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Having lived in the same neighborhood her whole life, Margaret Baldwin has seen many faces come and go.
“There was no preparation for change,” the 71-year-old of Fifth and Mifflin streets said of the altered demographics following her area’s transition from a business corridor. “We just looked around one day and all these people were here.”
Recently the influx has consisted of Nepalese and Burmese refugees, who have had integration assistance, but have not been able to interact with some long-term residents and the City’s agencies. However, the Managing Director’s Office’s PhillyRising Collaborative aims to close the gaps as it met with its second South Philly area at United Communities’ Houston Center, 2029 S. Eighth St., May 3.
The Southeast Philly project, which will reconvene 5:30 May 17 at Houston where residents will identify concerns and goals, pinpoints the highest 3rd District crime area from Fourth to Seventh streets and Tasker to Ritner streets.
With the majority of the more than 50 attendees being non-English speakers, Assistant Managing Director Adé Fequa had interpreters translating in Nepali, Burmese and Karen.
“It’s very inspiring that we have this diversity out. It’ll give us a way to work together,” Baldwin said. “Educating neighbors and developing relations [among nationalities] — that is what I’d really like to see happen.”
The first local mission, spanning from 19th to 21st streets and Reed Street to Snyder Avenue, began in July. While the stats are not yet in, Fequa believes desirable changes in crime rates and quality of life issues have occurred.
Even with the Southeast addition, his presence will remain in Point Breeze and West Passyunk with a scheduled project at the Diversified Community Services’ garden, 1529 S. 22nd St., and an alleyway cleanup slated for Friday.
“I’m actually going to divide myself in two, but give 100 percent to both,” he said.
He is particularly excited about his new challenge, which launched when about 150 volunteers tidied up the area during the April 14 Philly Spring Cleanup. Soon after, he began outreach to the immigrant population and discovered a common thread.
“One of the things was ‘we don’t have accurate information about what’s going on in the city because we don’t speak English,’” he said of complaints from non-English speakers on their inability to utilize City services.
Fequa was able to inform those residents at last week’s meeting that they could call him and 311 in their native tongues and hold until a translator picks up the line. Meeting attendees approached him after the meeting to relay their thoughts.
“These folks are super excited about getting work done over there,” he said. “They’re concerned about litter and crime, being victims of crime.”
In addition to community group representatives, 1st District Councilman Mark Squilla, 3rd District Capt. Michael Ryan, Police Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Mayor Michael Nutter’s Chief of Staff Everett Gillison and Managing Director Rich Negrin, among others, were on hand to hear concerns. Negrin reiterated residents’ importance in PhillyRising’s success.
“The commitment I want from you is to keep coming,” he said. “And bring a friend.”
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
In this week’s Police Report:
Tapping into a meth operation
Birthday behind bars
Smashed
Police gatherings 05-10-12
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