ACHIEVEability October Newsletter

In this Issue

A Letter From Jamila

Taking care of ourselves and our loved ones during the holiday season!

Partner Spotlight

Pacifico Auto Group and PECO

Program Spotlight

Rebuilding Together Philadelphia

A Letter From Jamila

Dear Carly,

As the busy holiday season approaches, the ACHIEVEability Team is having a wonderful time creating joyful experiences for our families. With our Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, Coat Distribution, Holiday Gift Drive and End of Year Fundraising Campaign, we are focused on making sure our families have all of the things they need to create lasting memories and cozy occasions throughout the holidays, and into the new year.

We also know this can be a time of year that is challenging for families. Whether it's the financial burden that the holidays bring or past emotional trauma, we are reminded that mental health issues increase around the holidays. Prior to the pandemic, we surveyed the families in or neighborhood and over 50% reported experiencing some sort of mild to medium depression. This was before COVID, and we all know this number has only gone up.

October is Depression Awareness Month, a time to focus on mental health education and depression awareness. Medical News Today recommends the following ways to help loved ones experiencing depression:

Offer help with finding therapy or support groups.
Offer help with daily tasks.
Start a conversation about how they are feeling and express support.
Keep asking them to come along or join an activity even if the likelihood of them joining is low.
Keep in touch with them.

If you or a loved one is experiencing depression, please visit the Center for Disease Control to learn more and find help.

As this time of year kicks into high gear, please take care of your friends and family, as well as yourself. Self-care is important, so be kind and generous to yourself, as well as those around you. Make sure to stop and smell the roses and appreciate the seemingly small moments. And know that you are not alone. You are a part of the ACHIEVEability Village, where we are committed to our families - building a rising and thriving West Philadelphia neighborhood for all!

Warmly,

Jamila Harris-Morrison

Executive Director

Partner Spotlight:

Pacifico Auto Group and PECO

Pacifico Auto Group and the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation donated 100 brand-new coats to ACHIEVEability, a PECO partner organization, spreading warmth and dignity throughout our neighborhood. The coats will be given out during our Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway and resource fair on November 16th. Thank you for being such great partners to ACHIEVEability!

Learn more about the Thanksgiving event here.

Why is this so crucial? Philadelphia has a serious poverty crisis. At 21.7%, Philadelphia is still the poorest big city in the country. One in five residents do not have the resources to meet their basic needs, with Black Philadelphians disproportionately experiencing poverty at 25% - nearly twice as high as that of white residents. For many of these families, everyday essentials, such as a warm winter coat, remain out of reach.

A new warm coat is more than just a piece of clothing. It can help a child stay warm and focused on learning without the distraction of cold weather. These donations ease a financial strain for parents and caregivers while igniting a sense of worth and dignity in the hearts of children facing challenging circumstances.

Pacifico Auto Group, Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation and PECO's examples of giving are a call to action to our entire ACHIEVEability Village. Join them today and get involved by donating to the Thanksgiving Donation Drive and Holiday Gift Drive. You can learn more here:

ACHIEVEability Donation Drives

Ways to Give

Thanksgiving and Holiday Gift Drive

Spread Joy this Holiday Season!

Thanksgiving Turkey Cheer

Holiday Gift Giveaway Joy

Our Thanksgiving and Holiday Gift Drives are just around the corner, and we invite you to join us in spreading joy and warmth to those in need. There are several ways you can get involved:

Donate Food to the Thanksgiving Meal Drive: Donate items from our Thanksgiving meal package list. Wanna make it even more fun? Invite your friends and family to join you. Gather your loved ones and embark on a heartwarming journey of giving. Your contributions will ensure that families in need can share a nourishing holiday meal together. Sign up here:

I want to donate food to the Thanksgiving Drive.

Donate for Thanksgiving Meals: If you prefer to make a financial contribution, you can donate online. Your cash gift provides meals for our families and helps to support a local small business owner on the 60th Street corridor.

I want to donate to the Thanksgiving Drive

Sponsor Child/ren's Wishlists: Help make the holiday season even more magical for children by fulfilling their wish lists. Your generosity will bring smiles and joy to their faces. Sign up here:

I want to sponsor a family for the Holiday Gift Drive

Thank you for being a beacon of hope and kindness to our West Philadelphia neighbors.

Program Spotlight:

Rebuilding Together Philadelphia

Rebuilding Together Philadelphia's Block Build Program

In the heart of West Philadelphia's Haddington neighborhood, a remarkable transformation took place, thanks to Rebuilding Together Philadelphia's (RTP) Block Build Program. This volunteer block beautification project highlights what can be achieved when neighbors and partners come together with a shared vision of mending and uplifting the community.

Creating Safer and Brighter Homes

Working with RTP, homes in the neighborhood were repaired and revitalized over two full days of volunteer service. These activities impact more than just bricks and mortar repairs, they enhance the safety and overall quality of life for West Philadelphia residents.

The Block Build included the installation of solar-powered security lights, illuminating the once-dark streets and enhancing safety in the neighborhood. Additionally, volunteers painted porch railings and living room walls to add vibrancy and warmth to the homes. Weatherizing basements ensure that residents are better protected from harsh weather conditions.

A Helping Hand for Modest Incomes

The RTP Block Build event brings together neighbors who are individuals and families living on modest or fixed incomes. For them, these home repairs are a lifeline and provide safe and healthy living conditions for Haddington residents. ACHIEVEability and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia are not just creating immediate improvements; we are helping neighbors stay and thrive in West Philly - perpetuating generational wealth and prosperity.

Gratitude for Partnerships that Transform Lives

We are grateful to RTP for their continued partnership! Their commitment to making a tangible, lasting difference in the lives of West Philadelphia residents is evident in every nail driven and every light installed. Together, ACHIEVEability and Rebuilding Together are not just rebuilding homes, we are nurturing hope, fostering resilience, and empowering the community to thrive.

ACHIEVEability In the News:

WURD Radio's "The Source" with Andrea Lawful-Sanders

Don't miss this remarkable interview featuring ACHIEVEability's Executive Director, Jamila Harris-Morrison, and Director of Economic Development, Carmen Hubbard, as they joined Andrea Lawful-Sanders on WURD Radio's "The Source." This interview, recorded during the Rebuilding Together Philadelphia Haddington Block Build, sheds light on how we can and will end poverty in Philadelphia.

Listen to the interview here: The Source w/ Andrea Lawful-Sanders | Jamila Harris-Morrison & Carmen Hubbard - 10.6.23 by WURD Radio (soundcloud.com)

For more ACHIEVEability news and impactful moments, visit our website's "In the News" section at ACHIEVEability - In the News

Mark Your Calendar: ACHIEVEability Impact Day

ACHIEVEability is hosting its inaugural Impact Day on April 19, 2024. This event will bring together the entire community, as well as individuals and organizations committed to giving back to West Philadelphia.

Impact Day is not just about volunteerism, it's also about raising money to support ACHIEVEability's ongoing efforts to build a thriving community. The day will feature multiple volunteer projects, including beautifying the corridor, painting, gardening, and construction. These activities will be followed by a celebratory meal, providing an opportunity for volunteers to connect and celebrate the positive changes made in West Philadelphia. Email development@achieve-ability.org to learn more about how you or your company can participate.

Keep In Touch

Twitter: @achieveability

Facebook: @ACHaPhilly

Instagram: @achieveability

LinkedIn: ACHIEVEability

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