Bridging Philly

ECA’s Heater Hotline team serves numerous calls each week from low-income families who have no hot water. The program plans to assist families with water heater replacements at no cost.

This week Bridging Philly speaks with CEO of ECA, Steve Luxton, and Director of Community Programs, Lorraine Horton, on the recent launch of the Philadelphia Water Heater Emergency Fund, along with tips on how your family can start conserving energy and promote a sustainable household.

Many students in the Philadelphia School District rely on school meals during the school year. With school being out, kids no longer have access to free lunches. This week Bridging Philly tackles food insecurity in Philadelphia.

KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with Community Impact Director Anita Anim of the American Heart Association and Jamese Newsome-Williams, Director of Adult Programs and Community Services of North 10, on their partnership to feed the community in North Philly.

KYW’s Shara Dae Howard meets with Program Coordinator Ron Brown at Smith Playground in South Philly. Ron has been a volunteer at the playground and coordinator of programming for seven years, and in that time, he’s become a father figure and mentor to the community. His goal is to keep kids fed and off the streets while helping them.

The Philly Rising Changemaker runs the streets and neighborhoods of Philadelphia for Mental Health Awareness and gun violence prevention. KYW’s Antionette Lee speaks with two organizations, Black Men Run and Swagger House Run Club.

The wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade sparked a lot of reactions and protests across the nation. Kimberly Mutcherson, co-dean and law professor at Rutgers Law School joins KYW’s Racquel Williams to talk about the legal implications of what’s next to come and discuss some privacy rights at risk.

KYW’s Shara Dae Howard speaks with local Philadelphia doctors as they share challenges and legal risks after Roe’s overturning, from determining provider care when the life of a mother is at risk to medical treatments.

The Philly Rising Changemaker is Philadelphia Family Pride, discussing the uptick of high demand from the LGBTQ+ families seeking counsel.

Through justice work, advocacy, non-profits, and weekly events, the Philadelphia LGBTQ Community is keeping Pride afloat.

This week on Bridging Philly, KYW’s Racquel Williams, Shara Dae Howard and Antionette Lee first sit down with State Representative for the 181st District and is the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, and co-facilitator a social support group at the William Way LGBT Center called Transway to speak on policies still needed to be placed to protect members of the LGBTQIA+ Community.

The ladies also sit with the Executive Director of William Way LGBT Community Center, Chris Bartlett, and his mission to preserve and tell the stories and memories of those who lost their lives through a crisis such as the aids epidemic, gun violence, and Covid-19. He also shares stories of historical events that happened here in Philadelphia.

Lastly, KYW’s Shara Dae Howard, speaks with Philly Drag Legend, Brenda J. Lamour, who began her drag career more than three decades ago. Lamour joins in to tell her story and speak on her countless work and fellowship mentoring youth in the LGBTQ community.

This week on Bridging Philly we honor the history of Juneteenth. We invite Tamara Staley, President of The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family Inc, and Cornelia Swinson, Executive Director of The Johnson House as they both give us a little history lesson on the federal holiday.

Our Newsmaker of the week is Nikki Powerhouse, an LGBTQ community Philly poet and author of color who advocates for POC through her plays. Hear about her recent break out play I AM.

Our Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Bilal Qaayum as he speaks on his work in the community honoring Father's Day and Juneteenth.

This week Bridging Philly invites Melany Nelson to highlight and share her new position in the DA’s Office as the director of the Philadelphia CARES Unit, providing immediate crisis response to families impacted by homicide deaths throughout the city of Philadelphia.

Our Newsmaker of the week is Duiji Mshinda, founder of Vinyl Tap 215, a DJ production company that is at the forefront of Night Life and major events in the City with a focus on making the industry a safe space for marginalized community members such as POC, LGBTQ and women DJs.

The Philly Rising Changemaker recently started last March, as a way to create queer community and learn and explore some of Philly’s feathered friends, hear from Queer Birding.

This week Bridging Philly invites Pastor G. Lamar Stewart to speak on the rise of gun violence in Philadelphia and how his new initiative, Corners to Connection, works in collaboration with local Philly Pastors and their efforts to speak to the community in most crime-ridden neighborhoods.

This month we are highlighting Philly Pride. Philly's PHL Pride March and Festival is part of PHL Pride 50. Our Newsmaker of the week highlights Ashley Coleman, who is one of the several organizers of this year's Pride events shares what this month has in store.

The Philly Rising Changemaker is Mentor Leaders Produce Mentor Leaders, a local nonprofit working to develop young boys across the city into prosperous men.

With the uncertainty of Covid-19, Inflation, baby formula shortage, and the recent tragedies of mass shootings, the nation may feel anxiety, angry, hopeless, powerless, or even desensitized. Bridging Philly held a group discussion this week with local psychologist Dr. Valerie Braunstein of Philly Psychology, LLC. Dr. Braunstein gives tips on coping with loss and grievance and how to talk to your kids about the recent events.

The Philadelphia Prisons have been at the forefront of the news for the past couple of months. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society on their investigation of allegations towards Philadelphia Prisons and how the crisis continues to brew. You will hear from Philadelphia Prison Commissioner Blanche Carney as she addresses those allegations and highlights how the pandemic impacted their operations and staff shortages.

The Newsmaker of the week pays tribute to our community moms raising children in the midst of the violence nationally and locally. KYW’s Shara Dae Howard speaks with North Philly mother Yolanda Sydnor on her efforts in keeping her 3 sons out of trouble and her family on track from the struggle.

Our Philly Rising Changemaker is Myon Butler, whom the Philadelphia School District recently highlighted as the Student of the Month. Earlier this year Butler found himself at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Center, and he's now on his journey to finish school and become the first in his family to graduate college.

Childcare providers, mothers, and educators rallied at City Hall for National Day Without Child Care on Monday in an effort to raise awareness of low pay. KYW's Racquel Williams was at this rally speaking to many providers on the issue most childcare providers are facing today. Diane Barber, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Child Care Association joined Bridging Philly to speak on solutions and the importance of Early Childhood Learning.

The Newsmaker of the week is Jen Devor, President & Co-founder of Better Civics, a nonpartisan civic engagement non-profit, speaks on their released second election toolkit which focuses on educating and empowering local citizens when they vote in the May primary.

Our Philly Rising Changemaker is Delaware County Judge Keith Williams II. Judge Williams II is helping to inspire and mentor young boys in the area through an organization called Men on a Mission.