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TV’s aren’t playing in the background and no smartphones or tablets are in sight. Practically unheard of these days, families are sitting around the table, enjoying dinner together, and learning about what’s going on at their child’s school and afterschool program.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Ms. Janet moved to Feltonville 30 years ago and has worked for the Philadelphia School District for 24. 

“There’s a whole lot of things to do here. There’s lacrosse club, basketball club, dance club, football club … and we do all those things. I’m the best defense in football!” he exclaimed.

On April 5th, ECS staff members Victoria Bennett, chief inclusion and advocacy officer, Caroline Dunleavy, director of strategy management,  and others attended the Father Friendly Flagship Agency (3FA) Commencement Exercise at The Free Library of Philadelphia.

When you’re young and looking for your first job, that help could be asking a friend to put in a good word if their employer is hiring. 

When you first meet Victoria and Dhameer, you’d think you were among longtime friends, but, in fact, they just met today.

That’s one of the draws of our Seeing Youth Succeed (SYS) program – peer-to-peer support and immediate friendships. Both teens are extremely bright and share ambitious dreams.

He first heard about The RISE Initiative through his brother-in-law who had participated in Seeing Youth Succeed (SYS). “I saw it as an opportunity to find employment, make a better resume, and [have] more effective interviews,” he said.

Today, Chase is an OST intern, spending much of his time assisting the staff with “whatever they need help with that day,” as he puts it.