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William Penn Foundation

@williampennfoundation

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We invest in ideas that will expand access to resources and opportunities for people in the Philadelphia region.

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We’re excited to share that we have been awarded a significant grant from the William Penn Foundation.

This funding will fuel our mission and community impact by supporting our incredible free adult education program, Land and Body and a new reading series!

#powerstreettheatre #phillyarts #phillytheatre #community #philadelphia #williampennfoundation #philly

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New: Getting Our Kids Off Devices and Into Public Spaces – why creating opportunities for in-person interaction for teens is so critical.

The ills of social media and its insidious, isolating effect on teenagers have been well-documented. In-person social connections and activities are important not just for teenagers' mental health, but also for their growth and maturation as they figure out who they are and how they fit into the world – and how to feel connected to something bigger than themselves.

Our latest article highlights three inspiring examples of public spaces that are designed for teens to gather in community. See the link in bio.

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Poet and storyteller @mayaisangelique set the tone for what’s to come in the CAICU project series with a moving performance honoring the strength, memory, and beauty rooted in Norris Square. Don’t miss two special events this upcoming week honoring the neighborhood’s rich Caribbean history:

CAICU Artist Talk
📅 Wednesday, April 16 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 @ulisesbooks, 1525 N American St, Studio 104
With curator @marangelimr and artists @celsoart, @angurria, @caloblacksand, Dan One, and Vanessa Vega (@tainasisters)

Mural Dedication at Front and Susquehanna
📅 Saturday, April 19 | 🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 2200 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19133

Watch Maya’s full poem and pull up this week to feel it yourself!

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We are thrilled to announce our inclusion in the Black Music City grant cohort of 2025!

We now have the honor (and the funding 😌) to realize a vision we’ve championed since our opening just over a year ago.

Half of our shop will be transformed into a dedicated vinyl listening lounge. Patrons will have the opportunity to test a range of high-fidelity equipment and select from our vinyl library to enjoy through high-resolution headphones at one of four listening stations.

Our inaugural event in May will celebrate Philadelphia soul music of the 1970s and 1980s, with a special focus on projects produced by @philadelphiainternational.

Stay tuned for updates on programming and reservation details!”

Big thank you to the #CLAIMERS. #ReclaimAndRedistrubute

~RA

Photos By @tayloredgenius

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We’ve been celebrating the power of reading all month long with:
✨ Story-filled library times
📖 Inspiring author visits
🎁 Book giveaway tables
📚 A new Little Free Library
💬 And our incredible Classroom Literacy Assistants—local moms supporting young readers in the classroom every day

And we’re not done yet… 🎉
Join us for our 4th Annual Reading Festival on April 26th—a joyful day of books, family fun, and community celebration! You won’t want to miss it!

#PhillyLiteracy #ReadingFestival #CommunityPowered #AuthorVisit #LittleFreeLibrary #ReadingMatters #fairhill #hartranft #northphilly #readby4th #readingpromise #schoolpartners #phillyreads #phillykids #phillyfamilies #19133collective

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Happy Earth Day! Have you seen our new green space welcome banners in Stenton Park? Earth Day is the perfect reminder to get outside and enjoy nature. There is so much you can do outdoors at Stenton. Take a look at the banners for suggestions on how to spend your time here and for examples of plants and wildlife you might spot as you explore the grounds!

Many thanks to @historic_germantown and @william_penn_foundation for funding our banners 💚

#stenton #museum #greenspace #nature #outdoors #spring #flowers #wildlife #historicgermantown #stentonpark #philadephia #earthday

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Meet the curator of CAICU, a socially engaged public art series weaving together culturally and historically significant Puerto Rican-themed gardens in the Norris Square neighborhood created by community organizers in the 1980s. The project builds a cultural bridge between Norris Square, Philadelphia, and Loíza, Puerto Rico, through cultural organizing, public art, and cultural exchanges.

We caught up with CAICU project Curator @marangelimr to discuss how community voices shape the project, how cultural exchange fuels deeper connections beyond the artwork, and what’s been most meaningful in the process.

Don’t miss these two events honoring the neighborhood’s rich Caribbean history:

CAICU Artist Talk
📅 TONIGHT, Wednesday, April 16 | 🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 @ulisesbooks, 1525 N American St, Studio 104

Mural Dedication at Front and Susquehanna
📅 Saturday, April 19 | 🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 2200 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19133

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We are officially one month out from the launch of our new performance series and installation, Joiri Minaya: Venus Flytrap!⁠
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Created by the interdisciplinary artist @joiriminaya and curated by writer and editor @dahshawn, this exhibition seeks to reveal the hidden histories of labor and anti-colonial resistance at Bartram’s Garden and across the Americas. In this video Joiri shares what inspired the work and its name.⁠
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Venus Flytrap, taking place from May 29 – June 1, will feature performances and fabric installation at the gardens. ⁠
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Learn more and RSVP for the opening night events at the link in our bio. 🌿⁠
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Support provided by @pewcenterarts and @william_penn_foundation.⁠
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Estamos oficialmente a un mes del lanzamiento de nuestra nueva serie de actuaciones e instalación, Joiri Minaya: Venus Flytrap!⁠
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Creado por la artista interdisciplinaria @joiriminaya y con curaduría de escritora y editora @dahshawn, esta exposición busca revelar las historias ocultas de trabajo y resistencia anti-colonial en el Jardín de Bartam y por todas las Américas. En este video Joiri nos cuenta qué inspiró la obra y su nombre. ⁠
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Venus Flytrap, que se lleva a cabo del 29 de mayo al 1 de junio, está compuesto de una serie de actuaciones y una instalación de tejidos en los jardines.⁠
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Conozca más y haga RSVP para los eventos de la noche de estreno en el link de nuestro perfil. 🌿⁠
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Apoyo proporcionado por @pewcenterarts y @william_penn_foundation.⁠

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What a day at Kingsessing Library! 🎉

Yesterday’s ribbon cutting marked a new chapter for this beloved neighborhood space, now reimagined through an $8 million #RebuildPHL renovation.

We’re grateful to @councilmemberjg, former Councilmember Jannie Blackwell, @freelibrary, @william_penn_foundation and the entire Kingsessing community for coming together to celebrate this milestone.

Here’s to the future of Kingsessing! 💚

#KingsessingLibrary

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Is there anything better than a new trail? 🤔 We don’t think so! The Christian to Crescent connector, part of the Schuylkill River Trail, is officially open!

This new segment makes it easier than ever to walk, run and roll between neighborhoods, parks and key destinations — safely and car-free. Another big win for the Circuit Trails Network, and its @grittynhl approved ✨

💚 Love trails like this? Help keep them growing: CircuitTrails.org/get-involved

#TrailDevelopment #CircuitTrails #OnTheCircuit #philadelphia #ThingsToDoPhilly

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🚨🚨 Attention PA Voters: Are you ready for Election Day on Tuesday (5/20)? If not, don't worry, Seventy’s got everything you need to vote with confidence.

For even more resources, visit seventy.org.

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With Farmer Tito and Ms. Monique leading the way, our kids are digging deep, learning big, and blooming strong! Our partner school gardens are more than just a place for plants — they’re spaces for growth, connection, and empowerment. Proud to see the next generation sowing seeds of curiosity, kindness, and community together.

#YouthInAction #GardenClub #CommunityRoots #GrowingTogether #fairhill #hartranft #northphilly #urbangardening #phillygardens #phillykids #foodjustice #greenphilly #schoolgardens #schoolpartners #19133collective #gardens

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