Eastern State Penitentiary 

 Neighborhood First Empowerment Engagement group had their first visit to the Eastern State Penitentiary, located at 2124 Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia. Eastern Sate Penitentiary was one the most famous and expensive prisons in the world and approximately 300 other prisons all around the world were constructed based on its design. Once we arrive all youth and staff was given a special guide led tour that was very hands-on and interactive. When the tour was over, the youth were given an opportunity to participant in a very interesting self paced guided Audio Tour that was designed to supplement the “Voices of Eastern State”. Although the youth were without a tour guide, staff from the Eastern State were still available everywhere to ask questions. Once the tour was over, our youth were invited to a special presentation entitled “Prison inside a Prison” where the facilitator not only reviewed the history of Eastern State, but she explained and showed the youth where the prisoners would go if they broke the rules. The Youth from Empowerment & Engagement thought the Eastern State Penitentiary was very interesting and a great place to visit. The youth was really able to imagine how the prisoners life was like by walking through the cell blocks. Over all the youth felt that this attraction was well worth a visit.

Gwymedd-Mercy College Tour

 5 seniors,11 juniors and two staff counselors from Neighborhood First’s Empowerment Homework Club travel to Gwymedd-Mercy College for a tour. The College's peaceful 160-acre campus is located in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, a suburb 20 miles from Center City Philadelphia. The immediate area is rich in the history of Colonial America, and two of the oldest homes in Pennsylvania are located on the Gwynedd-Mercy campus. While on this visit the participants were able to learn a little history about the school and experience several aspects of college life such as: admissions requirements, financial aid, campus bookstore, library, tutoring center, athletic facilities, administrative offices, campus facilities, and visits to classrooms, residence halls and dorms. This college tour gave our youth an opportunity to become actively involved in obtaining first-hand, accurate information about a college. The tour lasted approximately an hour and 15 minutes and ended in the campus large dining room where the participants were given the opportunity to eat with college students for lunch. Although the youth enjoyed the college tour and express how it open their eyes to college life, If the participants were asked what did they like most about the visit they would all say the all you can eat cheese steaks, double cheese burgers, Cesar and buffalo chicken wraps, and sweet and sour chicken with rice, cake and ice cream.

 

Pennsylvania State Trooper Juan Andrews

    Pennsylvania State Trooper Juan Andrews spoke to a large audience of Neighborhood First Participants. The lecture was not only well recieived, but sparked discussion, interest, and trust. Trooper Andrews led the participants through a journey of fear, joy, sadness, laughter, and inspiration. His goal: not to become a statistic. He spoke on the avenues of options and choices. This topic energized the audience which led to a two hour lecture and discussion. Trooper Andrews provided a night that educated the participants on legal practices, procedures, and represented Law Enforcement, not as the enemy, but the protectors.

Shooting Against Violence 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Forty Five participants from all of Bristol Township, Bristol Borough Middle Schools and NFP staff participated in a
April madness 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament/Cookout sponsored by Neighborhood First Program. This event went on for 3 consecutive Thursdays, started Thursday April 10, 2008. The event was held in F.D.R middle school gymnasium. Trophies were awarded to first place winners, second place winners, and third place winners. Plaques were awarded to the best out of 5 three point contest, and the best out of 5 free throw contest. This event was free to all and all 45 participants were provided with a Neighborhood First shooting against violence basketball t-shirt. All 45 participants were also provided with a meal, which included hamburger, hotdog, bag of chips, and juice. Each participate also participated in a raffle with a chance to win a NBA indoor/outdoor Spalding basketball and a NBA mesh back pack. In addition to basketball, this event was designed to give the youth an alternative to the gangs, gun, and violence lifestyle. With the help of Burlington’s County Times Educational Services Manager, Antonette Bomentre-Walter, and NFP staff, we were able to educate each student about the dangers od bullying. Another goal of the tournament was to involve youth in spreading the anti-gang, anti-vioparticipate and spectator or in between their games about violence and learning how to prevent violence message in a way that will be accessible to their peers.

Slot Car Racing

This spring at FDR Middle School, young people built wrecked, rebuilt, and raced slot cars.  They also learned about teamwork, respect, and following the rules.  Next year we hope to have slot car clubs at other Bristol Township Schools, and regular competitions.  For information on next year’s slot car competition, contact Neighborhood First at 215-788-4886.

 

Sea Perch Robotics Competition 

 

Neighborhood First sponsored a team at FDR Middle School in its second robotics competition of the year.  This time we went underwater.  We built a robot that could compete in underwater agility and object retrieval contests.  After weeks of meetings, planning sessions, engineering huddles, practice sessions at the pool, and practice presentations, we brought our robot to Drexel University on April 25, 2009 for the Sea Perch competition.   Our team had a great time.  We demonstrated the ability to think on our feet in the oral presentation when we received unexpected questions, and the ability to solve problems as a group poolside. The robot was not as agile as we would have hoped.  The team members learned valuable lessons about robots, math, engineering, buoyancy, teamwork, dedication, showing team spirit, one another, and themselves.  It was a great experience!

Philadelphia Car Show

 Twelve participants from the Neighborhood First Program attended the Auto Show at the Convention Center in Philadelphia.  The young people not only enjoyed seeing the exotic cars, and fantasizing about them, but also talked with adult leaders about goal setting and the benefits of hard work.  The young people conducted themselves quite well, and looked after one another in the big crowds.

Temple – Charlotte Basketball Game

 
Ten Neighborhood First participants traveled to Philadelphia to watch the Temple Owls play the Charlotte 49ers.  They left at 5:00 pm and were home around 9:00 pm.  The participants ate McDonalds and enjoyed a good basketball game.  The young people also had the opportunity to watch two prominent gentlemen be inducted into Temple’s Hall of Fame.  One of these men was John Chaney, Temple’s now retired head basketball coach.  Cheney gave a good speech about the importance of doing one’s best in school.  One line that stuck with the young people was a quote that Cheney gave: “enter to learn, depart to serve.”  The participants were well behaved, and are already asking about the next trip.

 
Recording Studio Trip

Nine Neighborhood First participants took a tour of the New Directions Recording Studio in Willingboro, New Jersey .  The trip went well, and the young people represented themselves well.  They were given a CD that they recorded, and were given an open invitation to return in the future.

Youth Network/Variety Show

Neighborhood First Program Inc.’s Youth Network Project held its first annual Variety/Talent Show at Benjamin Franklin Academy.  The show was sponsored by Weed and Seed, and admission was free.  The theme of the show was “Let’s be the change.”  The members of the Youth Network project planned and staged an event  which brought youth together to take a stand against violence, promote change, and to use the stage to showcase their talents.  In planning and putting on the event themselves, the youth were also made aware of the positive impact they can have on their community.  There were 25 acts that performed, with the assistance of a four piece house band. There was an audience of at least 350.  The singers, dancers, poets, and other performers were introduced by Sirena Moore, the President of Elohim Cleaning Contractors Incorporated. She is also an active community member who was on the January 2009 cover of Black Enterprise Magazine and has released her own motivational CD.  The event was a tremendous success, and the Youth Network Project has already begun to plan next years show.

Neighborhood First Program Family Dinner Night

 
Neighborhood First Program Inc. hosted a dinner night for 35 participants and parents.  It was a nice event featuring great food and smooth jazz.  The menu included turkey, ham, collard greens, string beans, rice, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and pies of many varieties.  The pies were donated by Today Inc., and the macaroni and cornbread by Caring Communities.  All parents received a holiday mug filled with candy.  Another Family Dinner Night is in the works. 

 
Showtime At The Apollo

 
Twenty participants from Neighborhood First Program, Inc. traveled to Harlem, New York to be audience members at Showtime at the Apollo.  The young people enjoyed the show and also enjoyed seeing the historic building.  They had an opportunity before and after the show to look at the pictures of famous black artists on the wall and to think about the contributions that these pioneers made.  The young people also had the opportunity to eat at McDonalds in Harlem, and drove by the Cotton Club.  They behaved like ladies and gentleman, and more than earned the right to look forward to another trip to New York.

 
Sixers – Jazz Game

 
Neighborhood First Program Inc. sponsored a trip to Wachovia Center for 41 youth.  The young people were provided with a meal and snacks, and had an opportunity to watch the Philadelphia Seventy Sixers play the Utah Jazz.  The Sixers lost, but the young people had a great time and represented themselves and Neighborhood First well.

 
1st Robotics Competition

Neighborhood First sponsored a Robotics team at FDR Middle School.  Weeks of meetings, planning sessions, engineering huddles, and artistic conferences culminated in a trip to the School of the Future in Philadelphia for a robotics competition put on on by Philadelphia-BEST robotics.  Our team, one of the few not composed of high school students, finished 10th, ahead of all the other first-time competitors.  We ranked high in multiple areas, including Robot Engineering, Oral Presentation, Table Display, and Spirit and Sportsmanship.  Most importantly, our team members learned about more robots, math, engineering, teamwork, dedication, and one another.

 Softball Camp

From August until cold weather arrived, Neighborhood First held T-ball and softball camps at
the Bloomsdale Fleetwing Softball Field in Bristol Township.  
Young people ranging in age from 4 to 15 learned about the fundamentals and not-so fundamentals of softball, and learned about the importance of teamwork, dedication, and using your head.

Six Flags Trip

Eight young people went on a trip to Six Flags.  The young men and women were participants of Neighborhood First’s Camp of Opportunity.  The trip was a reward for their attendance and their dedication this summer.  This was a first for many.  For some it was their first trip to a theme park., for others it was one of their first big trips.  The life skills learned in camp were on full display, and it was an exciting and fun time for staff and participants. 

Our Second Annual Martha's Vineyard Trip

Seven miles off of the Massachusetts coast, on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard, eighteen visitors from Neighborhood First enjoyed fun in the sun from August 19th through August 26th, 2008.  During our stay at the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard's Teen Center, we had a great time site seeing, taking boat trips, playing basketball, visiting the local arcade, making music in the YMCA's recording studios, and participating in community events.  The town of Oakbluff had activities ranging from live jazz music to fireworks to celebrate the town's birthday, and we were there to help them celebrate.  A highlight for the youth from Neighborhood First was the opportunity to interact with youth from Martha's Vineyard, many of whom have spent little or no time off the island.  We had a wonderful time on the island, and want to extend our thanks to the YMCA for hosting and housing us and to a wonderful women's group known as the Cottagers for their hospitality.  We also want to give special thanks to YMCA Youth Director Eric Adams for taking time out of his schedule to escort us around the island, and for providing us with many facts about the island and generally enhancing our experience.  We hope to be able to return the favor by hosting our friends from Martha's Vineyard here in Bristol in the near future. 

Bass River Forest Camping Trip

Fourteen young people and four Neighborhood First staff members went on an overnight camping trip.  This was the second camping trip of the summer, so in addition to first time campers we had several experienced outdoors-men and women who were great guides and mentors.  No one had experienced rain before, so when the downpour began it was a new experience to all.  The rain didn't come in time to wash out the fun, though.  The campers enjoyed swimming, hiking, and making s'mores around the campfire.  They also talked about accepting responsibility and adapting to new and unfamiliar situations like camping.  All in all, it was another successful Neighborhood First camping trip!

Trailblazers Bike Camp

All participants learned bike riding techniques, trail etiquette, bike inspection, and bike maintenance and repair.  These skills were acquired and honed on trails in historic Bucks County and along Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill River.  In addition to learning about bikes, the young men and women also learned about one another and about how to work positively and constructively with one another in a group setting.

Summer Drummer Camp

Neighborhood First's young men and women spent a lot of time drumming on their buckets, but that wasn't all that they did.  The campers went to several performances at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts during the center's 10th Annual Young People's Concert Series.  The campers also spent time, often while drumming, learning and reciting statistics concerning drug use, violence, teen pregnancy, and high school graduation.  Time was also made for kayaking, basketball, and even camping (see above for a description of our most recent camping trip).  Summer Drummers Camp was once again a big success.  If you missed out on it, don't worry, Neighborhood First will be drumming again this fall.  Stay tuned for more information!

Tennis Camp

Neighborhood First, in collaboration with the Bloomsdale-Fleetwing Improvement Committee (BFIC), provided Tennis lessons in Bloomsdale-Fleetwing.  Participants not only learned tennis skills, but also learned about conflict resolution, teamwork, decision making strategies, and the importance of hard work and dedication. 

Canp Of Opportunity

 
The Camp of Opportunity provided participants with many opportunities.  The young men and women had the opportunity to ride bikes, paddle kayaks, bowl at Bristol Pike Lanes, and camp overnight.  They had the opportunity to fish at Silver Lake Nature Center with a representative of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. They also were able to watch Sgt. Thomas Gaffney of the Bristol Township Police Department and his K-9 partner sniff out drugs. Tracey Mulvaney from the peace center taught them about conflict resolution and self esteem. The Vice Principal of Ben Franklin Middle School talked about goal setting. The participants also had an opportunity, through perfect attendance, interested participation, and exemplary conduct, to erase school days missed and hours owed.  Most importantly, the young men and women attending Neighborhood First's Camp of Opportunity had an opportunity to challenge and replace some of the negative labels that they have been given, and this, opportunity, like all the others listed above, was seized upon. 

Sports Game Competition Overnight Marathon

13 gentlemen came out for a night (and morning) of fun and games at Neighborhood First.   The young men played Madden 08, NBA Live 08, and other video games, while partaking in all you can eat chicken, chips, and juice.  The experience wasn't all about fun, games, and food. Former NFL player Sean Brooks stopped in and spoke to the boys about gangs, guns, violence, the importance of education, and giving  back to their communities.  Brooks also spoke about the importance of having plans (a plan A and a plan B).  

The young men had a great night, and returned home Monday morning after enjoying a continental breakfast.  They returned home with more than full stomachs.  They brought back knowledge about gangs and guns, problem solving and conflict resolution, how to meet expectations, and the importance of planning. They were able to share this information with others in their communities.  They also took with them the experience of living together in close quarters with other young men, along with a keen interest in having more great experiences at Neighborhood First.

Washington D.C Trip

Twelve young men and three Neighborhood First staff members went on an overnight field trip to our Nation's Capitol. The purpose of the trip was to give each of the young men an opportunity to see the places where laws are made and interpreted.  We saw Capitol Hill, the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Washington Monument.  We talked about what takes place in these buildings.  The young men conducted themselves and represented their community exceptionally well, displaying many of the people skills taught in Neighborhood First leadership sessions.