ACHIEVEability's Community Services Office

Annual Open House

The Community Office Open House was a huge success. More than 200 community members participated in this event on Saturday, April 27, 2013, enjoying a beautiful day filled with fun activities and great food. In addition, those who attended the event were informed about services offered by the Community Office. 

The Open House also gave an opportunity for organizations to partner with ACHIEVEability and display their resources. These organizatons included Haddington Multi-Cultural Inc, Budget Mobile, Early Headstart of Children’s Hospital,19^th District Police Department, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, State Representative Vanessa Brown, Education Opportunity Center and Urban League.

Presentations were given by Director of Community Services Nijah Famous, Admissions Coordinator Courtney Wakefield and Community Adviosry Committee Chair James Wright.

Town Hall Meetings

The next Community Office Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Mercy Hospital. The focus for this meeting is healthy mind and healthy body. Herb Nook's Ron Norwood will give a presentation on how herbs help the body. In addition, presentations will be given by Spectrum Male Health, Cancer Support Community and West Phillie Produce.

ACHIEVEability Community Services Town Hall Meeting
Mercy Hospital
501 S. 54th Street, 7th Floor
Thursday, May 23, 2013
6:00 p.m.

Please stayed tuned for more detailed information about this Town Hall Meeting. Should you have any questions please contact the ACHIEVEability Community Services Office at 215-748-8838 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The last Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 24, 2013 was a successul meeting with more than 40 residents in attendance. The meeting was held at Abiding Truth Ministries on 57th Street and Washington Avenue. The focus of the meeting was youth education specific to scholarships, grants Job Corp. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Education Opportunity Center presented information at the Town Hall Meeting.

Programs and Services

The goal of ACHIEVEability's Community Services Office is to help residents of the Haddington and Cobbs Creek neighborhoods of West Philadelphia. The office works with residents to organize, access, plan and implement activities and utilize information which will contribute to achieving a healthy, vibrant, technologically-savvy and hopeful community.

Residents of the community can contact the Community Services Office for assistance with:

• Paying for utility services to remedy a shut-off notice
• Registering to vote
• Enrolling in the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards program
• Obtaining recycling bins
• Free Federal and State tax preparation
• Finding and applying for financial aid and scholarships
• Applying to college
• Obtaining Pennsylvania public benefits such as cash assistance stamps and Medicare & Medicaid through The Benefit Bank
• Applying for LiHeap and LiHeap Crisis Grant
• CareerLink employment services
• Applying for rental and property tax rebates for seniors and people who are disabled

Youth Services

Youth Educational Workshops for children 8-17 years of age will be held throughout April 2013:   

• Peer Pressure – Saturday, April 13th from 11-3pm at Sayre Recreation Center, 5835 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19139
• Bullying and Street Safety - Saturday, April 20th from 1-3pm at Sayre Recreation Center, 5835 Spruce St., Philadelphia, 19139
• Etiquette and Dating - Saturday, April27th from 11-3pm  at a location TBD

Must complete application which is available at the Community Office located at 59 N. 60th Street from 12pm-7pm M-F and 12-4pm on Saturdays. 

Youth Trips are scheduled throughout the month of May 2013. Attendees must active participants in Youth Education Workshops. Cost for all trips is $5.00 per child:

• Saturday, May 4th from 11am-3pm - “C!RCA” at the Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, 37th and Walnut Streets
• Saturday, May 18th fromn 9am-3pm - National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore, Maryland
• Saturday June 1st from 9:30am-1pm - Ben Franklin Yacht at 401 North Delaware Ave

Free Federal and State Tax Preparation

The ACHIEVEability Community Office provided free federal and state tax preparation services for members of the community throughtout the 2013 tax season. This marked the 4th consecutive year  that ACHIEVEability has provided this service to the West Philadelphia community.

In all, 276 community residents received $447,490 in tax refunds, saving more than $138,000 on fees typically associated with tax preparation services. ACHIEVEability is working to increase the economic viability of Philadelphia's low income working households so that they can plan for stable, secure futures and can participate fully in civic and community life.

Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Program

ACHIEVEability is a proud sponsor of the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards program. For more information please click on the logo above.

Additional Information and Referral Programs

• Homeownership
• Rental assistance
• Credit counseling
• Home weatherization
• Food vouchers/food banks
• Youth activities/after school programs/recreation
• Job training programs
• Mortgage assistance
• Home improvement services

For more information contact:

ACHIEVEability Community Services Office
Phone:  215-748-8838
Email:    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Location: 59 North 60th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139