Community Leaders 2012 – now accepting applications

Community Leaders is a nine month intensive training program that will educate individuals about their community while helping them to develop their own personal and professional skills. TEC-CDC recognizes the importance of proper training which will empower not only the individual but the community. Community Leaders training will focus on five concepts: 1) Effective Communication 2) Customer Service 3) Problem Solving 4) Community Awareness and 5) Service Leadership. The program is designed to reinforce the training by having each Community Leader complete a service project in order to graduate.

The program will offer a monthly stipend, networking opportunities and specialized training. If you are interested in learning more about the program or would like an application please contact Donnell J. Brown at dbrown@theenterprisecentercdc.org or 215.895.4021.

Parents in Action Council

TEC-CDC’s Parents In Action Council will hold a three part workshop series “Educating Parents About Their Rights”. The Parents In Action is partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Leaders in Education Advocacy & Reform Network (LEARN) for this series. The workshop dates and topics are:

• Feb 9:   Fairness in Disability Diagnosis
• Feb 16: Understanding Your Child’s Evaluation
• Feb 27: Protection for Students with IEPs Having Disciplinary Problems

For more information, please contact Aleea Slappy at 215-895-4010 or aslappy@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Neighborhood Foods CSA in West Philly

Neighborhood Foods CSA is a joint venture between The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation and Urban Tree Connection that will focus on the importance of fresh food access and employment of local youth in west Philadelphia neighborhoods. Interested customers purchase a share and in return receive a bountiful box of seasonal produce once a week throughout the growing season. As a member of Neighborhood Foods, customers have the opportunity to support the Walnut Hill or Haddington neighborhoods by donating a CSA share to families in need. A basic fruit and vegetable share from Neighborhood Foods will cost $600. This is a weekly share, packaged for you, for a total of 22 weeks (May-October) as well as the option to purchase local value-added products like jams, jellies, and bread!
To sign up for a share or for more information, please visit http://www.westphillyfood.com or call 215-895-4010.

Leaders 4 Success Teen Council – now accepting applications

We are interested in teens between the ages of 13-18, who want to develop their leadership
skills. Those interested are invited to apply for the Leaders 4 Success (L4S) Teen Council.

The council meets at The Enterprise Center on Mondays and Wednesdays of each month from 4PM to 5:30PM; and the members learn ways to empower peers and influence their communities through interactive lessons on goal setting, mentorship, gratitude, and community service.

The students also participate in the monthly SALT & PUFFA (Students Advocating for Lifestyles Transformation) and (Philadelphia Urban Food And Fitness Alliance) youth-led gathering. Youth prepare and eat together a healthy family-style meal, while learning about food and fitness in their communities and discussing ways in which they can make a change.

For more information, please contact Tiffany Spraggins at 215-895-4095 or by email tspraggins@theenterprisecentercdc.org

PUFFA Youth Standing Up and Speaking Out!

On January 26th, Leaders 4 Success, UNI, Youth Leadership Council, and GAMP came together
for the monthly SALT & PUFFA gathering, which was held at People’s Emergency Center in West
Philadelphia. Youth lead a discussion on such diverse topic as the Youth Food Bill of Rights and Youth
Food Councils from Toronto, Chicago and Baltimore, with a couple special guests who helped facilitate
and answered any questions with respects to the topic and how to get involved.

Please check out this link on the Youth Food Bill of Rights, http://www.youthfoodbillofrights.com/.

For more information, please contact Tiffany Spraggins at 215-895-4095 or by email tspraggins@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

The Center food Culinary Enterprises brings Jobs through Food to West Philly

The Center for Culinary Enterprises is under construction. Look for the project to be completed this summer. The CCE will be one of the nation’s most comprehensive commercial kitchen centers, designed to be an engine for creating food-related jobs and businesses, and to provide resources to emerging food entrepreneurs in Philadelphia. The CCE is a 13,000+ square-foot project at 310 S. 48th Street, including three state-of-the-art commercial kitchens for rent to culinary entrepreneurs, the eKitchen Multimedia Learning Center, and three retail spaces.

For more information, visit http://philafood.net/wp/ or contact Greg Heller at The Enterprise Center CDC 215-895-4075 or by email gheller@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Walnut Hill Community Farm Recognized at the Governor’s Residence

Pennsylvania First Lady Susan Corbett hosted a reception on December 7th at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg to recognize the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Community Greening Award recipients. The Walnut Hill Community Farm was honored as an outstanding greening project in this state-wide competition where there were 80 competing projects. The award ceremony included a tour of the state capitol followed by the reception and tour of the residence. Jason Custis from the Walnut Hill Community Assocaition and The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation staff were on hand to accept the award.

For more information about the Walnut Hill Community Farm, please contact Allison Blansfield at 215-895-4089 or by email ablansfield@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

PUFFA Youth Celebrates another Successful Year

On December 15, 2011, PUFFA Wellness Advocates hosted their monthly gathering in West Philadelphia. The new SALT & PUFFA logo was unveiled, and youth feasted on a variety of healthy BBQ food options. The youth gathered together in efforts to celebrate and reflect on what accomplishments they’ve made in their schools and communities in 2011. They have found creative ways to reach out to their peers to make better food choices, including text-messaging, using Facebook, and other modes of social media. Public Service Announcements produced during the PUFFA Youth summer internships, in conjunction with WHYY are now being displayed on the cafeterias LCD monitors in Philadelphia Public Schools.

For more information about the monthly gatherings, please contact Tiffany Spraggins at 215-895-4020 or by email tspraggins@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Fall Community Clean-up in Walnut Hill and MLK Event

On Saturday, December 3rd The University District hosted their Fall Community Clean-up. The Walnut Hill Community Association and TEC-CDC Street Team Members volunteered throughout the day. Community members were invited to attend from 9AM to 1PM to participate and speak with members firsthand about opportunities for becoming more active in their community. The clean-up was held on the grounds of (43rd and Spruce Street).

Looking for opportunities to serve this coming  Monday, January 16th on MLK Day ? The Walnut Hill Community Association is sponsoring a Community clean-up at the old West Philadelphia High School (4700 Walnut Street) and Walnut Hill Playground (47th Samson Street) from 10AM to 2PM cleaning supplies and lunch will be provided.

For more information on the Walnut Hill Community Association, please contact Lorna Peterson at 215-895-4040 or by email lpeterson@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Center for Culinary Enterprises brings Jobs through Food to
West Philadelphia

The Center for Culinary Enterprises is under construction. Looking for the project to be completed over this summer. The CCE will be one of the nation’s most comprehensive commercial kitchen centers, designed to be an engine for creating food-related jobs and businesses, and to provide resources to emerging food entrepreneurs in Philadelphia. The CCE is a 13,000+ square-foot project at 310 S. 48th Street, including three state-of-the-art commercial kitchens for rent to culinary entrepreneurs, a youth-run training restaurant, the eKitchen Multimedia Learning Center, and two retail spaces.

For more information, visit http://www.philafood.org or contact Greg Heller at The Enterprise Center CDC 215-895-4075 or by email gheller@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

School Food 101: A Community Discussion with Results

On November 15^th over 100 parents, students, educators, and community members came out to Henry C. Lea Elementary School to learn the basics about the school food system. Topics included where school food comes from, how it is prepared, and efforts to bring farm-fresh food to neighborhood schools. The panelists were Lisa Jones and Amy Virus from SDP Division of Food Service, Deb Bentzel of Fair Food, and Kathy Fisher of PCCY. A number of questions were generated by the audience and we will continue to work on getting them answered and disseminated.

After the School Food 101 event the School District of Philadelphia Division of Food Service added two additional West Philadelphia High Schools Paul Robeson and Parkway West to Eat Fresh Here. This farm to school program incorporates locally grown fruits and vegetables to school meals. Eat Fresh Here is managed by the School District of Philadelphia Division of Food Services, Fair Food and The Food Trust.

For those that could not attend here is segment that aired on WHYY highlighting the discussion.http://whyy.org/cms/fit/audio/school-food-101/. For more information about the event please contact: Bryan Fenstermaker at 215-895-4020 or by email bfenstermaker@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

PUFFA Youth Taste Test for School District

PUFFA Youth Wellness Advocates had a unique opportunity to taste 15 new potential menu items that will be offered in their cafeteria at the School District of Philadelphia. On November 17th the PUFFA Youth Wellness Advocates hosted their monthly SALT & PUFFA gathering and incorporated the tastes testing.We hope to have results in 2012.

Shirley Watkins lead the youth in the tastes testings.Watkins is a subcontractor for Temple University in collboration with the School District of Philadelphia, to explore the opportuities for new products to be implemented into the lunch menu.

Local produce from the farm to school program Eat Fresh Here, was included in the tasting. Produce items including broccli, sweet pototes, carrots; is incorprated into the gathering menu on a regular basis. Of the over 320 schools across the city of Philadelphia, 28 schools currently participate in Eat Fresh Here. These schools purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for use in school meals several times per week.

To learn more about the SALT & PUFFA Gatherings, please contact Tiffany Spraggins at 215-895-4020 or by email tspraggins@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Youth Business Showcase a Success

On November 30^th, The Enterprise Center held a student business exhibition to highlight the success and importance of youth entrepreneurship in Philadelphia. The Executive Incubator business launch party, “Lights, Camera, Business: Teens in Action” was an opportunity for teen entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses while selling their goods and services. Just over 150 community members, family and friends came out to support these teens as they introduced their businesses to the public for the first time.  Businesses included: baking, jewelry, candy dolls, buttons, and clothing,  to hair accessories, barbering, neighborhood cleaning, modeling and photography. The room was bubbling with commerce and excitement as products and services were purchased.  Over the course of the evening, a raffle made eleven people the lucky recipients of products and services that the teens either made or sold. To learn more about the Executive Incubator After-school program please contact Aleea Slappy at or 215-895-4010 or by email aslappy@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

2011 Farm Season Complete

This year’s last crops have been pulled up, the asparagus and garlic has been mulched for next spring, the cisterns have been drained, and the fig trees have been wrapped in tarp…the Walnut Hill Community Farm has officially been put to bed for the winter.We enjoyed a productive season with over 600 pounds of produce taken off the farm and sold during the CSA programs. Now it is time to begin planning an even more productive season next year.  Stay tuned for announcements regarding registration for next year’s CSA program.

For more informationon any of these events, please contact Allison Blansfield at or 215-895-4010 or by email ablansfield@theenterprisecenter.com.

School Food 101: A Community Discussion

Join us and take part in a discussion around issues relating to school food. Topics include where school food comes from, how it is prepared, and efforts to bring farm-fresh food to your neighborhood school. Learn about new efforts to improve the quality of school food and become part of the conversation. Parents, students,educators, and interested community members are welcomed!

When: Tuesday, November 15th from 6:00PM to 7:30PM
Where: Henry C. Lea School, 4700 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139

For more information about the event please contact: Bryan Fenstermaker at 215-895-4020
or by email bfenstermaker@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

“Lights, Camera, Business: Teens in Action”

Join us in supporting youth entrepreneurs during the Executive Incubator launch party, “Lights, Camera, Business: Teens in Action.” The newest group of high school entrepreneurs (Executive Incubator 1.0) will showcase and sell their goods and services during this event. Our second and third year entrepreneurs (Executive Incubator 2.0) are planning the launch party while gaining skills in event management, budgeting, and marketing. This is an event you don’t want to miss!

When: Wednesday, November 30th from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: The Enterprise Center, Philadelphia, PA 19139

For more information, please contact Aleea Slappy at 215-895-4010 or by email aslappy@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Walnut Hill Community Farm receives the 2011 PHS Community Greening Award

The Walnut Hill Community Farm received the 2011 Community Greening Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The farm was recognized as an outstanding greening project in this state-wide competition where there were 80 competing projects. The award ceremony was held on Sunday, November 6th and representatives from the Walnut Hill Growers Cooperative, Walnut Hill Commuity Association  and TEC-CDC were on hand to accept the award.

For more information about The Walnut Hill Community Farm, please contact Allison Blansfield at 215-895-4010 or by email ablansfield@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Food Week a Success!

TEC-CDC and PUFFA participated in a number of events in support of Food Week. D’atwan Nelson, a PUFFA Youth Wellness Advocate spoke on a Farm Bill Panel sponsored by the City of Philadelphia’s Health Department. It was broadcast live on WURD and is now available online at:
http://rmcp.dcollege.net/playlists/22133/html.

PUFFA sponsored a Youth Food Day Film Screening at the Philadelphia Clef Club highlighted youth organizations from around the city working to improve food access and fitness.

The inaugural “Carrotmob Philadelphia” occurred on October 21st and was attended by over 100 “buycotters.”  The event was a collaboration between The Enterpise Center, The Food Trust, the Merchants Fund, Sayre Health Center, SHARE and many others who turned out in support of West Phillie Produce and its owner Arnett Woodall.

For more information about these events please contact: Bryan Fenstermaker at 215-895-4020 or by email bfenstermaker@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Halloween at the Walnut Hill Community Playground

The Walnut Hill Community Association and Friends of theWalnut Hill Playground hosted a Halloween party at the playground. The event took place on Halloween night and has become an annual event in the community. The children enjoyed treats and participated in activities such as face painting in a fun-filled safe environment. For more information about the Walnut Hill Community Association, please contact Lorna Peterson at 215-895-4040 or by email  lpeterson@theenterprisecentercdc.org.

Join Us for Passing the Torch on October 6^th

Passing the Torch is an annual celebration of the next generation of minority entrepreneurs. By honoring business men and women who are continuing the legacy their parents have built, The Enterprise Center salutes the entrepreneurial spirit and its ability to change lives. For more details, please visit: http://www.theenterprisecenter.com/ptt2011. The 6th Annual Passing the Torch takes place at The Enterprise Center this Thursday, October 6th, from 5:30-8:00 PM. Mistress of Ceremonies, Dyana Williams of 107.9 WRNB-FM, will host the event. This year we honor the family legacy of 503 Corporation. For more information, contact Carissa Jones at 215-895-4016 or carissaj@theenterprisecenter.com.

PUFFA Youth Film Night: Come One, Come All

Come join the PUFFA youth celebrate their short film productions, completed this summer in cooperation with WHYY media camp. The film topics include eating healthy on the run; activating your energy with breakfast foods; and healthy lifestyle choices. Other youth groups are invited to join the screening. All youth groups are especially invited! Contact Kim at kimberlyl@phmc.org for more details.

When: Wednesday, October 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Clef Club Theatre, 738 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146-2232
(215) 893-9912
Cost: Free, Refreshments will be served.
Food Day Events
http://www.foodday.org

The Enterprise Center Hosts “Carrot Mob” at West Phillie Produce

As you may know, a Carrotmob (as in Carrot vs. Stick) is a gathering that supports a sustainable business to grow or become more sustainable.  It has worked well out in California, but has yet to really be tried here.  We are working with the originators of the Philly Carrotmob to host the event, to support West Phillie Produce. This is a great business that is providing fresh high quality fruits and vegetables to the community.  The owner, Arnett Woodall, is a local entrepreneur who has also hired residents from the neighborhood, especially youth.

When: Friday, October, 21 from 4 pm to 7 pm
Where: Contact  215-243-4101 for details.

Here are a couple of articles that give some background:
http://ucreview.com/celebration-of-west-phillie-produce-p2276-1.htm
http://articles.philly.com/2011-07-29/news/29829723_1_fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-healthy-foods-neighborhood

Walnut Hill Community Farm –Pick Your Own Pumpkin

The Walnut Hill Community Farm, in collaboration with Farm to City and Common Market, has operated two farm stands this season. In order to celebrate our success we are closing the stand for the season with a Pick ur Pumpkin event with help from the MBA students from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.  The event will be held on Friday, October 14^th from 3pm – 6pm at 4610 Market Streetright next to our farm stand!

October will be a busy month preparing to winterize the farm. The Walnut Hill Community Farm is hosting a volunteer farm workday on Saturday, October 29^th from 9AM -1PM. Volunteers are needed! Come bundled and ready to weed, seed, and shovel.

Looking forward to seeing you at any or both of these events! Check back on Facebook for updates..

For more informationon any of these events, please contact Allison Blansfield at ablansfield@theenterprisecenter.com or 215-895-4010.

Parents In Action

The Parents in Action Council is ready to help parents develop as community leaders, their child’s first teacher, advocates for public education and life-long learners. The Enterprise Center CDC will host its next Parents in Action Council meeting on Monday October 24th at 5:30pm at The Enterprise Center (4548 Market St.). This meeting will allow parents to learn how to use Schoolnet, an online resource that allows parents to stay up to date on their child’s achievement in the classroom. To learn more about Parents In Action or to RSVP for the meeting, please contact Aleea Slappy  at aslappy@theenterprisecenter.com or 215-895-4010

PUFFA Youth featured in September’s GRID Magazine

Seth Brown, a PUFFA youth from West Philadelphia who attends Parkway West High School ‘Stood Up and Spoke Out’ about wanting to help the School District of Philadelphia to improve the quality of food served in school lunches. There are many people and organizations working tirelessly to advocate for creative thinking about how to improve the food that children are eating in cafeterias, especially those satellite kitchens. PUFFA’s emphasis is on empowering youth so their voices can be heard. Article link: http://www.gridphilly.com/digital-edition/ . To learn more about PUFFA Youth Advocates, please contact Tiffany Spraggins at tspraggins@theenterprisecentercdc.org or 215-895-4020.

Leaders of Change program at University City High School

On Friday August 19th, three students from the summer Leaders of Change program at University City High School presented their findings to Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel and other community members. Leaders of Change is a summer enrichment program where 65 rising juniors and seniors explore a neighborhood in West Philadelphia, interview stakeholders and research an issue of importance to the community. The students share their findings with community leaders and recommend projects and social programs that would improve their community. This fall the students will continue to share their findings with community leaders while also implementing their recommendations. To learn more about Leaders of Change, please contact Aleea Slappy aslappy@theenterprisecentercdc.org or 215-895-4010.

The Parents in Action Council is back and ready to help parents develop as community leaders, their child’s first teacher, advocates for public education and life-long learners. The Enterprise Center CDC will host its first Parents in Action Council meeting of the 2011-2012 school year on Monday September 26th at 5:30pm. This meeting will serve as an opportunity for parents from various schools to connect, share ideas for improving their schools and gain resources that will help them support their children and their school community. If you have valuable resources to share with parents or you want to know more about the Parents in Action council, please contact Aleea Slappy aslappy@theenterprisecentercdc.org or 215-895-4010.

The 6th Annual Passing the Torch takes place at The Enterprise Center on October 6th, from 5:30-8:00 PM. Mistress of Ceremonies, Dyana Williams of 107.9 WRNB-FM, will host the event. This year we honor the family legacy of 503 Corporation. Passing the Torch is an annual celebration of the next generation of minority entrepreneurs. By honoring business men and women who are continuing the legacy their parents have built, The Enterprise Center salutes the entrepreneurial spirit and its ability to change lives. www.theenterprisecenter.com/ptt2011

For more information, contact Carissa Jones at 215-895-4016 or carissaj@theenterprisecenter.com.

The Philadelphia County Office of Penn State Cooperative Extension is conducting a four-session workshop on Exploring the Small Farm Dream. The first session will take place on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, at The Enterprise Center. For more information, contact Dennis Dozier, (215) 471-2200 100 or dqd1@psu.edu.

Lots of Great Press

We are grateful for all of the wonderful media attention we have received recently, allowing us to spread the word about our programs and initiatives in the community. On July 5th  the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Alia Conley wrote a great article on the Street Team, quoting Team members Tiffany Spraggins and Lydia Connelly: Click to view article.

The Walnut Hill Community Farm was a stop on the West Philadelphia Farm-to-Table Trolley Tour, organized by University City District. Reporter Dea Adria Mallin featured the farm in her piece in the University City Review on June 29th: http://ucreview.com/west-philly-fare-a-farmtotable-trolley-tour-p2816-1.htm.

On June 24th NBC’s Today Show ran a segment on KaBOOM! and the Walnut Hill Community Playground, including appearances from Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and Walnut Hill residents Horace Patterson, Deloris Fisher, and Earl Williams. Look for the “Darell Hammond gives kids a reason to smile” video: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/#43522621.

WHYY ran a piece by Therese Madden on June 17th about the Walnut Hill Community Farm, featuring our youth growers Lorenzo Cannon-Umstead and Cameron Taylor. The article explains, “Here young adults not only grow food, but also learn to grow a business.” Check it out: http://whyy.org/cms/fit/audio/one-el-of-a-farm/.

Summer Business & Leadership Camp a Success

More than 75 eager high school students attended The Enterprise Center Leaders About Business (TECLAB) weeklong business and leadership development camp. The students experienced a dynamic array of speakers from the fields of business and social leadership, including Haile Johnston, the State Director of the Center for Progressive Leadership and co-founder of the Common Market; Patrick Walsh, Vice-President of Marketing for Villa Urban Lifestyles; and representatives from Wells Fargo who led workshops on financial literacy and credit. Throughout the week students developed their own business plans and marketing strategies, utilizing the resources and entrepreneurial expertise of The Enterprise Center. For more information or to sign your child up for next year’s camp, please contact Nafeesha Mays at 215-895-4051 or nafeesham@theenterprisecenter.com.

Sustainable Water System Up-and-Running

Our water system for the farm is up-and-running! Thanks to SEPTA, Philly Rooted, Philadelphia Water Department, Philly Stake, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and UC Green for allowing us to develop this innovative and sustainable concept. Here’s how it works: 1) It rains. Water is collected from the 46th Street Station on SEPTA’s Market Frankford Line. ‎2) Water is piped around the side of the station wall (piping installed by SEPTA just for this project). ‎3) Water flows into two 1,100 gallon cisterns. ‎4) Our solar-powered water pump takes water up to the farm beds via underground piping installed thanks to our Philadelphia Health Corps volunteers. ‎5) Water flows to a tap at the farm-bed level. ‎6) Finally, we water the vegetables! For more information on the water system or the Walnut Hill Community Farm, please contact Bryan Fenstermaker at bfenstermaker@theenterprisecentercdc.org or 215-895-4020.

Farm Stands in Full Swing

Our youth growers are selling fresh vegetables grown at the Walnut Hill Community Farm, supplemented with produce from the Common Market, every Tuesday and Friday from 3:00-6:00 PM, on the farm at 4610 Market Street. They are also selling every other Wednesday on the lower concourse level of SEPTA’s building at 1234 Market Street, in Center City, alongside cooking demonstrations by Penn State’s Nutrition Links. The next Center City stand will be on Wednesday July 13th from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM. Please come out, show your support, and take home some fresh, delicious produce. For more information, please contact Bryan Fenstermaker at bfenstermaker@theenterprisecentercdc.org or 215-895-4020.

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