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A Letter From Jamila
Giving thanks to ACHIEVEabilty, partners, and our families
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Partner Spotlight
Ernst & Young volunteers transform ACHIEVEAbility's Community Garden
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Program Spotlight
ACHIEVEability hosts annual Thanksgiving Giveaway
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Dear Carly,
We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, and good food. While most of us were celebrating, it is important to remember that this is a somber time of year for many - a time of year, that highlights the complicated history our country was built upon.
Thanksgiving originated from a difficult past that involves exploitation, genocide, and colonization of Indigenous people. Therefore, it's important to recognize, learn about, and give thanks to the people who were here first - the Lenape - whose name means "the real people." We would not be here without the Lenape.
The Lenape are the original people to live in the Delaware Valley - from parts of New York and eastern Pennsylvania to New Jersey and the coast of Delaware - and they lived in this region for thousands of years. According to the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum and as shared on the West Philadelphia Collaborative History's website, "archeological evidence indicates that the Lenape inhabited the area centuries before the Europeans arrived. They established various villages along the Schuylkill River and its tributaries. Recent excavations in West Philadelphia reveal evidence of settlements along the west bank of the Schuylkill River along today's Civic Center Boulevard." The Lenape's history is rich, fascinating and extensive. To learn more about the Lenape, I encourage you to visit the West Philadelphia Collaborative History website. Finally, in a small step towards justice November is now known as Native American Heritage Month. You can also learn more about efforts that celebrate Native American Heritage here.
Thanksgiving Day has a complicated history and is a day for families to gather and give thanks. Different cultures throughout America have created their own unique traditions that are special to them on Thanksgiving. All around our community, I see our families celebrating Thanksgiving in different ways. Whether it's your uncle's famous BBQ turkey, a family recipe that only come out once a year, a block party football game, or a family movie night, Thanksgiving is a time to gather, give thanks, and to be with your loved ones. My personal favorite Thanksgiving tradition involves a plateful of collard greens and cranberry sauce. My other holiday favorite is seeing the Cowboys lose, but apparently you can't get everything you want every holiday!
As the Executive Director of ACHIEVEability, I would like to take this time to give thanks to our incredible team. The work they do every day requires an incredible amount of stamina, dedication, and compassion. I am in awe of the ACHIEVEability team and their ability to carry out the hard work of ending poverty with grace, dignity and joy.
I also am grateful to be a neighbor in this community, and to work with families as we build a rising and thriving West Philadelphia. Thank you for being a member of and a champion for the ACHIEVEability Village. We couldn't do this work without you.
With gratitude,
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Jamila Harris-Morrison
Executive Director
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Partner Spotlight:
Cultivating Community Impact: Ernst & Young Volunteers Transform ACHIEVEability's Community Garden
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On November 3rd, a group of dedicated volunteers from Ernst & Young descended upon ACHIEVEability's community garden, bringing with them a spirit of community service and a commitment to making a positive impact.
The volunteers' primary mission was to prepare the garden for the upcoming winter season, and they approached the task with unwavering enthusiasm. Volunteers prepared the garden for the winter season, pruning and harvesting fresh kale, swiss chard and sweet potatoes to share with neighbors.
In addition to putting their green thumbs to work, volunteers helped beautify the block by sweeping sidewalks and picking up trash.
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Did you know? "Results have shown that the full and basic cleaning and greening inteventions significantly reduced violent crime by as much as 30%, reduced people's fear of going outside due to safety concerns by 58%, and increased people's use of outside space by 76%!" (Camile Bridger, The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), "How Greening Communities Can Reduce Violence and Promote Health", 2018).
Thank you, Ernst & Young, for your dedication, hard work, and the positive change you have brought to West Philly. Your involvement shows the power of volunteerism and the profound impact it can have on neighborhoods.
For more information on how to get involved and volunteer with ACHIEVEability, contact us at development@achieve-ability.org. Let's rise and thrive together!
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Program Spotlight - ACHIEVEability hosts its Annual Thanksgiving Giveaway | | |
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The heart of West Philadelphia swelled with community spirit during ACHIEVEability's annual Thanksgiving Giveaway on November 16th.
ACHIEVEability welcomed over 400 neighbors to an event that featured Thanksgiving meals as well as resources from community partners, including Deeply Rooted, Global Thinking Initiative, Miriam Medical, the PA Department of Health, and Penn State Extension.
Thanksgiving Giveaway Key Highlights:
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150 families received full Thanksgiving turkey meals, while an additional 200 residents departed with bags filled with non-perishable food items.
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100 new kids winter coats were provided to families, thanks to the generosity of Pacifico Auto Group and PECO.
- Health and wellness offerings: 12 flu shots, 24 blood pressure screenings, and 12 glucose tests were offered to neighbors along with free COVID tests.
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180 residents registered for emergency resources, career growth opportunities, higher education pathways, and first-time homebuyer program information.
Community Engagement:
- The 60th Street Strong youth showcased their entrepreneurial spirit, host their pop-up businesses to engage with neighbors.
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ACHIEVEability engaged residents in an interactive dialogue about the community garden, distributing low-maintenance trees to foster stewardship and greenery in their yards and gardens.
As the event concluded, a collective sense of gratitude swept over the gathering, acknowledging the village of supporters whose dedication transformed the event into a success. ACHIEVEability's Thanksgiving Giveaway was a celebration of unity, resourcefulness, and communal strength.
A special thank you to all who donated, financially and in-kind, to ACHIEVEability's Thanksgiving Giveaway - ACME, Christine Hoff, Dakota, Fresh Grocer, GIANT, The Higgins Group, OBGYN - Penn Fertility Care, Pacifico Auto Group, PECO, ShopRite, Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Trader Joe's, Riverwards, URBN, Wegmans, and Weiss! Appreciation to our event resource partners: Deeply Rooted, Global Thinking Initiative, Miriam Medical, PA Department of Health, and Penn State Extension, 60th Street Strong business owners and youth participants. The success of this event shows that rising and thriving together is truly a community effort!
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Organization Spotlight:
ACHIEVEability's staff shares what they are grateful for!
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Embracing the spirit of gratitude this season! Our ACHIEVEability family in West Philadelphia came together to share heartfelt moments of thankfulness. It's a beautiful testament to the power of community and connection.
Check out our 'Giving Gratitude' video and meet the dedicated faces #behind-the-giving. Happy Holidays from our village to yours!
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End of Year Giving Campaign -
Be Part of the ACHIEVEability Village
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Make your donation to ACHIEVEability’s year-end fundraising campaign and become a part of the solution.
Your donation today will:
1. Help families earn degrees and become first time homeowners, giving them a path to generational wealth.
2. Open the eyes of young people to a world beyond gun violence, and a life of possibility through education, training and mentorship.
3. Provide opportunities for West Philadelphians to participate in paid job training to launch careers with family sustaining wages
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