Temple University’s Center for Intergenerational Learning is seeking adults 55 and older to participate as mentors in the Across Ages program. Across Ages is a mentoring project targeting youths 10-12 attending middle schools in Philadelphia.
The unique and highly effective feature of Across Ages is the pairing of older adult mentors with young adolescents, specifically those making the transition to middle school. The overall goal of the project is to prevent, reduce or delay the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and the problems associated with such use.
Funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention since 1991, Across Ages has consistently demonstrated significant positive outcomes for the children who participate.
Exchange students arriving
AYUSA International will greet high-school students at Philadelphia International Airport as they take their first steps on American soil.
They are exhausted from their long journeys, jet-lagged and happy that their dream of coming to America has come true. Sometimes they even burst into tears of relief to find that a kind, welcoming family is there to greet them.
You can be one of those families, because there are still a few students who do not yet have hosts. If you would like to welcome one of these young people into your home for the 2003-04 school year, please call AYUSA Regional Director Barbara Overton at 610-532-7699 or 800-251-4938 or e-mail her at ABOverton@aol.com.
New roots for farmers
The Food Trust Farmers’ Market at 17th and South streets has moved to 15th and South, in front of the Jamaican Jerk Hut.
The market will be open for business Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. The first farmer at the market will be Jacob Beiler from Dry Wells Produce, bringing from Lancaster County farm-fresh corn and tomatoes and a variety of baked goods. Lisa Kerschner from North Star Orchards will join the market in early August with her delicious pears, peaches, fruit butters and jams.
The market will be open through October, and possibly until Thanksgiving. SPR
Local teen goes to Washington
Pat Diamond, of the 2600 block of South Colorado Street, is one of 400 scholars attending the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., through July 17. The conference is a leadership development program for high-school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit.
The theme is "The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today." At the conference, Diamond, a student at Girard Academic Music Program, will be given the opportunity to interact with members of Congress, Washington’s press corps and key appointees to continue formulating leadership skills and ideals. He also will meet with senators and a representative or an appointed member of their staff to discuss issues and problems facing our nation.
Diamond and the other youths will participate in a number of leadership skill-building activities involving the three branches of government. One is a role-playing simulation called Testing the Constitution, in which they examine actual Supreme Court cases. The youths also will assume roles of U.S. representatives to debate, amend and vote on proposed mock legislation.
Shopping for good recycling
South Philly resident Amir White, 4, joined Philadelphia recycling mascot Curby Bucket as the blue guy educated residents about the importance of curbside recycling at Whole Foods Market’s Summer Solstice Spectacular. The Philadelphia Recycling team was on-site with recycling schedules, educational materials and giveaways. For more information about what, when and how to recycle in Philadelphia, call 215-686-RECYCLE.
Special blessing for altar boys
A new class of altar boys from St. Casimir School, 324 Wharton St., received a blessing on Pentecost Sunday from an archbishop visiting the parish from Thailand for a missionary appeal. The Rev. Peter Burkauskas, pastor of the parish, welcomed the new altar servers at the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Casimir Lithuanian Church.
Hearings on LIHEAP
County residents will have the opportunity to provide their opinions on how the Department of Public Welfare should operate the 2003-04 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program at a public hearing Tuesday.
The hearing will be held at the Philadelphia County Assistance Office in the LIHEAP Conference Room on the second floor at 4601 Market St.
Individuals also may submit a written testimony or comments on or before July 18 to the LIHEAP contact person: Nancy Poindexter, Director of Federal Programs and Program Management, Room 224, Willow Oak Building, Complex #2, Building #42, PO Box 2675, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105
To receive a copy of the LIHEAP proposed state plans for 2003-04, call 215-560-1587.
