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Walnut Hill Community Association

About Us

Walnut Hill Community Association (WHCA) serves the neighborhood of Walnut Hill. The boundaries for the Walnut Hill neighborhood are Market Street on the North, 45th Street on the East, Spruce Street on the South and 52nd Street on the West.

WHCA was founded in 1961 by a group of neighbors, led by Charles Campbell Sr., who were concerned about the deterioration of their neighborhood.

WHCA continues to be a neighborhood group run by residents who are dedicated to their community revitalization. WHCA actively promotes the neighborhood and encourages residents to participate in community events and to help determine neighborhood improvement priorities. WHCA continues to strive and work for the betterment of the community and its residents. We welcome your input, energy and participation.

Brief News

University of Pennsylvania Virtual Prostate Cancer Education Project

University of Pennsylvania is starting a virtual prostate cancer education project. In this project, men will attend a virtual educational session about prostate cancer and complete three surveys. Men can earn up to $40 in gift cards for participation and completing the evaluation surveys.

Men 40-69 years old living in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties are eligible to join the study. This is a great opportunity for men to connect virtually while learning about an important health topic.

Are you a man interested in learning about how to improve your prostate health?

UPenn is holding information sessions for men online. Men will learn about risk factors and questions to ask their doctor.

Visit http://bit.ly/EMPaCTSignUp or call ‪(267) 935-9224 to sign up!

Men who participate can earn a total of $40 in gift cards for attending a session and completing three short surveys over the course of a month.

—
Krista Scheffey, MPH, MSW

Senior Research Coordinator

Center for Health Behavior Research

University of Pennsylvania

215-746-1775

krista.scheffey@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Please click here to view a downloadable PDF with more information.

Vaccine Clinic Saturday March 6th

Starting Sunday 2/28 after 9am, your networks can sign up via text message by texting the word READY to 267-263-7535

• Located at the School of the Future, 4021 Parkside Ave. on MARCH 6th (Dose 1) & APRIL 3rd (DOSE 2) 8am-3pm

• IMPORTANT: The purpose of this clinic is to address the vast racial inequity in COVID outcomes and vaccine distribution by vaccinating our West & Southwest Philly Black and Brown communities hit hard by COVID. Here are the zip codes this clinic is designed to serve: 19104, 19131, 19139, 19142, 19143, 19151,19153

• Eligibility: 1a or 1b

• Folks can sign up others who are unable to text simply by texting the word READY after each reservation.

Please click here to view a downloadable PDF with more information.

Armed Carjacking Report

On Friday, 2/26/21 @ 9:45 pm, Philadelphia Police received a report of an Armed Carjacking at the Sunoco Gas Station (4600 Chestnut Street). The victim was forced to drive the assailants to 50^th & Ludlow before they forced him to exit his vehicle. Fortunately, the victim was not injured during this crime.

Please use caution, and utilize the UCD walking escorts when walking alone at night.

Focus Group Conversations

Hello Neighbors,

As part of our Letter to Future Investors work with The Enterprise Center (and community partners such as Walnut Hill Community Association and Mill Creek Community Council), we are excited to announce the next stage of the project: focus group conversations.

From your insightful survey responses, we saw a need for focus groups to dig deeper together on a few key topics that rose to the top from the community-wide survey.

We would like to invite you to register your interest in joining these upcoming focus groups. Please register your interest here: https://forms.gle/T8qAJWgqFHvDyAyF9. If selected, you will be able to join on Zoom or via the phone.

The focus groups are:

1.March 15: Business / Employment Challenges & Opportunities: This session will be mainly for businesses, entrepreneurs, workers in the area focused on needs, wants, and vision for economic growth and success.

2. March 18: Public Spaces Discussion: This session is open to all, focused on public spaces such as green spaces, safety, needs, and ideas for the area.

3. March 25: Interactions with Developers and Investors: This session is for CDC, RCO, Block leaders focused on exploring challenges and needs related to interacting with investors and developers.

More information about each group is attached. To follow this project, go to www.westboundphilly.com.

Please register your interest here: https://forms.gle/T8qAJWgqFHvDyAyF9

Feel free to pass this information along to your networks and neighbors as well.

All best

The Letter to Future Investors team

A Notice to Walnut Hill Community Association Members and Friends

Thursday, February 25, 2021
A Notice to Walnut Hill Community Association Members and Friends:

It has come to the attention of the Walnut Hill Community Association (WHCA) that a proposal to install a KIPP Public Charter School Grades K – 4 in the building at 4601 Market St is underway. The tentative launch of this school facility is Fall 2022.

I, Margaret Livingston, WHCA President and members of the board have been in conversation with KIPP Philadelphia and Iron Stone Real Estate Partners about this proposal, how it may affect our community, and what impact it may have on the traditional public schools in our community.

The WHCA board does not intend to oppose the KIPP proposal at this stage. We believe that the impending business relationship between KIPP Philadelphia and Iron Stone can produce an advantageous community partnership for the residents and businesses of Walnut Hill. While we affirm our commitment to advocating for the continuous improvement of the public schools in
our community, we encourage our neighbors and members to join us in learning more about the KIPP organization and educational model. We have invited their team to build a meaningful working relationship with our community association as their project takes shape.

KIPP representatives have been invited to present more information about this proposal at our next public community meeting on March 25, 2021, 6PM. Please plan to participate in this

important exchange of information. Contact Ms. Lorna Peterson at lpeterson@theenterprisecenter.com or 215-895-4045 for the meeting Zoom link or

phone dial-in number. Always check our website frequently for emerging details and updates at: https://walnuthillca.com.

Mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic for eligible West Philadelphians to be held this Saturday

West and Southwest Philadelphia residents who are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are invited this Saturday, February 27, to a mass vaccination clinic that will be held at the Francis Myers Rec Center (58th and Kingsessing).

Those who live in the following zip codes are eligible to get vaccinated at this clinic: 19104, 19131, 19139, 19142, 19143, 19151, 19153.

The clinic will be open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please text READY to (267) 263-7464 to register for the clinic.

Connect the Dots is Hiring

They are looking for a motivated and purpose-driven Community Engagement & Communications Associate to join their team here in Philly.

Please click here to view a downloadable PDF with more information.

UCD Community Group Fund

We are working with the five local neighborhood associations that serve on our Board of Directors to give out $15,000 in grants to neighborhood brick-and-mortar businesses and non-profits in need of financial assistance.

Applications will close on Thursday, February 18th at midnight. Grantees will be notified no later than Friday, February 26th.

Please click the link below to apply:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfka93r6vjNClzTBTzLGTnEKC3YJKsMyk5wZ4BelCq5E9Xo4g/viewform

Job Posting for a Director of Legislation and Policy

Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier has represented Philadelphia’s 3rd Councilmanic District since January 6, 2020. Since then, Councilmember Gauthier and her team have worked hard to build a 3rd District Council office that prioritizes direct engagement with residents, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, shared decision-making with our constituents, the centering of the most vulnerable among us, passion for our work, and fun. Internally, we’ve strived to foster an environment of empowerment, where each team member provides ideas and input, enabling us to make decisions with our constituents’ best interests in mind. We now invite interested parties to apply for the integral role of our team’s Director of Legislation and Policy.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Max Weiss at Max.Weiss@phila.gov by 2:00 PM on February 14, 2021.

University City Community Crime Update

We’ve seen an alarming trend of armed robberies, including carjackings, in the neighborhood. UCD has been working in conjunction with the 18th District Police department to increase patrols in the neighborhood in an effort to provide more eyes on the street.

Please be aware of your surroundings at all times. Remember that anyone in University City in need of a Walking Escort – someone to accompany them to transportation, a meeting, home, or class – can call 215-387-3942 between 10am-3am and a UCD Ambassador will be dispatched. Stay in the know on Twitter by following the feeds of both The Philadelphia Police Department (@PhillyPolice) and West Philadelphia Captain Matthew Gillespie @ppdmgillespie.

18th District Community Crime Bulletin

In an effort to deter and respond to crime patterns, it is important that the public, community, and individuals report incidents of crime so officers assigned to particular Police Service Area’s (PSA’s) can implement a strategy to combat these issue(s).

Robbery Alert, Burglary Tips, and street smarts guide.

Visit: www.PhillyPolice.com/#/home for updated Calendar, PSA info & to submit a tip.

Email: Police.CPO_18@Phila.gov

Black History Month Essay Contest

For students in grades 3 to 8

First Place: $100

Second Place: $75

Third Place: $50

First place winners will read their essays at the Black History Month celebration on March 11, 2021 via Zoom platform from 6:00pm to 7:00 pm. Runner ups will be introduced.

For more information, contact your school representative and/or 215.895.4000 ext. 4040 (Leave brief msg your call will be returned). Zoom link will be sent closer to Award Ceremony date via email.

Essays can be submitted to Info@walnuthillca.com

Workforce Development Initiatives

Navy Yard Workforce Development Initiatives (NYWDI) creates training programs that connect talented South Philadelphia residents to permanent employment at the Navy Yard.

Together, we work closely with Navy Yard employers to understand hiring needs and to develop four tailored training programs in 2021. Carefully selected cohorts of local residents will be trained to fill open positions upon graduation from the program.

· This program will connect South and West Philadelphia residents who have been disconnected from the workforce or who have limited professional experience to full-time employment with a Navy Yard employer.

· Our first participant recruitment for a Grounds Maintenance Laborer Training Program will begin on January 20.

Please share with your networks so interested job-seekers can learn more about NYWDI’s current and future training programs and employment opportunities. Visit the Navy Yard Workforce Website https://navyyard.org/workforce

Our Committees

Keeping Our Community Association Running Soothly

Implementation Committee

Mission is to keep the 2016 Neighborhood Plan at the center of its planning and keep implementation a priority. We advocate for priorities in the plan and identify new needs as they arise.

Zoning Committee

Monitors zoning notices, solicits community input about proposed zoning changes, communicates neighbors’ positions to city officials, intervenes in zoning disputes, and represents WHCA before Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Playground & Farm Committee

The Park Committee of Walnut Hill was formed to involve local volunteers in gardening and clean-up work days. We contribute to maintaining a healthy Playground on 4700 Sansom St. & The Max Paul Farm at 4610 Market St.