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SquashSmarts Staff Members Speak Up & Speak Out.
I believe we have a major responsibility to address the abuses of this country against people of color that did not just start or come to be now, but have been happening for hundreds of years and generations. + We want our families to know SquashSmarts is here to support them and that we are supporting our staff during this time. + I believe souls don’t have race. They do not have color. They do not have gender. + I hope the necessary changes that need to happen will finally take effect after so many years of anger and frustration. Black Lives Matter. + I hope the individuals who are our looting and destroying stores in their own community put the same time and energy in to voting today. I hope they are the very first people at the polls. + Our staff stands in solidarity with our families, our communities, and particularly the black community, in this city and country that has endured centuries of violence. We stand for the end of racial and economic oppression of communities of color in this country, and for the end to police brutality which continues to be a traumatic and deadly tool of that oppression. + While we don’t have all of the answers, we know speaking up and refusing to be silent is our way forward to support our students and families in the fight for racial equality, justice and a better future for everyone in the U.S.. + At SqSm, we often work on controlling or quelling anger. We often talk about how it is not OK to get angry in difficult situations. At the moment, we are in a situation where I believe it is OK to be angry. Anger and aggression are two separate things. Let the emotion of anger that you are feeling give you the power to speak out and take a stand but don’t let the emotion of aggression lead you to make uneducated decisions. + We acknowledge the reality of police brutality and focus on the root issue instead of focusing on looting and property damage. + We should not encourage families not to protest, but instead encourage them to be safe if they choose to do so. + The goal of this movement is to hold police accountable for the actions they take that result in citizens being injured or losing their lives. That is what all the protesting is about. We will know that All Lives Matter when police are held accountable for their actions and when systems are dismantled that currently oppress people of color disproportionately. + I believe that this fight is not one that the African American community should feel that they have to face alone. You should not be afraid to take a walk in your neighborhood, to enter a store, to sleep in your own bed. You should not be afraid to exist in the presence of those who are supposed to keep you safe. We see you. We hear you. We are learning to recognize our privilege and will use it to elevate black voices rather than silence your movement. You are not alone in this fight. + "There is no HATE at SquashSmarts. We are all EQUAL. We are here to support one another, so let us choose love, kindness and compassion, let's continue to educate ourselves, our students, families and neighbors and lead by example! PFCF & SqSm Feed 151 Families
April 29, 2020
A phone call turned an altruistic idea into a kinetic delivery project thanks to the Philly Family Covid Fund, Tania Rorke and a collaborative partnership with SquashSmarts Staff, Students, Families, SCH Squash Teams and the Union League of Philadelphia
It began as a grassroots effort launched by Melissa and Josh Haims last month: Philly Family Covid Fund (PFCF) had the goal of raising funds to support local Philadelphia restaurants which, in turn, provided meals to local organizations and families Since its inception on March 25th PFCF has raised more than $23,000 from 197 donors to feed first responders, nursing homes, food banks, and -- last Monday -- SquashSmarts students and families. To date, PFCF has provided meals to more than two dozen organizations partnering with over 20 restaurants and caterers [see complete list at bottom] "When this is all over," says Josh Haims, "we want to remember this time not for how much stress it was, but for how much good we were able to do for people in this city." Read more about how Melissa and Josh launched PFCF here. The SquashSmarts' partnership began when Rorke reached out to staff members Jeanie Shanahan and Nabilla Ariffin. The Thursday concept call lead to the firm commitment on Monday to personally deliver fresh groceries to every single SquashSmarts student, staff, alumni and immediate family member who might want and need them. It would be SquashSmarts first, and PFCF's largest, direct-to-residence delivery effort to date during the Covid 19 crises. Within hours, Rorke had mobilized a network of volunteer drivers from the SCH squash teams (where her two daughters played competitively); purchased and transported $5,000+ in groceries and supplied from local restaurant supply stores; created a WhatsApp project communication chain; printed delivery instructions; mapped addresses with phone numbers (but no names to mantain privacy); and secured a safe, sanitized prep spaces at the Union League-Torresdale Club House where volunteers met Monday afternoon to package thousands of food items for delivery -- each package predicated upon the size and dietary restrictions of each household'. As 'conductor of the orchestra', Rorke oversaw each detail. SquashSmarts staff provided 20-years of experience working directly with families in North and West Philadelphia. Logistics ranged from 10:00pm texts, to constant spreadsheet updates, to 7:00am emails about the healthiest grocery options which ultimately included: milk, eggs, bread, pasta, marinara sauce, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, beans, rice, homemade cookies, and more. The result: 200 bags of fresh groceries delivered personally and directly to SquashSmarts students, families and alumni – 622 Philadelphians living in 151 households around the city – in under five hours. Equally meaningful: a community of Philadelphian's who came together (or, technically, six feet apart) who would otherwise never have met were it not for PFCF's vision and the common bond of squash. In one simple afternoon, PFCF made our City of Brother Love & Sisterly Affection just a bit more Brotherly and a bit more Sisterly. Huge thank you and shout out to SquashSmarts for taking care of our [SquashSmarts partner school] Overbrook Education Center students and families. J. loves being a member of the team. Our son G. and his family would just like to thank everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to pick up food and necessities for our family. We would also like to thank you, Ross [Squash Director], for taking time out of your busy schedule to deliver the food and necessities to our home... It will help us get through this pandemic... Along with the food and necessities, G. was very excited to receive a squash ball so that he'll be able to practice his squash skills during the pandemic... We just wanted to let the SquashSmarts staff know that we really appreciate all that it does and has done for G and our family. Again, Thank You All! Sincerely, G. and Family Next Up: A network of SquashSmarts friends are planing a collaborative effort with support from the PHL Covid 19 Fund to purchase and deliver $250 VISA gift cards, cleaning products, and hand sanitizer to every SquashSmarts family. PFCF Founders, Donors & Volunteers: SCH Boys & Girls Squash Teams, Union League of Philadephia Staff, and SquashSmarts Students, Families & Staff who 'rallied' together: Nabilla Ariffin, Ross Bolling, Quinetta Bowden, Tempest Bowden, Sandee Cataldi, Alix Cummin, Megan Douglas, Debby Dowlin, Diana Giegerich, Stephen Gregg, Joshua Haims, Melissa Moddonni Haims, Steve Majewski, Anna Mazzarelli, Celia Mazzarelli, Christian Mazzarelli, Janine Mazzarelli, Joe Millman, Liz Pearson, Lucy Pearson, Margaret Pearson, Kareem Price, Grace Rorke, Tania Rorke, Jose Rubert-Zayas, Sarah Scanlin, Susan Scanlin, Tommy Scanlin, Vera Sciarra, Jeanie Shanahan, Amy Spiller, Charlotte Stahlecker, Hilary Stahlecker, Ernie Tracy, Winslow Tracy, Ashley Trawick, Austin Youngren, Malcolm Youngren, Ava Zimmer, Dana Zimmer, and Roz. PFCF has provided meals to: Broad Street Ministries, Sunday Breakfast Mission, Stenton Manor, Face to Face (St. Vincents), Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels, Germantown Boys and Girls Club, Roxborough Home for Women, Interfaith Hospitality and now – SquashSmarts. PFCF has delivered meals to: Bryn Mawr Hospital Covid ICU (day and evening shift), HUP Covid ICU (day shift), Jefferson ER and Covid ICU Units (evening Shift) Einstein Medical Center (evening shift), 14th Precinct Police Station (day and evening shifts), Philadelphia Fire Department - Engine Houses 9 and 37 (day and evening shifts) Chestnut Hill and Germantown Post Offices, Bryn Mawr ER (day and evening shifts – all staff and security), Narberth Ambulance (4 Locations) and NE and SW Philabundance Warehouse workers PFCF has supported these Restaurants & Caters: Baker Street, Barry’s Buns, Brendenbecks Bakery, Bridge Foys, Campbell’s Place, Carlino’s, Cry Baby Pasta, Brick and Brew, Chestnut Hill Brewing Company, Cosimos, Fiesta Pizza, Gabriella Catering, Gypsy, High Point Café, Jansen, Leporbaq, Locals Café, McKloskey’s, Night Kitchen Bakery, Taqueria Feliz Zsa’s, Union League of Philadelphia, Viggianos, Weavers Way Co-op and Zsa’s Icecream. SquashSmarts Press Inquiries: Community Impact Director Nabilla Ariffin College News & Scholarships
March 27, 2020
Carols Kids Announces Two New Scholarships
College & Career Acceptances
Staff & Students First
March 25, 2020
In response to the pandemic, SqSm Board of Directors has made a firm commitment to retain all full and part-time staff to support and enable them to remain focused on providing services our students and families. Specifically, staff have identified these immediate areas of focus:
#1 Needs Assessment: 3 Points of Contact per Week per Student & Family
#2 Continued Virtual Learning
#3 New Focus Groups
Note: Volunteer Support Continue. A few examples...
Special Update: Covid 19 Closure
Wednesday, March 13, 2020
SquashSmarts will be closed until further notice due to community health concerns and state requirements. Ostaff remains committed to our students and will be contact each family 2-3 times per week until we re-open. We encourage every student and family you to call or email our staff for any reason. Mientras nuestro programa está cerrado hasta nuevo aviso debido a problemas de salud de la comunidad y requisitos estatales, nuestro personal llamará a cada familia 2-3 veces por semana hasta que reabramos. También le recomendamos que llame o envíe un correo electrónico a nuestro personal por cualquier motivo Cancelled: PPL Squash Championships
March 15, 2020
SquashSmarts, the official provider of Squash for the School District of Philadelphia (SDoP), has cancelled the launch of the inaugural Philadelphia Public League (PPL) Individual and Team Squash Championships orginally schedule for March 20th and April 3rd.
The tournament will be reschedule for a later date and will remain open to any of the 200,000+ girls and boys in our city's public schools and 100% free to all SDoP Entrants. Individual Championships [Cancelled] Date: Friday-Saturday, March 20-21 Venue: SquashSmarts Lenfest Center, 3890 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 Divisions: High School Girls & Boys/Co-Ed; Middle School Girls & Boys/Co-Ed Questions: Joe Millman 215-221-6860 Sign Up Team Championships [Cancelled] Date: Friday-Saturday, April 3-4 Venue: SquashSmarts Lenfest Center, 3890 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 Divisions: High School Girls & Boys/Co-Ed; Middle School Girls & Boys/Co-Ed Questions: Joe Millman 215-221-6860 Sign Up Dreams & Detours
December 30, 2019
A Reflection by Quinetta Bowden, SqSm Alumna '09 and SqSm Middle School Academic Director
"There are many important values, but PASSION is what drives my everyday life and actions. Passion steered my life in 2016. After completing two years with City Year, I had two job offers: one as a School Teacher in New Jersey, the other as an Academic Director for SquashSmarts. I chose SquashSmarts. Why? At the time, I was passionate about giving back to the youth program and family that had given me so much as a young student. I'm still quite certain my dream job is to teach 9th grade English – and choosing the job in NJ would have put me on a path toward that dream sooner – but at 24 I decided to take a detour... A detour that lead me to discover something I'm even more passionate about than a dream job: SquashSmarts To say that this program has given me a lot isn’t sufficient. When I joined SquashSmarts in 6th grade I was a very different person than I am now. I was more shy and reserved. That doesn’t mean who I am now didn’t exist then, it was just buried under so much fear, concern and anxiety. SquashSmarts gave – and gives – me the space to be who I am and it now allows me to work with students and give them the space they need to be who they are. In middle school, this is especially important as many of our girls and boys are just starting to discover themselves, their identities and their passions. Now my passion is to make sure those young people are kind to each another and kind to the space they are in, and to help each one of them stay and grow and learn in a safe, caring place. In short, following my passion lead me to a dream I didn’t know I had: being 'me' in space that invites and encourages others to be who they are too. On behalf of our SquashSmarts family, I want to thank you all of for making the Dreams and the Detours of our student-athletes - including mine - possible. A Holiday Week
December 26, 2018
Sunday
A seven-year SqSm graduate informed our staff she made the Dean’s List at Drexel University. After giving her a huge hug, we smiled and told her she'd also just been accepted to a summer internship at ABC News in NYC through the Squash +Education Alliance. Monday A hard-working four-year SqSm middle school student jumped for joy when she learned she'd been selected to SEA's 2018-19 High Performance Team. She’ll receive coaching and funding to travel, train, expand her horizons and maximize her potential. Tuesday Our SqSm' Girls high school squash team hosted a match against a local private school team. Fun fact: one-third of the opposing team's line up was of SquashSmarts students! Wednesday Six SqSm alumni returned home at 1:00 AM from Massachusetts after helping run the world's largest junior squash tournament -- the US Junior Open -- with 900 players from 41 nations. Thursday A long-time SqSm friend made a $250,000 planned gift to our Sustainability Fund; a local law firm pledged $50,000 in Corporate EITC tax credits to support our Workforce Development Program; and a new academic tutor donated $250 to our Year End Appeal. Friday A SqSm staff member opened his home during the holidays to an alumni facing a particularly challenging time; at the same time, the mother of a SqSm student came to the aid of a staff member in need -- both proving our community is stronger, safer and kinder the more bridges that we build to support each other. Five Fun Things
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