FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 3, 2007

Contact:

Erinn Daids or David Johnson, 215.387.2134

Acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua and former gang member Cle "Bone" Sloan to visit West Philadelphia Youth Center

Free Movie Screening and Discussion of "Bastards of the Party"

Philadelphia--On May 7, The Bridge's West Philadelphia E³ Center will host a viewing of one of the most powerful documentaries on gang history to date. Acclaimed feature film director Antoine Fuqua and former gang member Cle "Bone" Sloan will visit the youth center for a viewing and discussion of their HBO documentary, "Bastards of the Party." After the movie screening, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of Fuqua and Sloan and voice their concerns and ideas about the changes needed to save Philadelphia's youth. The movie screening is free and open to the public.

Currently, an inactive member of the notorious Bloods gang, Sloan looks back at the history of African American gangs in Los Angeles and makes a call for change in modern gang culture with "Bastards of the Party." Sloan joined the gang at age 12 and spent his youth shuffling back and forth between the street and prison. Then, with help from football legend and actor Jim Brown, Sloan entered the film business and worked his way up to an acting career. His film credits include such films as "Training Day" and "Tears of the Sun." He has also appeared on Larry King Live, Nightline with Ted Koppel, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua has established himself as one of the foremost talents of his generation. His films include "The Replacement Killers," "King Arthur," "Tears of the Sun," "Bait," and "Training Day," starring Denzel Washington, who received an Oscar® for his performance.

The West Philadelphia E³ Power Center, operated by The Bridge, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, gives teens who have dropped out of school or are involved with the juvenile justice system new opportunities for education and employment training. The center also offers specialized services for young offenders through its "Welcome Home Center," which provides a variety of mandatory services for young offenders returning to the community from the city's six juvenile placement facilities.

The movie screening will take place May 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3901 Market St. (University Square Plaza) in West Philadelphia. For more information or to attend, please call Erinn Daids or Selena Tucker at 215.387.2134.

# # #

Philadelphia's three E³Power Centers offer skill-building experiences for out-of-school and other disconnected youth that are grounded in youth development theory and practices. E³ stands for Education, Employment and Empowerment. The Centers' service delivery structure is designed to help youth achieve long-term goals in the areas of education, occupational skills, life skills and employment. The Philadelphia Youth Network contracts with youth-serving organizations to operate the centers, each of which offers a schedule of diverse activities that provide opportunities for holistic development.

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

May 8, 2007

Contact:

Shirley Robinson, 215.473.7451, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kimberley A. Smith, 516.812.4005, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mortgage Company Makes Mother's Day Special for Homeless Mothers

Philadelphia--In honor of Mother's Day this Sunday, Delta Funding Corporation/Fidelity Mortgage, Woodbury, NY, are sponsoring a day at the spa and dinner for 20 residents at HELP Philadelphia, a non-profit agency in West Philadelphia that provides transitional housing for homeless and low-income families.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our mothers," says Shirley Robinson, project director, HELP Philadelphia. "Many have experienced domestic abuse, foster care, childhood abuse, and other traumatic situations. From taking care of young children to working and attending school themselves, these moms are often overwhelmed with life's tasks. This day at the spa and dinner gives them a day of relaxation and luxury which they have never experienced," she adds.

Thanks to Delta Funding Corporation/Fidelity Mortgage, on May 11 and May 14, groups of the mothers will receive a complimentary visit to Toppers Spa in Center City and dinner at a local restaurant of their choice. Robinson noted that New York-based company approached the center about sponsoring the outing. "We are grateful to them. With our limited budget, HELP Philadelphia would not be able to do something like this for our residents. This event will give them a much deserved day of respite," says Robinson.

A partnership between the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation and HELP USA, the largest provider of transitional housing in New York City, HELP Philadelphia is devoted to building self-sufficiency among homeless and low-income families through the acquisition and/or enhancement of key skills necessary for independent living, such as personal self-esteem, parenting, employment, education, and health care. Eligible families participate in an intensive twelve- to eighteen-month program that ultimately qualifies them for permanent affordable housing. HELP Philadelphia's facilities include fifty transitional apartments for homeless families and the Genesis Square Townhouses, a forty-unit low-income housing complex, as well as on-site daycare and a new playground. For more information on HELP Philadelphia, call 215.473.7451.

PHMC is a non-profit, public health institute that builds healthier communities through partnerships with government, foundations, businesses and other community-based organizations. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.

# # #