Read our newsletter
April 2006
FORGING AHEAD
A Better Philadelphia is proud to release its first newsletter!
Welcome to the first newsletter from A Better Philadelphia, Inc! We are forging ahead with our plans to create a “new normal” of safety, health, and hope in Philadelphia. One of the many outcomes we anticipate is the end of youth violence. With this newsletter we will provide you with regular updates on our programs, share with you stories of participants’ experiences, and invite you to regular events throughout our great city.
So this is our story and we’re sticking to it! Data from over 50 years of published scientific research in cognitive psychology show the connection between how we think and our subsequent behaviors. Typically, we operate and perform at our belief level and not at our potential level, and the outcomes we experience reflect that. The current outcomes we are experiencing in our Philadelphia communities, education systems, businesses, and families are factors of our beliefs and not our potential. What if we challenged our beliefs? Well, wait. First we have to know what our beliefs are. What are they? Where do they come from? How can we change them? What will happen when we do change them? ABP challenges people’s beliefs and thought processes, and provides a process to examine the way we think in order to create a “new normal” of high performance and spectacular outcomes for our region. The way to create sustained change is to change the way we think.
In just one year, ABP has challenged people’s process of thinking through several activities and in partnership with The Pacific Institute and its programs. We reached over 140 people in two events in the summer of 2005, launched a website, trained 73 community leaders, and worked with 27 teachers and staff at Turner Middle School. Participants were from a wide variety of organizations including the Philadelphia Police Department, Achieve-Ability, DHS, CityTeam Ministries, Health Partners, Chester High School PTO, the Philadelphia School District, TownWatch Integrated Services, and Women Organized Against Rape. Currently, we are in the process of building a partnership with the Haddington Cobbs Creek Community Development Corporation to help secure their vision of growth.
ABP is:
• challenging the way we look at ourselves and our“automatic behaviors” - should we be more deliberate in our actions?
• bringing together disparate groups to expose them to this concept
• sharing this process with all community gatekeepers
• working with those “at the top” and drilling down into the community so that every mom, dad, child lives these processes everyday
• starting with communities and reaching up so that leaders hear the voices of every mom, dad, and child in Philadelphia.
“One cannot be content to crawl when one feels compelled to soar.”
Helen Keller
Meet Our Board of Directors
Each issue we will introduce a member of our Board of Directors
Chip Roach, Board Chair Broker of Record Trustee Trustee |
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Meet Chip Roach Chip Roach is a founding member and the first Board Chair of A Better Philadelphia, Inc. His belief in the power of the Pacific Institute (aimed at causing cultural change rapidly), and that Philadelphia’s standing as the city to live in is soon to come, drove him to become involved with ABP. As Board Chair, Chip provides strategic direction and financial support to the program and fellow members. He has established many connections for ABP, as well as graciously promoted the institute to everyone he’s met. Chip hopes harmony between the diverse communities of the city and its surrounding neighborhoods will form powerful coalitions for change, creating a more pleasant and secure place to live. As for other desires for Philadelphia he says, “I was intrigued with Mary O’Brien’s beliefs, background and energy - her absolute conviction that she could use the Pacific Institute program for social change - which led to my support. I am a believer as well, but the key is finding the right leader.” In addition to supporting A Better Philadelphia, Chip is involved in many other activities and companies. He is the Broker of Record for Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors (which has assisted the Greater Philadelphia and Tri State area since 1886). Chip is a Trustee for AchieveAbility in West Philadelphia, for Charley and Peggy Roach Charities (which honors his parents) and Fox and Roach Charities, which has donated over $1,800,000 to various organizations focused on supporting families, and children, facing housing crises. Previous to these endeavors, Chip was the Chair of the Board of Rosemont College and for his local Chamber of Commerce. Chip has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 42 years. They are the parents of two sons and a daughter, and the grandparents of five. Chip’s passion for philanthropy has made, and continues to make, him a crucial member and advisor to not only A Better Philadelphia, but to his community as well. His faith and support in programs like A Better Philadelphia, have helped make the City of Brotherly Love live up to its name. Written by Michelle Tooker |
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A Message From Mary
Building Partnerships and Relationships
This year has been an astounding one! We have cultivated wonderful partnerships with communities, organizations, and individuals. I’d like to tell you a little bit about one of our first partnerships – that with The Pacific Institute. ABP is working with The Pacific Institute (TPI) because their programs drill down to the root cause of social challenges and has achieved success with their programs in communities all over the world. TPI is an institution dedicated to excellence and works with individuals, organizations and nations to create a common language of hope and change. TPI has a 30-year history of impacting organizations and communities through curricula that inspires self growth and organizational and community growth. We need these programs in Philadelphia.
There are two people at TPI who have been extraordinarily supportive of our work in Philadelphia. Lou Tice, the Founder and President of TPI, visited with us in Philadelphia and presented a 3 hour session on the principles of performance excellence and how we can use these principles to address the youth violence in our city. He has offered strategic support for our initiatives and has taken a personal interest in our efforts. The other person from TPI who has begun this new journey with us is Doreen Lecheler. Doreen is a Project Director from TPI whom clients and colleagues alike describe as an authentic and inspirational leader, an engaging presenter and an insightful problem-solver. Doreen’s passion for unleashing the excellence in individuals, organizations and communities has earned her a “results-oriented” reputation. Whether it’s coaching executive leadership, moving an organization toward higher performance outcomes, or developing constructive cultures that support strategic vision, Doreen has the keen ability to assess desired outcomes, current obstacles and the processes necessary to direct performance toward organizational success. And we are fortunate and grateful that she is on our team!
Graduation Reception
We’re Off to Be the Wizard!
On February 16, 2006, graduates of A Better Philadelphia’s programs were treated to a charming reception in their honor at the Penn’s Landing Caterers on Columbus Boulevard. The theme of the evening was, “We’re off to be the Wizard” and those who have completed the program understand the significance of this statement. Congratulations to our new wizards!
Curious about the “wizards?” Please call for more information!
August Graduates
A. Jean Arnold, Jasuu Bergee, Mitchell Berger, Jac Ferber, Phil Goldsmith, Jay Henry, Joe Henwood, Rocko Holloway, Carole Johnson, Tina Johnson, Dorothy Speight, Kathleen Lee, Emily Nussdorfer, Sonia Ratnaparkhi, Harvey Rice, Nancy Roach, Chip Roach, Cherie Ryans, Michael Stinson, Kathy Thompson, Sharon Tumulty, Gregg Volz, Jonathan White, Gina Yu.October/November Graduates
Shonda Allen, Marjorie Anderson, Emmit Brayboy, Sonia Bundy Carmichael, John Childress, Barrie Denaro, Rasul Fatimah, Verdell Ganges, Gretchen Barnes, Lawrence Hamm, Jacqueline Johnson, Tracey Johnson, Shaheer Madeehah, Kimberly Mitchell, Alice Powel-Hobson, Terri Way, Phyllis Williams.Turner Middle School Graduates
Adolphus Jacobs, Barbara Biddle, Charlena Martin, Charles Lumpkin Jr., Connie D’Alessandro, Karen Pendleton, Kiea Y. LeVere, Kevin Konya, Lauren Elliott, Leatha J. Hawkins, Lisa Hartman, Marcia Roye, Maurice Thomas, Phyllis B. Green, Rob Wagner, Susan Whitfield, Thelma Faison.
Making Great Strides
Mary O’Brien Participates in More Marathon in New York City
It was cold and raining. But it really didn’t matter. There were lots of smiles, lots of laughter and excitement…and lots of black running tights too! This was the scene on Sunday morning, March 6, 2006, in New York City Central Park. The More Marathon was getting started and over 3,500 women were gathered to celebrate the joys of being female and over 40! Jessica Daniel, my running partner, joined me in this exciting and inspirational event. Jess finished all 13 miles of her portion of the marathon and I completed 10 miles. So, we didn’t finish the whole marathon, but we sure came close! We are very proud that we were able to complete 23 miles and are so grateful for the support we received! The best part of the race? The hot shower and cup of Starbucks coffee afterwards! See you next year!
Special Thanks
To Our Contributors
Kris and Prasanna Arvind, Christina Baiocchi, Mitchell Berger, Flora and Dennis Cornfield, MD, Beverly Coulson, Jessica Daniel, Peter and Susan Davis, Jim, Katie, and Michele Denyer, Louis and Evelyn Eble, Jr., Thomas and Ruth Ferraro, Steven Fischer, Judy Forman, Michael Gallagher, Edward Gracely, Karen and Daniel Gruen, Bill and Barbara Hickey, Trish Hirschbeck, Kathleen and Joseph Jaworoski, Carole Johnson, Kathleen and Travis Johnson, Terrance and Chris Jumper, Cathy Kelley, Colleen Kelley, Pam Keon, Shirley Landis, Doreen and Brent Lecheler, Beth and Robert Lyon, Charles and Sandra McClintic, Terence and Melinda McDowell, Erin McGinley, Pat Merryweather, Lynda and Marshall Myers, Nichelle Mitchem, Andrea Nord-Tankin, Kevin and Leah O'Brien, Richard and Suzanne O'Brien, Chip and Nancy Roach, Jr., Charley and Peggy Roach, Jr., Joshua Roberts, Laura Solomon, Esq., Michael Tordoff, Michael and Marylin Umen, Shera Wack, Matthew and Dana Walker, Meg and Derek Warden
To Our Volunteers
Gita Faust, Accountant; Nafeesah Torpay, Grants Coordinator and Fundraiser
Arcadia University Student Volunteers
Lisa Furry, Graphic Design Major: Logo, letterhead and website;
Colleen Kelley, Graphic Design Major: Newsletter;
Joe Lichman, Business Major: Market Research;
Michelle Tooker, Journalism Major: Writer
Other Issues
Spring 2007 (PDF)
Spring 2007 (HTML)
Contact Information
A Better Philadelphia, Inc.
PO Box 58132
Philadelphia, PA 19102T: 215.884.7238
F: 480.247.5277
A Better Philadelphia, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving the Delaware Valley to end youth violence.