Rec Crew Updates

Sponsored by the City of Philadelphia’s Anti-Violence Community Expansion Grant and in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, we have created a significant growth opportunity in the Rec Crew. This group of Guild and Women’s Reentry Program graduates works at Rec Centers around the city, revitalizing community spaces and assisting with mural installations. They’ve even co-designed a mural for the Tiffany Fletcher Recreation Center to be installed in Spring 2024.Our hard-working Rec Crew has completed 16 projects this year from March 2023 through December 2023 at the following Rec Centers around the City of Philadelphia:

• Christy Rec Center
• 48th and Woodland, a.k.a. “Johnson’s Playground”
• Guerin Rec Center
• McCreesh Rec Center
• Tustin Rec Center
• 10 SwimPhilly sites including Christy Pool, Feltonville Pool, J. Finnegan Pool, Heitzman Pool, Hunting Park Pool, MLK Pool, Penrose Pool, Pleasant Playground Pool, Scanlon Pool, and Tustin Pool
• The entire interior of the new Juvenile Assessment Center in less than one month, which was formerly the station of the Philadelphia Police Department 9th District at 401 N. 21st Street.

We are also thrilled to announce that Priscilla “Ruby” Rodriguez has been promoted to Rec Crew Coordinator. Ruby started out in the Guild program before joining the Rec Crew as a participant when it was started in early 2022.  She was also a participant in the Women’s Reentry Program last year. As a Rec Crew member, she was the de facto crew leader on site, although she wasn’t officially given that title. The others saw her leadership, so it seemed natural that she should be elevated to the position of Rec Crew Coordinator when the position became available. In addition, December Collins, Roquill Hankerson, and Donnie Lopez have been promoted to Rec Crew Team Leaders. Congratulations to all!