Achieveability

Achieveability connects: since 2006, this program has connected west philadelphia families to the following basic needs and services: public benefits connection; emergency financial assistance; tax preparation services; financial education; digital access and literacy trainings; and civic engagement opportunities. This program also focuses on improving neighborhood conditions by providing technical assistance to 60th street commercial corridor businesses and supporting local civic groups, cleaning, safety and beautification projects, and health and wellness programs. In fy22, achieveability connects served 2,809 individuals with 400 receiving free tax preparation services; 223 connecting to and enrolling in public income supports; and 155 receiving emergency financial assistance. We launched the 60th street strong coalition as an extension of acha connects in june 2022. Harnessing the power of neighbors and the expertise of small business owners, this anti-violence initiative provides employment, training and mentorship opportunities for at-risk black youth to reduce and prevent gun violence as well as driving solutions that create a safer community. Overall goals of acha connects: lead equitable and inclusive economic development activities in the haddington and cobbs creek neighborhoods to create economically vibrant and thriving communities deepen the continuum of anti-poverty services and civic engagement opportunities for residents to meet their immediate and long-term needs and to strengthen the community promote a safe and beautiful neighborhood by eliminating and preventing blight, and supporting 60th street commercial corridor businesses to make it a destination to live, learn, work, play, and shop

Worksmart west philly: launched in 2014, this program partners with jobseekers to expand their employment-focused economic opportunities and increase their employability through job readiness and soft-skills trainings, employer cultivation, employment connections, and job retention coaching. In fy22, 147 jobseekers developed resumes; 98 participated in workshops; and 40 were connected to employment. This past year, we implemented our first cohort of tech up, an innovative project that connects low-income, un/underemployment individuals to salesforce administration experts and training to earn a certificate in this platform and access sustainable, living-wage careers in the business technology sector. Overall goals of wswp: connect jobseekers to living-wage employment opportunities increase financial stability for individuals reduce the poverty rate in our service areathrough this program, we have launched two crucial interventions: techup, and the 60th street strong coalition.tech up: in summer 2021 we launched techup, an initiative of achieveability's worksmart west philly program which seeks to disrupt the cycle of dead-end jobs for marginalized communities by providing technical training and placing black, low-wage workers in living-wage, high-growth careers.60th street strong coalition: in june 2022, we launched an anti-violence program aimed at reducing and preventing gun violence in west philadelphia by providing youth that are commonly drawn to these activities with opportunities to receive gainful employment, skills, and mentorship. The 60th street strong coalition has four components: 1. Employment and training: paid job training ($15/hr) for young adults (16-24 years old) with local businesses for 3 6 months, 20 hours per week paired with professional development, soft-skill training and permanent job placement. 2. Wraparound services: support services for young adults to address trauma, housing, education, transportation, grooming, childcare, financial stability and conflict resolution. 3. Mentorship: coaching for young adults from business owners and other professionals to support long-term growth. Participants are connected to mentors with lived experience with gun violence, including some of the 60th st. Strong coalition's business owners. 4. Safe streets events: monthly engagement activities driven by young adults to open lines of communication with residents, connect with at-risk young adults, and foster community cohesion and ownership of 60th street and surrounding residential area.

Mission first community resident services: achievability oversees and coordinates access to services for residents of mfhg's mid-atlantic affordable housing portfolio. It does this by coordinating with mfhg's resident services teams, or through service coordination and delivery by its own community and family self-sufficiency program team.vax up, west philly!: we received funding from the cdc foundation and the philanthropy network of greater philadelphia's covid-19 prevention & response fund to address vaccine hesitancy in west philadelphia. For the past year, in partnership with other community and faith-based organizations, we have trained residents to be vaccine ambassadors to help educate neighbors about the benefits of the vaccine and to address concerns and misinformation regarding the vaccine. Through this collaboration, we host vaccine clinics and educational events aimed at keeping west philadelphians healthy and safe. Public space improvement: in order to increase access to healthy outdoor environments, achieveability has a number of public space improvement initiatives in the works. We are installing a free, outdoor community playspace on market street to encourage opportunities for youth to engage with peers and improve both their physical and mental health and greening initiatives.we are also planting 300 trees in our community over the next three years. Our neighborhood is 4 degrees hotter on average than other parts of the city, due largely to the lack of trees. Trees provide shade canopy, improve air quality, enhance the physical space and are intended to reduce stress and anxiety to promote health and wellbeing in our neighborhood. Finally, we installed a community garden on the corner of arch and 60th streets that is open to the public. To date we have planted root vegetables and greens including carrots, cabbage, kale, and more.