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Hello 2024: A New Year, A Fresh Start!
 

CPI will not be holding a Spring Course this year. Instead, we have invited CPI alumni to apply to a new “Working Group”—with sessions being held during the usual course schedule. The Working Group will help us create engagement materials for community partners, when the Planning Commission launches the update to the city’s comprehensive plan, called Our Philadelphia, next fall. 



We do plan to open applications later this summer for the next in-person course this fall. The energized participants in last fall’s cohort- the first in-person since 2019—marked the 24th cohort and increased our CPI community to 730 citizen planners! 
3 people are sitting around a round table and talking. The table is an off-white color. On it sits large poster board paper with writing on it in the center. The man to the left is darker skinned with glasses, a grey blazer, a white polo shirt, and dark blue jeans. He is holding some paper on the table. The woman in the center is darker skinned with curly brown hair and is wearing a red and white Phillie's logo t-shirt. She is holding a pen. The man to the right is lighter skinned, has short grey hair, and is wearing a light blue polo shirt with a white name tag hanging from it. He is wearing a black watch and his hands are held together on top of the table.
A man is writing on large poster board paper that is laying on top of an off-white table. The poster board has sticky notes on it with writing. You can only see the back of the man's head and shoulders. He has short hair and is wearing a black t-shirt. He is writing with his right hand. Around the man, there you can see the hands of the people around him. The hand to the left is holding a writing utensil on the table. The hands to the right are holding a paper with a sticky note on it. There is also a stack of sticky notes to the left of the poster board.

Fall 2023 CPI Cohort working together to complete their action plans.
 

Citizen Planners on the Move!
Bright orange background. Citizen Planner in Action reads as the heading with 3D text. A smiling African American woman with short black hair, hoop earrings, and a silky blouse are enlarged to the right of the photo with a similar 3D effect. In the center, a quote by Stacy Thomas, the woman pictured, reads "We didn't event realize what we had in our backyard. But for some reason, I always felt it was golden." In the bottom left corner, there is a logo for the Philadelphia Citizen's Planning Institute.

Stacy Thomas (Spring 2011) has been involved in community projects since she was eight years old, but her lifetime of service really began after she bought her home at age 19. Read more about Stacy's story!

Congrats! CPI Alum Indy Shome Awarded Citizen of the Year Award

Photo source: The Philadelphia Citizen

A musician and designer, CPI Alum Indy Shome and partners developed a groundbreaking program, the Future Visions Lab, paving the way for students at Dobbins High School to create power and innovative projects, like a feature length documentary investigating the root causes of violence, and a community “peace garden” that could also supply culinary and cosmetics projects. He recently left the District for the Philadelphia Orchard Project, where he continues to work for a better city and society for all.


Read more about Indy's story!
 

Community Resources

🚦 Requesting traffic calming for a residential street - updated form 🚸

Traffic calming measures like asphalt speed cushions can slow drivers down. They can also make crashes less likely or less severe when they do happen. 

 

You can request traffic calming for eligible streets. The Department of Streets will review your request, score it, and contact you for further information if it’s selected for traffic calming. 
Learn more and apply here!

Apply for a Targeted Community Investment Grant (TCIG)! 
Flyer with information for the Targeted Community Investment Grant program. Awards range from 1,500-50,000 dollars.

TCIG funds community-based violence prevention programs and activities that improve public safety, increase opportunities for self-development and care, and build a stronger sense of community throughout neighborhoods most impacted by violence. Awards range from $1,500-$50,000.

 

To register for an upcoming virtual session, scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the registration site.  

 

Questions? Email tcig@phila.gov 
 
 

Welcoming New Staff & Board Members
White background. Empty black square. In the center of the square, there is a bright blue paint stoke which frames a darker skinned woman in the center. The woman is smiling, has long, straight hair, and is wearing a black blazer with a white top. Her arms are folded across her body.

Sudha Suryadevara, Board Member


Sudha Suryadevara is the Chief of Staff at the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. Prior to this role she was the Chief of Staff at Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. Sudha is a proud Temple University graduate and was a participant in the 2013 fall cohort of the Citizens Planning Institute. She lives in Mt. Airy and enjoys exploring the city’s many neighborhoods. She looks forward to contributing to the Citizens Planning Institute as a board member.
White background. Empty black square. In the center of the square, there is a bright blue paint stoke which frames an African-American woman in the center. The woman is smiling, has short hair, and wears glasses. You can also see that she has two nose piercings, is wearing a necklace, and is wearing a white blouse with a black sweater.

Savannah, Intern


Please welcome our new spring intern, Savannah Winston! Savannah is a current student at Temple University pursuing her Master’s Degree in Africology and African American Studies. Originally from Louisville, KY, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Pan-African Studies with a minor in Political Science from the University of Louisville. Savannah is passionate about issues surrounding housing access and economic justice. 
 

New Article!
Three portraits of Citizen Planners

How Planners Can Inspire and Empower Citizens to Get Involved

By Donna J. Carney


Community planning academies offer a way to educate community members and motivate them to make positive contributions to their neighborhoods.
Read More

Upcoming Opportunities
Flyer for Right of Way Roundtable Series. In the top left corner, there is a dark blue and red logo for Streetbox PHL. Next to it, the heading reads "Right of Way Roundtable: Speaker Spotlight" In the center to the right, there is a photo of an olive-skinned man with short curly hair smiling and wearing a dark grey suit with a dark blue tie. The flyer also has text that introduces the man as Cory Bell, Senior Planner, Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability.

You can still sign up for Right of Way Roundtables!


StreetBoxPHL and The Collaborative are still hosting “ROW Roundtables,” featuring guest speakers from across the city and the country discussing how to create parklets, pedestrian plazas, and otherwise give concrete back to communities.


Tune in every month! The next one is February 23rd, 12 - 1pm EST, Virtual.
Join the ROW Roundtable
Young Involved Philadelphia logo. Large black Y, lowercased light blue i, large black P.

Young Involved Philadelphia Board Prep Program


YIP’s Board Prep Program is a leadership development program designed to prepare young professionals for non-profit board service.


This comprehensive program is facilitated by Philadelphia-based experts well versed in non-profit board governance. During this intensive training program, they will introduce the key components of thoughtful, engaged, and dedicated board service. They will also provide an opportunity for participants to connect with Greater Philadelphia area non-profit organizations seeking board members, committee members, and volunteers.
Learn more here
Vision Zero Phl 2024 flyer. There is a bright yellow crosswalk sign with red text that reads "Vision Zero at a Cross Roads." The sign points to a crosswords on both sides of the logo.

2024 Vision Zero Conference - Friday March 22


Traffic fatalities across the country have been on the rise, with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users making up a higher percentage of victims than ever before. Philadelphia is not alone in grappling with how to implement effective & positive changes to combat the crisis.


How do we bring Vision Zero to the mainstream? What are effective strategies for taking the politics out of saving lives? How do we deepen the work in our communities and expand the scale of proven-effective tools?



Explore these questions with us at Vision Zero PHL 2024!
Get Tickets
 

Job Opportunities

 

The New Kensington Community Development Corporation is hiring for two positions: Vice President of Programs and Director of Development.


Apply by: February 28, 2024

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is hiring a Program Manager to work on their Trails & Outdoor Recreation Team!


Apply by: March 29, 2024

The City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce is hiring a Deputy Commerce Director of Workforce Solutions! đź“Ł


This role is an executive leadership position guided by the assessed needs of businesses, residents and partner organizations. They look forward to working with the Deputy Director of Workforce Solutions to advance workforce strategies, investments, collaborations and outcomes for Philadelphians.


Learn more and apply here

The City of Philadelphia's Department of Public Health is accepting applications for their Urban Health Policy Fellowship Program!


This is a two-year paid fellowship in urban health policy designed specifically for those with baccalaureate degrees in public health. Fellows will work directly with PDPH senior leaders on high priority projects, while receiving on-the-job training in public health policy development.


Apply by: March 1, 2024

The following opportunities are currently open at Fairmount Park Conservancy:


Capital Projects Manager | Full description | Link to apply

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis


Natural Lands Field Coordinator | Full description | Link to apply

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis


Seasonal Park Program Leader | Full description | Link to apply

Apply by: February 29, 2024

The Office of Councilwoman Jamie R. Gauthier is hiring a Zoning and Planning Aide


Apply by: March 15, 2024

Resolve Philadelphia is hiring a Chief Programs Officer


Apply by: March 4, 2024

The Health Partnerships Team is excited to be hiring for a Health Equity Coordinator position! They are hoping to hire someone with an intimate knowledge of Philadelphia, who has experience cultivating robust and meaningful community partnerships.


Apply by: May 5, 2024
 

Consider making a tax-deductible contribution! Click "support this project" on the CPI page on the Philadelphia City Fund website.
Citizen Planning Institute logo with an orange "Donate" button on a checkered background

Donations will go towards scholarships, printing Citizens Toolkits, hosting more Neighborhood Exchanges, increasing support for CPI alumni, and expand CPI programming beyond the biannual course. 
 

Citizens Planning Institute, Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) | One Parkway Building, 1515 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
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