By Christopher Oluwole (he/him), DAO DATA Lab
The 2024 Winter Fest, hosted by Philly Truce, signified the conclusion of the community organization’s youth program, SAFE CITY SOLUTIONS and their city-wide acknowledged Operation Hug the Block PEACE PATROL. The event brought together participants, families, stakeholders and community partners to celebrate their efforts, achievements, growth and the end of another successful year of advocacy.
Among the attendees were the SAFE CITY BOYS and their families, as well as representatives from Philly Truce partner organizations Northern Children Services, PhillyCam, Philly Young Playwrights, First Person Arts, First Hand Data Mining, Coded by Kids, Solidarity Project, and the DATA CoLab.
The Winter Fest provided an opportunity to celebrate the participants and family members of the SAFE CITY BOYS, the compelling and memorable name for the youth participants of Philly Truce’s SAFE CITY SOLUTIONS initiative. The key aspects of the program include social emotional learning, career exploration, community engagement, community service and promotion of sustainable manhood. The program supported three cohorts in 2024, which included a total of 40 participants, an increase from 12 program participants in 2023. Within one calendar year, this programmatic growth is reflective of the infinite possibilities that exist when community leaders, organizations, and agencies collaborate to support pressing community issues.
Entertainment and Fun for Everyone!
The attendees of the Winter Fest enjoyed an evening of tasty food and snacks, fun, and reflection on the past year’s efforts and accomplishments. It was also a time to imagine a vision for the future. The entertainment and festivities included a live petting zoo, hayrides, and a winter wonderland display with decorations sprawled across the campus grounds. The festive and joyous climate was the perfect precursor to the upcoming Christmas and New Year Holiday celebrations.
Philly Truce -Safe City Solutions 2024 Outcomes
The CoLab initiative aims to provide resources to community organizations to bolster their objectives and efforts. As part of this approach, Colab also encourages community organizations to collect data to inform and strengthen their programing and practices in communities. One such program is SAFE CITY SOLUTIONS.
SAFE CITY SOLUTIONS is a year-round initiative for Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) boys between the age of 12 through 17, with three distinct sessions all occurring within the months of January through August. The program curriculum and activities emphasize self-governance, social-emotional regulation, community service, career exploration and community accountability. All participants are paid for their attendance and participation and have additional opportunities to earn monetary incentives and scholarships as means to simulate the transactional and social responsibilities of a sustainable adult in the community.
With the theme of reflection in mind, Philly Truce collected data about SAFE CITY SOLUTIONS. This data can be utilized to identify strengths and areas of growth in future program cohorts. The following data reflects the results of the SAFE CITY SOLUTIONS exit survey.
- 45% of participants reported that they felt confident in their ability to handle conflicts in a responsible and safe manner
- 66% of participants reporting believing they had control over their future with hard work and planning
- 66% of participants reported feeling empowered to make changes in their community
- 70% of participants reported that they view themselves as advocates in their community
- 85% of participants reported that they thought continued education could help them sustain manhood
- 93% of participants reported feeling safe with parents/guardian
- 93% of participants reported that they would recommend the program for other youth in the area.
The Philly Truce Pledge
After every event, program, or celebratory moment, Philly Truce recites The Philly Truce Pledge. The pledge exemplifies the commitment, effort and passion that founders Mazzie Casher and Steven Pickens have for the youth and the City of Philadelphia and is instrumental to the success that Philly Truce and the Safe City Boys have experienced. I was fortunate enough to experience and participate in reciting the pledge on many occasions and can attest to its empowering and motivating effect. In every instance of the conclusion of the pledge, I departed feeling confronted, motivated and accountable. I believe it’s only fitting to include the pledge.
“This is my community. I am responsible for what happens here, how it looks here and what I do here!”
Acknowledgments
In addition to the previously mentioned partner organization, The Winter Fest’s success could not have been possible without the support of an amazing team of heroes. The team included Mr. Roger Dozier, Mr. Jay Bagley, Mr. Charles Balmer, Miss Felicia Casher, Dr. Kevin Rahman, Dr. Leslie Grace, Coach George Clark, Coach Tre Bell, Maya Stallings, and Dr. Ronda Rose-Davis.
Given the reception and the expressions of the attendees and facilitators, it can safely be concluded that everyone’s expectations for the Winter Fest were exceeded. The event required a collaborative effort and is reflective of the commitment and resourcefulness of Philly Truce and their partners. Philly Truce offers their gratitude and thanks to the year-round partners for their financial contributions, provision of space and overall support. The following organizations, Penn Treaty Special Services District, Intercultural Family Services, Jefferson Collaborative for Health Equity, Philadelphia Youth Network, Kensington CAPA High School, the University Science Center, and The Lighthouse, are all crucial to the success.
2024 was a busy but successful year for Philly Truce, its constituents and supporters. As such, reflection and celebration were prominent themes on the evening of the Winter Fest event. By reflecting on achievements and celebrating the collective efforts of participants, families, and partners, the Winter Fest not only honored their commitment but also set the stage for a flawless start to 2025 for Philly Truce.
We welcome feedback, comments, and inquiries to collaborate with the CoLab or support for the associated community partners at [email protected].
The DATA CoLab is possible through funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).