On November 5, 2009 VILLA took over West Philadelphia High School!!!

Over 100 volunteers participated in VILLA’s 1st Annual Big Serve. Villa invited Wyclef Jean, Timberland Company, City Year, The Philadelphia 76ers, and many other special guest to West Philadelphia High School for our 20th Anniversary.

On Friday, October 23, The VILLA Teen Center at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in North Philadelphia hosted the fall installment of the Literacy Lyric Project.

The Literacy Lyric Project was established over a decade ago by Grammy Award winning producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, along with International Association of African American Music Founder and 107.9 WRNB air personality Dyana Williams.

The purpose of the Literacy Lyric Project is to promote academic excellence and encourage teens to consider careers in the entertainment industry.

Over 100 teens came out to register for Literacy Lyric Project and other Teen Center after school programs and activities. The teens were surprised with a phone call from Recording Artist Trey Songz encouraging them to follow their dreams and stay in school. The goal of all VILLA Teen Center activities is to provide access college and career planning resources.

The national financial crisis has forced many city governments into drastic rebalancing of fiscal budgets. Yesterday morning, a report called “Layoffs, Furloughs and Union Concessions: The Prolonged and Painful Process of Balancing City Budgets,” discovered that union leadership has forced city governments to choose between job losses or reduction of compensation.

According to the Detroit Free Press, “Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Baltimore, Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle were included in the report.”

In Pennsylvania, the Senate approved Philadelphia’s $700 million relief package. But the budget crisis is not over according to Senate President Joe Scarnati. Metro reported that the budget will not be complete for another week.

This financial predicament creates numerous issues within the city. In late August, Nutter announced that there will be a necessary revised budget that will result in the largest lay off of Philadelphia public servants ever.

Fortunately for many Philadelphia city workers, the crisis was averted and these layoffs did not happen.

In comparison, Pittsburgh predicts a major financial deficit in its city budget by the year 2013. According to Pittsburgh’s City Council 2009 Operations and Capital Budget, various initiates will be eliminated. Pay as you Go will end 2011, Reserve plans will diminish and deficit spending will return by 2013. Additionally, Police department pension funds will be exhausted by 2011 and Fire department pension will deplete by 2014.

Even Pittsburgh school districts are waiting for a consultant to value the Rivers Casino—which is set to generate revenue through property tax. The casino has been opened about two months ago and no progression has been made of assessing its value.

Across in Ohio, Governor Ted Strickland anticipated a $3.2 billion revenue deficit within the next two years. Even with the $2 billion cut since January 2008, there will be a 50 percent reduction of state funding to libraries. Hospitals in the state warn the governor of the potential loss of 400 jobs cuts.

The national recession has tempted Strickland to legalize gambling which will give $765 million to the state through racetracks and video lottery terminals. This decision is unlikely, because of voters reject.

Detroit Mayor, Dave Bing, will reduce the jobs for 1,000 people “unless unions agree to take a pay cut.” The Detroit Free Press also reported that “Detroit is facing a $300-million accumulated budget deficit and up to an $80-million cash shortfall this year.”

Even nonprofits are struggling to stay afloat this economic storm. According to The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits report, “400,000 jobs in the state depend on community support.” Additionally, “10 percent of nonprofits won’t make it to the other side of the recession.” The nonprofits in the state of North Carolina earn “$29 billion a year for the state’s economy.” Imagine the numerous local organizations in the community.

Major cities are in serious search for financial reform in their city budgets. Many are receiving relief as others scramble for funds through gambling and casino revenue. Either way, much needed public programs are being cut and reduction in public safety is being slashed. Can these major cities afford these drastic losses? Definitely not, but it is a common crisis nation wide.

Trenae McDuffie

This fall, VILLA donated over 1,000 VILLA School Packs to students in our communities. Students in Cleveland, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, Pa. received VILLA School Packs filled with school supplies.

This summer, VILLA and the Free Library of Philadelphia launched the VILLA Summer Essay Contest in order to promote reading and the libraries in our communities. VILLA teams at Wadsworth, Germantown, and 40th and Lancaster welcomed winners from the VILLA Summer Reading Essay Contest. Four Philadelphia students received a $100 gift card award for their excellent essays submitted to their local library branch.

Chapter on Clinton Street serves about 125 who attend daily activities

By Darrin Youker
Reading Eagle

9/13/2009

- For Luis Cedeno, the Olivet Boys and Girls Club chapter on Clinton Street is a second home.

Cedeno, a 15-year-old freshman at Reading High School, has been coming to the club in northwest Reading for several years.

On Saturday Cedeno discovered yet another reason to keep coming, as the club unveiled a new teen center featuring computers, game systems and television sets.

The center was funded with a $15,000 grant from the clothing chain Villa.

The center will serve as a hangout, but also as a place where kids can do their homework and take advantage of software to help them study for their SATs.

“It is like a home away from home,” Cedeno said. “I can come here and just chill.”

Jason Lutz, chief executive officer of Villa, and leaders of the Olivet Boys and Girls Club came to the chapter Saturday to officially open the center.

The center will go a long way toward helping the club achieve its goal of having every member graduate from high school, said Jeffrey M. Palmer, club president.

“We hope this will keep our kids here and off the streets,” Palmer said. “Kids will stay where there is a safe, caring, place.”

Deloris Reviere, unit director of the Clinton Street chapter, said the boys and girls clubs had competed against other organizations for the grant. Clinton Street was chosen because of the number of teens who actively participate in events, she said.

“This center has a lot of heart and soul,” said Andrew Lutz, who manages the Villa store in Reading.

The club has more than 1,200 members, with about 125 who come to daily activities, Reviere said. Many of those students participate in the Keystone Club, which promotes community service, she said.

“Our focus is on education and increasing the number of children who graduate,” Reviere said.

Cedeno, who is a member of the Keystone Club, said it has been raising money for Opportunity House and for malaria research.

Joshua Ramos, 16, a member at the Olivet club, predicted the teen center will be popular.

“You make good friends here,” he said.

On Saturday, September 12, 2009, VILLA opened its second VILLA Teen Center at the Olivet Boys and Girls Club.

Teens from the Clinton Street Boys and Girls Club were shocked to see the newly improved teen center. The new VILLA Teen Center will provide a space for fun and learning complete with a gaming center, teen lounge, and computer and homework area.

Students will use be able to use SAT prep software on the new computers and host Madden tournaments on their dual screen gaming center with Xbox and PS3.

VILLA has been proud to work with the Olivet Boys and Girls Club and chose the Clinton Street Club to be the site of the Reading VILLA Teen Center because of their exceptional leadership and service.

If your organization serves disadvantaged community members in need of shoes and/or sneakers, recycles older shoes, or donates worn shoes to underserved communities, please send an email request to info.jtm@ruvilla.com to learn how your organization can receive our donated shoes and sneakers.

In many of our VILLA communities neighbors are suffering from the effects of the recession. VILLA is committed to finding all opportunities to provide resources for our community members and community service partners.

From September 15 to October 15, 2009 VILLA will be collecting slightly worn shoes from customers in exchange for a discount on the purchase of new footwear.

Over 250 Philadelphia students are participating in this sneaker design art education program. The best student designs will be displayed in the windows of key VILLA locations throughout the month of October. The VILLA Sneaker Tour will be promoted by the Mural Arts Program as a city wide event.
“Walk a Mile in My Shoes”
On Wednesday, October 28, the Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia Students, and City Officials will participate in a Walk around City Hall in an effort to raise awareness and funds for arts education.