LIFT

LIFT-Philadelphia prides itself on being an integral part of the community it serves.  With offices in both North and West Philadelphia, LIFT-Philadelphia has developed strong relationships with an array of local community partners.  Partners refer clients to LIFT-Philadelphia for supplemental or wraparound services and support on employment, housing, public benefits enrollment, tax preparation, and FAFSA applications.

In addition to its community partners, LIFT-Philadelphia is proud to work with a variety of campus centers for civic engagement and social justice.  Our university partners provide guidance in volunteer recruitment and management as well as collaborate around internship and leadership opportunities, and include the following organizations:

• Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND)
• Civic House (University of Pennsylvania)
• The Netter Center for Community Partnerships (University of Pennsylvania)
• The Center for Social Justice and Multicultural Education (Temple University)
• The Center for Social Policy and Community Development (Temple University)
• The Agape Center (Messiah College)
• Service and Social Justice Programs (St Joseph’s University)
• Center for Civic Engagement (Drexel University)
• University Ministry and Service (LaSalle University)

Past community engagement events include:

• LIFT-Philadelphia partnered with UPenn’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships to host a city-wide art competition for students at community schools throughout Philadelphia.  The theme of the competition was “What Community Means to Me” and the winners were recognized at a community reception, where their artwork is permanently installed at LIFT-Philadelphia’s West Office.
• LIFT-Philadelphia gave presentations about its services for parents of schoolchildren at area public schools including Wilson, Overbrook, Lea, Comegys
• LIFT-Philadelphia works annually to provide off-site tax assistance sessions with Project H.O.M.E., YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, and Southwest CDC, and in 2009 recently introduced recurring FAFSA assistance sessions for community members interested in pursuing college degrees.
• LIFT-Philadelphia staff and volunteers conducted workshops and information sessions detailing their anti-poverty work at the 2009 PHENND Conference as well as the 2009 Service Leaders Summit.