for you and for your little ones who can’t

Our director Maria Walker collaborated a couple of days ago with @parkerphilipsinc on why she’s voting. Don’t forget to go out tomorrow to vote if you haven’t already and exercise your civil right and duty!

The West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood has been working with the City of Philadelphia Government to identify and share out resources for free food in West Philadelphia near the heart of the uprising. We have heard from our families that food access is a challenge as stores have been boarded up. Please share this resource, which will be updated regularly, with your personal and professional networks who are working/living in West Philly https://sites.google.com//west-phi...lly-food/food-assistance. Also, if you hear of any additional food or donation sites please share that with the PN and AFEL teams so that we can get it out on social media and to the City. We hope you have a good and safe weekend. The AFEL Team

Why I Vote! by Maria Walker, AFEL Project Director

A Message to our Neighbors: We Hear Your Cry for Justice Yesterday, West Philly resident, 27-year-old, Walter Wallace, Jr. was fatally shot multiple times in front of his mother and neighbors by the Philadelphia police. This tragic murder sparks a collective outrage across our community and within the West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood and Action for Early Learning Teams. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and entire community mourning his loss.... We see the devastation. We hear your cry for justice. We stand with you. We recognize the systemic inequities. We remain committed to supporting justice in the Promise Neighborhood. We feel this is the time to amplify the voices and work of so many wonderful organizations providing resources to help families and children cope in response to this crisis. Racial Justice Organizing Committee Resources: https://www.phillyrj.org//educators-responding-to-nationwi Center for Racial Justice in Education: https://centerracialjustice.org//resources-for-talking-ab/ Finding Mental Health Care: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

Do you know all the ways that play supports learning? Children learn how to explore and experiment, practice social interactions, engage their imaginations and self-regulate through play experiences. Come out and play at 37th and Mt Vernon today! For more on ways to play with young children, check out http://naeyc.org/resources/topics/play/.

The cold days are coming and "Spread the Warmth" is bringing NEW winter coats for your little ones! TOMORROW, Saturday, October 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Philadelphia YMCA Gymnasium!! West Philadelphia YMCA

West Philly Children’s author John Butler reads his Cousin Chase books #readingpromise West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood

Thank U Reading Captains Fab Youth Philly for supporting Read by 4th #readingpromise @Mt Vernon Playground

It was a beautiful day for reading in the neighborhoods! Thanks to all the #westphilly families who came out to celebrate with us.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier joins Literacy Day to read The Meteorologist In Me by Brittney Shipp at 37th & Mt Vernon Playground Brittney Shipp West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood Fab Youth Philly Read by 4th #readingpromise

We know these are tough times and now that everything is online, technology seems to not always be in our favor. Do you need internet access or a computer? Call a digital navigator at (267)217-3508 or email at [email protected]! Excite Center at Drexel University West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood

West Philly’s Promise Neighborhood and AFEL are bringing more books to the block with five new sidewalk libraries. Each will be fully stocked with free children’s books to explore and take home like My Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and local author, John W. Butler III's, Chase Books series. Each story was chosen to reflect the culture of the neighborhood and make sure our children see themselves on every page. While the grand opening is by invitation only, swin...g by the new libraries anytime after Saturday! - 42nd and Ogden - 42nd Street Playground, East Parkside - Mill Creek Playground - 324 Holly Street - 37th and Mt. Vernon Playground This event was organized by West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood, Action for Early Learning and Drexel University. For more information about the festival, check: https://www.readingpromise.org/festival