Cedar

The West Philadelphia Branch at Greater Philadelphia YMCA strives to be a strong community resource and a catalyst for change. Justin Spencer-Linzie, Executive Leader of the West Philadelphia Branch, seeks to steer the YMCA into a state-of-the-art facility that addresses the needs of its neighbors.

YMCA memberships are accessible and offer people an opportunity to be a part of their community. Those who are interested in joining can meet the staff, take a tour, and ask any questions. Some health insurance plans, including Keystone First Medicaid, may cover the membership fee. Programs are offered for people of all ages to stay active, including swimming lessons for all skill levels, summer camps for children, wellness classes, volunteerism, and more. People can learn about job opportunities through their website or by visiting the branch and speaking with staff.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the West Philadelphia YMCA temporarily closed and provided Y at Home programming to promote healthy habits and encourage people to follow recommended safety. Amid the uncertainty and confusion around the pandemic, the YMCA team served as a vital resource of information for families to protect themselves and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Upon its return to on-site operations, the facility partnered with the School District of Philadelphia by providing childcare for frontline workers.

Additionally, the West Philadelphia YMCA partners with other local organizations to address issues the community faces. Mostly recently, the branch has partaken in efforts to addressing gun violence in the city. They also have participated in Playstreets, a program designed for children to have a safe place to play with nutritious food provided.

Learn more about the West Philadelphia Branch at Greater YMCA here.

Kia Lockman is Lead Pastor of Wharton-Wesley United Methodist Church and a member of our Community Advisory Board. A dedicated philanthropist and community service agent, she is driven by her love of God and a passion to help her surrounding neighborhood. Serving on the Community Advisory Board has provided her the opportunity to give back to a community whom she feels has abundantly given to her during her upbringing.

Kia is a native of West Philadelphia and grew up surrounded by influences that helped to promote her love of God, culture and life. She completed her early education at Sanctuary Christian Academy and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina State University and her Master of Education from Saint Joseph's University. Kia currently teaches high school history and has authored two children’s books.

After working in various industries, Kia found her calling for spreading the word of God through acts of faith and began to pursue this vocation through preaching. She has also worked to become a certified candidate for the local pastoral program and the young adult chair for the Eastern PA Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Turning Points for Children, a PHMC subsidiary, provides a range of social and health services to support children, caregivers, and families.

Turning Points for Children is a PHMC subsidiary that provides social and health services to support children, caregivers, and families. Formed in 2008 by a merger between the Children’s Aid Society of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Society for Services of Children, Turning Points joined PHMC in 2013 and currently serves more than 17,000 youth and families across the region with a range of social service and family strengthening programs. Approximately 7,000 youth are served through Turning Points’ four Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs). Turning Points provides supportive services for children related to placement in the foster care system, including foster care, group homes, residential treatment and adoption. Additionally, Turning Points offers programs to address economic and environmental challenges families face, including access to health care, unemployment, nutrition and wellness, and unemployment. Turning Points also provides after-school family programs, teen parent education, and assistance to caregivers and in-home services for children who are at a higher risk of abuse or neglect.

To learn more about Turning Points and ways to get involved, please visit the website.

For more information about Turning Points’ virtual “Parent Café” events, please visit this calendar.

In the spirit of National Foster Care Awareness Month, we have resources to share for caregivers of children in the foster care system on behalf of our partners at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers guides to help parents, teachers, and other adults involved in children’s lives learn how trauma experiences can impact children.

Fostering Health Program | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
CHOP’s Fostering Health Program page provides resources, including books for children, to help families understand and navigate foster care and trauma experiences.

One Simple Wish
One Simple Wish offers an opportunity to help grant the wishes of children in foster care.

Sesame Street
Sesame Street provides resources for parents to help children in crisis cope with the challenges of their experience in foster care. These videos on relaxation and belly breathing may also be helpful.

FosterClub
FosterClub offers a range of website resources, as well as information about how youth who have experienced foster care can lead the way toward impacting change in their communities.

PHMC has been awarded additional funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) for the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar.

PHMC has been awarded additional funding from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to support the continued development of the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar. PHMC was initially awarded $2 million in December 2021 and recently received an additional $1. 75 million.

PHMC continues to acknowledge and recognize the strong support from Senator Anthony Williams and Representative Rick Krajewski, whose Districts include the Cedar Campus, and Representative Amen Brown, whose District borders the Campus.

The funding will go directly toward the renovation and restoration of the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar. PHMC is continuing to work with its partners – Penn Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Independence Blue Cross Foundation – to transform the facility into a 21st century hub for health and wellness.

Read more about the initial RACP funding here.