 Every time the 76ers score a bucket this year off a smooth feed into the paint, a no-look dime to the corner, a towering alley-oop, or any kind of pass, local organizations seeking to end violence will receive money to fund their efforts, thanks to a joint program between Penn Medicine and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Assists for Safe Communities program will donate $76 every time a 76ers player is credited with an assist this season, with the total being split among six different programs.
“Partnering with the 76ers to translate on-court success into on-the-ground impact with local organizations is not only meaningful, but also aligned with Penn Medicine’s priorities to address community violence as a health issue,” said Ajeenah Amir, director of Civic Engagement & Community Partnerships at Penn Medicine. The six organizations selected as beneficiaries of the program for their violence prevention work are: Young Chances Foundation, New Leash on Life, Power of Paint, Center for Family Services - Cure4Camden, Shoot Basketballs Not People, and ACHIEVEability. Read more from Penn Medicine  Tyrique Glasgow’s life has always revolved around his South Philadelphia neighborhood, and gun violence has always been a part of it.
“When you run a block, like, you are the face. You’re the one who that community of people know. You set rules and boundaries,” Glasgow, now 39, said. “It’s a dangerous life, but it’s a normal life.” “I got tired of my community following me in a negative direction and I wanted them to follow me in a positive direction,” he said. “The kids really gave me a purpose.” Read more from CNN As Philadelphia struggles for answers to end the city's surging gun violence, officials are urging residents to look inward for solutions.
One man is doing just that and his youth center is changing lives one at a time. It's a story similar to what too many in Philadelphia have experienced themselves. "I was shot 11 times in my head, back, leg and arms," Tyrique Glasgow said. "But I didn't feel none of that. It didn't bother me at the time because it was a patch. It was something that you knew was part of what you were into it. It was part of the game, you either get shot, you die or go to jail." Read more from CBS The Passyunk Post reports that the Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia (V/WSSP), 1426 South 12th Street, has granted Tyrique Glasgow the Edward J. McLaughlin Award for Distinguished Service to Victims.
Read more from the Passyunk Post Inquirer: With life on the corner behind him, Tyrique Glasgow is guiding others to do the same5/13/2015
Glasgow left his corner 10 years ago, when he went to prison for selling drugs. Now, with a national conversation over the hopelessness and anger expressed by young black men growing up in poverty in violence-stricken neighborhoods, Glasgow's perspective is critical.
He has broken the cycle and is helping others do the same. Read more from the Inquirer |