| The 2014 Community Forum for the Next Governor was a people’s forum produced by a coalition of progressive organizations and convened by Neighborhood Networks. The forum took place in February 2014 and was televised by the Pennsylvania Cable Network and made available on the web to increase grassroots participation in the election as well as advocacy for progressive issues.
The AIDS Policy Project is a small, all-volunteer AIDS and human rights organization that is focused on advocating for an AIDS cure. AIDS Policy Project received funding to attend the GIFT two day conference for grassroots fundraising in Baltimore on August 2 and 3, 2014. The conference allowed the organization to learn more about ways to raise money to support their work and build development skills.
Black Lily Inc. received a grant for the third BlackStar Film Festival that took place in University City from July 31 through August 3, 2014. BlackStar celebrates the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora, showcasing film and video works by and about black people from across the globe and providing panels and workshops about the industry. BlackStar is a highly visible platform for the voices of independent black filmmakers.
Camp Sojourner, Girls’ Leadership Camp is a nonprofit leadership development program for Philadelphia girls ages 8 to 16. Camp Sojourner used this grant to expand their second annual 5K walkathon event, “The Sojourner Truth Walk: Inspiring Girls’ and Womens’ Leadership,” that took place on April 26, 2014. The walk is an opportunity to honor women and girls as leaders and to connect girls, parents, and the wider community with important social justice work happening in Philadelphia.
Decarcerate PA, a coalition seeking to end mass incarceration and prison expansion in Pennsylvania, received funding to attend the Allied Media Conference and the Nation Inside Gathering in Detroit on June 19 – 22, 2014. Both events provided Decarcerate PA with communication and media based tools that will help the coalition build relationships across the city and advance the campaign across the state.
Filadelfia Latin American Film Festival (FLAFF) received a grant to support the first Philadelphia screening of the socially conscious documentary depicting Cesar Chavez’s Last Fast. The film provided an opportunity for audience members to view the struggles facing farm workers, many of which continue to exist today. FLAFF held a discussion following the film which allowed for audience questions and discussion on how to support the cause.
The Independence EDGE Studio is a new grassroots group that is committed to social change for people with disabilities. The studio provides space and implements programs so that artists with and without disabilities can practice their craft, learning from each other’s perspectives. The Independence EDGE Studio used their grant to hire a consultant for help with developing a solid organizational and financial plan to ensure the future stability of the studio’s initiatives.
The Philadelphia Unemployment Project (PUP) recently convened the Raise the Wage PA Coalition to fight for an increase in Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. PUP received a grant for transportation to a lobby day and rally in Harrisburg on June 3, 2014 as part of the Raise the Wage campaign. This event allowed low wage workers and their community allies to connect with their elected officials and press them to take action to raise the minimum wage.
The Women’s Therapy Center (WTC) nurtures individual well-being and personal growth by providing high-quality, affordable psychotherapeutic services in a feminist environment. WTC received funding to host a Community Forum addressing Trans-Affirming Mental Health Care, organized in response to transgender communities’ demands for trans-affirming mental health services. The Community Forum was held on May 1, 2014 and generated community dialogue around past barriers and micro-aggressions and ways that WTC can be transparent and accountable to the trans community. |
