University City: The not-so-secret sauce for business-community partnerships
Philadelphia Business Journal By Matt Bergheiser University City is driven by a powerful idea: the notion that density, diversity, proximity, vibrancy and knowledge combine to shape a neighborhood with magical possibilities for growth and innovation. Read Full Article
As President Fry Looks Back on University City’s Advances, the Future Beckons
Drexel NOW By Ben Seal As he reflected on the path taken in the past two decades to turn University City into a booming neighborhood with all the markers of a 21st century success story, Drexel University President John Fry couldn’t help but look to the future. Speaking Thursday at World Café Live as part […]
University City District Spotlight on Local Talent
University City District (UCD) supports the community through services like its Clean and Safe program, local events, public space enhancements, small business assistance, and workforce development. In this short film, meet two local women–Shanise Hicks, graduate of UCD’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative and Rosemary Certo, owner of Dock Street Brewery–who have been helped directly by […]
University City District’s Community Porch Revitalization Program
University City District (UCD) married the work of its West Philadelphia Skills Initiative job training program with its free, community-based initiative home restoration program Project Rehab to create the Community Porch Revitalization pilot. A cohort of unemployed West Philadelphians learned construction skills, earned OSHA certification, and worked together to reconstruct the front porch of a […]
20 Years, 20 Stories: The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
There are no typical days at the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, University City District’s workforce development program that’s been connecting unemployed West Philadelphians to jobs with major local employers since 2011. Throw a dart at a calendar and a given day may feature on-the-job training with a future employer, a presentation on financial literacy, or […]
WPSI: Changing Places, Changing Lives with Justin Bradley
Justin Bradley went from a West Philadelphia Skills Initiative carpentry cohort to earning full time employment as a member of University City District’s Green City Works landscape crew. Here he talks about how WPSI impacted his life.
West Philadelphia Skills Initiative graduations
6ABC By Staff UNIVERSITY CITY (WPVI) — Philadelphia’s University City just gained another 40 to 50 skilled workers. They graduated Friday from the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative. The year long job training program gives people who live in, or near University City, skills to work for employers such as CHOP and Drexel. Many of the […]
Brookings report calls for more local investment to unleash ‘innovation district’ potential
WHYY By Jim Saksa Before a room packed with Philadelphia’s business elites Thursday morning, Brookings Institution researchers described the city as standing on the precipice of greatness. All it will take is a little leap of faith among the region’s moneyed class and the city will take off in an economic ascendency, carried on angel […]
Mayor Jim Kenney Visits the Skills Initiative
On Wednesday, March 29th, UCD was honored to welcome Mayor Jim Kenney to the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative. The Mayor joined our current Allied Universal participants – as well as WPSI graduates and staff – to learn about our unique approach to helping local residents find meaningful employment with our employer partners. After meeting current participants […]
Pew Charitable Trust invests millions into Delaware Valley programs
Huffington Post By Louis Bolling Over the past 25 years, the Pew Charitable Trusts has awarded more than $200 million to approximately 300 nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia and surrounding Pennsylvania counties. Last week, the independent nonprofit organization announced that it will provide $6.98 million, over the next three years, to 41 area nonprofits that serve some of […]
The Skills Initiative Receives Major Support from The Pew Charitable Trusts
UCD’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is a constant source of inspiration for us. We love meeting new neighbors at our info sessions; watching participants connect with staff and alumni to hear how the program can transform their careers; and supporting our participants as they use their new skills to nail a job interview, and better […]
WPSI Enjoys a Visit From Secretary Kathy Manderino
On Thursday, March 9th, our West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) enjoyed a visit from Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino as part of her “Jobs that Pay” tour. The tour is a way for L&I to learn about successful workforce programs across the state, and share that information with other like-minded organizations […]