University City District Blog

University City District is hiring for two new leadership positions to advance our work of investing in place and investing in people in one of the most economically dynamic communities in the country. We are seeking a Vice-President of Strategic Advancement and a Human Resources Director to join our dynamic team. Read more about each position below, and please share with your networks to help us find top candidates. We are proud to partner with DiverseForce on this search. 

On Thursday, September 15th, West Philadelphia’s Baltimore Avenue will transform into a shopper’s dream during the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll. From 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, visitors are invited to stroll up and down Baltimore Avenue between 40^th and 51^st Streets for one-night-only $1, $3, and $5 deals on food, drinks, merchandise, and more from local businesses and neighborhood vendors.

The labor market of the past 30 months has been more varied than any other time in recent memory. Unemployment rates swung from record lows to record highs in weeks, and then quickly fell back. Some industries that were well prepared to adjust to the pandemic economy have thrived, while others have struggled with labor shortages and supply chain issues. In recent months, inflation concerns, along with the stubborn continuation of COVID-19, have continued to weigh on the minds of economists and employers.

The Porch at 30th Street is alive with performances, pop-ups, and of course, food trucks! We're excited to share details on August food trucks, pop-ups, and performances below. We hope to see you at The Porch!  

AUGUST 2022 FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE

We are thrilled to announce that our West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) has been selected by The Pew Charitable Trusts as the recipient of a $3.5 million growth grant through the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services (Pew Fund). This 5-year grant is among the largest in our workforce program’s history and will provide significant support for continued impact in the region.

We are excited to share that we have received a $200,000 grant over two years from the Chappell Culpeper Foundation to support our West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI). This investment will specifically support WPSI’s alumni services and continuing education for Skills Initiative graduates, two crucial elements of our program that allow us to stay connected to participants after graduation and offer continued guidance, resources, and opportunities through their career journeys.

With summer rapidly approaching, students are heading home for a few months' break, and many of us who work in University City offices are settling into new hybrid work schedules. This has an impact on how we get around the neighborhood, so this month we are revisiting our transit recovery statistics. 

We are happy to announce a new member of the leadership team at Green City Works (GCW), our landscaping social impact subsidiary. Alvin Rios has joined GCW as our Landscape Operations Manager, bringing twenty years of experience ranging from landscape design to working for irrigation startups to building relationships with big brands including Urban Outfitters.

SEPTA is continuing their excavation and renewal work to trolley tracks on 40th Street and the curve at 42nd and Spruce that will impact travel and parking throughout the summer. At the project's end, trolley riders and vehicles traveling along 40th Street will enjoy smoother streets, refreshed line painting, and improved track components.