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Rec Crew

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 completed 19 projects from March 2023 through December 2023 at the following Rec Centers around the City of Philadelphia:

2023

  • Christy Rec Center
  • 48th and Woodland, a.k.a. “Johnson’s Playground”
  • Guerin Rec Center
  • McCreesh Rec Center
  • J. Finnegan Playground
  • D. Finnegan Playground
  • Tustin Rec Center
  • FDR Park/Parkside Playground
  • 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.

2022

  • East Poplar Playground and Underpass
  • Hank Gathers Rec Center
  • McVeigh Pool
  • Scanlon Pool
  • Belfield Rec Center
  • Smith Playground
  • The Oval
  • Tustin Basketball Court
  • Amos Playground
  • 12th and Cambria Rec Center
  • Cione Rec Center

Through mural making, carpentry, and other creative projects, program participants are guided by artists and other skilled professionals to transform their neighborhoods and themselves. Job readiness, through the development of life skills and mentorship, is an essential element of the curriculum. Participants have also built personal and professional growth plans, which include communications, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, digital etiquette, and essential job entry skills like résumé-building and interview preparation to help participants secure future employment.

Rec Crew Participants
December Collins
Team Leader
Rocquil Hankerson
Team Leader
Donnie Lopez
Team Leader
Priscilla Rodriguez
Rec Crew Coordinator
Chris Niles
Chris Garcia
Symira Garrett
Aleesha Lopez
Paige Taylor
Tevin Wilks
Kyaan Freeman-Allen
Shaun Williams
Terrence Bostic
Damion Brunson
Tajmir Ford
Maleek Brown
Briana Bethea
Rialiah Gaynor
Khareeb Graham
Tasheema Flamer
Janir Bagwell

FUNDERS

City Of Philadelphia Anti-Violence Community Expansion Grant [CEG]
Hummingbird Foundation
PA Commission On Crime and Delinquency