PCF would like to thank PMHCC (The Philadelphia Mental Health Care Corporation) for their generous donation of computers, monitors, keyboards, mice and cabling. The equipment was picked up by our recycler (hard drive shredder, recycler, and parts supplier). After they process the equipment, it will make its way to PCF's warehouse where ITT Technical Institute students and other volunteers will get it ready for distribution to Philadelphia public schools.
PCF was thrilled to receive support from Interphase Medical Equipment. We received a check for $500 which will be used to support our Classroom Computers program. We could not do our work without the financial support from corporations, organizations, and individuals. Please consider making a donation or plan to volunteer today!
Board member Hal Augustine organized and facilitated a volunteer day with HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern PA. A team of HSX employees showed up and spent almost a full day doing the spectrum of volunteering: computer rehab, cable sorting, book coding and monitor testing. We got a ton of work done. The computers processed that day ended up at Houston Elementary in Mt Airy a month later and most of the books went to Emlen's new library. And [...]
Just before summer break, Endo Pharmaceuticals contacted PCF about a donation of 200 used iPads. They came without chargers/cables but those were easy enough to get. 200 iPads was huge and we knew we'd make some teachers (and their students) very happy campers. We worked closely with the Philadelphia School District to identify the schools and teachers that would utilize them the most but at the same time, would be able to secure them and support them over time. [...]
After Emlen Elementary received their new computer lab at the beginning of the 2015 school year, PCF jumped on the opportunity to teach technology classes there. About a dozen 5th graders were selected by their teachers and allowed to attend the weekly 2.5 hr class for the remainder of the school year. A donor had given PCF an old, first generation but durable 3D printer which we thought would be the perfect gimmick to get kids interested [...]
PCF was incredibly fortunate to receive about 200 used iPads from Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc (Malvern, PA) earlier in 2015. iPads are treasured in schools because of their versatility and other factors. After PCF purchased power chargers and cables, we contacted the school district for help on how to best distribute them to Philadelphia schools. With their help, we found 8 public schools that were delighted to receive them. For details, please see another post. Thank you [...]
PCF became aware of the exciting changes taking place at J.S. Jenks Elementary through the Mt. Airy Schools Coalition. Abby Thaker from Mt Airy USA suggested we get in touch with Jenks to offer technology support. During our meeting with principal Lynskey, it became evident that this was the perfect place for PCF to help with 3D Printing Classes. Twice a week for a few months, PCF helped teach the 2-hour class in their computer lab until Jenks got their [...]
When PCF heard that Emlen Elementary was converting an unused, junk-filled classroom into a library, we got very excited and offered to help. The completion of this project was a huge undertaking and involved a lot of individuals, private donations, school personnel, private schools and organizations including PCF. The opening ceremony was very touching with kids speaking as well as the family of Elbridge G. James, to whom the Learning Center and Library is dedicated. Throughout the year, we helped [...]
After our successful pilot program at Emlen Elementary, we were given the go-ahead by the Philadelphia school district to work with schools directly. Through the Mt. Airy Schools Coalition, we learned of the technology needs at Henry H. Houston Elementary and decided to see if PCF would be able to offer assistance. After our initial meeting with Principal Hall and computer teacher and TTL Ms Greenberg, we realized Houston was the perfect project for PCF. The need was [...]
PCF Board member Leona Laibhen-Cesar (standing) along with fellow Woodforest National Bank employees came in to volunteer for the better part of the day. They worked their way through a TON of books that eventually made their way to Emlen Elementary's new library. Each book was looked up on the web and then color coded according to the 100 Book Reading Challenge. This color coding method is much more practical since kids can just look for the color that matches [...]
Comcast Cares Day 2015 was the first volunteer event at the warehouse on Ridge Avenue (after we moved there from Chestnut Hill offices). Comcast has provided great support to PCF over the years and this day certainly was no different. About 20-some-odd volunteers split into several groups to sort/code books, clean computers, install hard drives and memory, installing Linux, and untangling and sorting boxes (and boxes!) of wires, mice, keyboards and so on. A special thanks to Michele Monte, [...]
PCF was featured in an article in The Notebook, Philadelphia public schools' independent voice for parents, educators, students, and friends of Philadelphia Public Schools. In the article, PCF Director and Principal Thomas from Emlen were interviewed about the beginnings of what became PCF's Classroom Computers Program. Out with the old? Not so fast District schools like Emlen and Robeson are taking donated technology and making it work in classrooms By Paul Jablow on Mar 24, 2015 Jan Deruiter [...]
PCF placed roughly 60 computers into various classroom at Emlen at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year. Due to the success of our pilot program there, PCF received official permission from the Philadelphia Public School District's IT department to roll out our Classroom Computers program to other schools. After our successful pilot program, we are now officially allowed to work with other schools directly! We learned a lot from working with Emlen: the value these computers represent to [...]
The Annual Turn & Burn Regatta is held each fall, usually the first or second Sunday in November on the Schuylkill River/Kelly Drive in Philadelphia, PA. Join us and help make sure every Philadelphia child has access to a computer. Organized by The Philadelphia Children’s Foundation, the Turn & Burn Regatta is comprised of a “Turn” (a 1,500 meter stake boat turning race), and immediately after… a “Burn (a 500 meter sprint), featuring masters, college, and high school/junior events. PCF Founder [...]
Health Partners Plans is a long-standing, not-for-profit health insurance organization serving more than 180,000 area members through its Medicaid and Medicare coverage and also many children through its KidzPartners/CHIP program. In fact, about half of their members are children. HPP CIO Hal Augustine configures software for newly rehabbed computers on their way to Philadelphia children. The Plan is owned by major Philadelphia area hospitals including Aria, Einstein, Hahnemann, Temple and St. Christopher's Hospital [...]
We all know that a student’s experience early on in school can have major implications for their future academic career. Numerous longitudinal studies have demonstrated how warning signs for future academic issues manifest themselves earlier and earlier in a child’s schooling. Simply put, without a dramatic reversal of the status quo, we are cementing educational failure and poverty into the next generation. A 2013 study from the Annie E. Casey Foundation added another significant finding [...]
PCF's six awesome interns help build a better future for Philadelphia's children. Aliya and Denise prepare computer equipment for 2nd grade students at Hartranft Elementary School. This summer, the Philadelphia Children's Foundation has a team of seven brilliant interns who are working hard to fulfill the mission of PCF: to help children of all ages find their passion, develop needed skills, and make positive career and life decisions to achieve a successful future. [...]
PCF's own Michael O'Bryan was named a 2014 BMe Leader for his work with Built4Us, a youth-based media non-profit publishing company that views creativity and interactive media as vital tools for psychological well-being. Michael is a passionate scholar who combines music, science, and psychology into programs aimed at helping youths process community trauma. As part of the award, Michael will receive a $10,000 grant to be used to jumpstart his unique program in Philadelphia. Michael has [...]
In May of 2014, PCF provided the families of 2nd Graders at Hartranft Elementary School in North Philadelphia with take home computers. Here are some of the photos of the event:
PHILADELPHIA, PA - On March 13, 2014, Philadelphia Children's Foundation distributed computers to the fifth grade students of Hartranft Elementary School. The entire fifth grade class, totaling 59 children received a computer. Students and their families, joined by Hartranft faculty and several members of the Philadelphia Children's Foundation board, gathered in the Hartranft auditorium to collect 60 newly refurbished computers. Principal Kelli Rosado addressed the students and their families and outlined the advantages of having a computer at home [...]
