community description: roxborough
Roxborough is a working-class community situated in Northwest Philadelphia County. It borders the artsy and vibrant Manayunk, the historic East Falls neighborhood and is just across the Wissahickon Creek from Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy and Germantown. The boundaries of the community have been defined by the City of Philadelphia and can be seen on the map in red. Approximately 35,000 citizens reside within the 5.7 square miles that define its borders. A generation of citizens whose roots were established decades ago remain here to watch their children and grandchildren grow. The population is mostly white but there are also black, asian, hispanic and multi-racial populations, though much smaller than the white population. There is a blend of ancestries present in Roxborough: 25.2% of residents identify their ethnicity or ancestry as Irish, 21.8% identify as Italian, 12.9% as German, 6.3% as Polish, 3.5% as Asian and 1.9% identify their Yugoslav ancestry. English is the predominant language spoken in this community and Italian is the second most frequently spoken language (About Roxborough).
A considerable portion of the population, nearly 30%, have less than a high school education. The rest of the population has at least reached high school equivalency or has continued to higher education: 11.5% have only reached high school (or equivalent), 6.2% have less than 1 year of college education, 10.1% have more than 1 year of college, 5.3% have attained an Associate degree, 20% have attained a Bachelor's degree, 10% have attained a Masters's degree, 4% have attained a Professional school degree, 2.7% hold a Doctorate degree (Roxborough Neighborhood, n.d.). The presence of Catholic and Protestant followers is equally strong in the community. Old, stone churches dot the map of Roxborough. Also present is one synagogue that serves the small Jewish population that resides here. The median age for women in Roxborough is 39.2 year old, and the median age for men is 37.2 years of age. Another notable characteristic, "in a nation where 1 out of every 4 children lives in poverty, the Roxborough neighborhood stands out as being ranked among the lowest 0.1% of neighborhoods affected by this global issue" (About Roxborough).
A considerable portion of the population, nearly 30%, have less than a high school education. The rest of the population has at least reached high school equivalency or has continued to higher education: 11.5% have only reached high school (or equivalent), 6.2% have less than 1 year of college education, 10.1% have more than 1 year of college, 5.3% have attained an Associate degree, 20% have attained a Bachelor's degree, 10% have attained a Masters's degree, 4% have attained a Professional school degree, 2.7% hold a Doctorate degree (Roxborough Neighborhood, n.d.). The presence of Catholic and Protestant followers is equally strong in the community. Old, stone churches dot the map of Roxborough. Also present is one synagogue that serves the small Jewish population that resides here. The median age for women in Roxborough is 39.2 year old, and the median age for men is 37.2 years of age. Another notable characteristic, "in a nation where 1 out of every 4 children lives in poverty, the Roxborough neighborhood stands out as being ranked among the lowest 0.1% of neighborhoods affected by this global issue" (About Roxborough).
Community developers build from the strengths identified in a community for meaningful and effective transformation. The following chart lists some of the assets within my community of Roxborough as related to the protection and well-being of children. The assets listed within the circle are present within Roxborough. The assets listed outside of the circle are identified assets that exist in neighboring communities. An "asset map" of Roxborough illustrates how these assets are spread out geographically in the community. There are presently four key assets that I identify as being of great value: an organization called Friends of Gorgas Park, and Roxborough's local schools, religious organizations and local culture-makers. In planning a community project for the benefit of Roxborough's children, these institutions and people will help to strengthen efforts for community transformation. A community is enriched by: individuals who offer time and skills, relationships that nurture a strong social fabric, local institutions and places that add to the unique of community setting, physical resources that define the community's geography, economic resources that exist to support the health of the local business market, and cultural resources that define the "long-term customs, behaviors, and activities that have meaning to individuals and to the community" (Best Practice Briefs, 1998, p.3).
I surveyed adult Roxborough residents to gain understanding about the attitudes people have towards the community. Participants had positive comments about living in Roxborough such as walkability, local eateries, Gorgas Park, the tight-knit quality of some of the neighborhoods as notable highlights of the community. The survey results also highlighted the needs of Roxborough. After conducting both a listening project and needs assessment survey, I better understand the social difficulties and protection issues children of my community face. From the perspectives shared by my interviewees, who were Roxborough residents, the primary negative issue raised concerning the children of Roxborough was the "terrible" local high school, and the public school situation in general. Two issues of lesser concern were the lack of police enforcement in the area and the scores of empty storefronts that line the main business strip. Recommendations for ways to make our community safer for children included adding extra police presence, strengthening civic pride, and increasing youth groups and after-school clubs/programs.
After personally envisioning how Roxborough could look transformed, and after listening to the voices of the community residents, I decided to look deeper into the causes of the biggest problem that affects children: the under-performing schools. The biggest cause of the problem of underperforming public schools in Roxborough is that it is a part of the greater Philadelphia public school system. This institution is known for its dysfunctions, corruption and lack of resources (e.g. money, leadership). It is a complex institution with myriad problems and can easily be the thick trunk of its own problem tree. Another root problem for the underperforming schools in Roxborough is that parents have lost faith in the public school system. They feel a deep mistrust of leadership within the institution and feel overwhelmed by the politics that surround the issue of public schools in Philadelphia. Another root cause of the poor local school situation is that there have been cuts in funding and teacher support in areas such as the arts and extra-curricular activities.
In order to make this a positive tree, the soil would have to be rich with support from the local and Philadelphia communities. Proper attention, funding, and staff support are needed to address the fundamental issues that prevent the schools from being institutions that offer exciting learning opportunities and activities that build character, foster creativity and offer social support to developing youth. The effects of this endeavor would create resilient children who have a strong character foundation, a solid knowledge base, problem-solving skills, a hunger for learning and a desire to use their talents to better their communities. Although I personally cannot solve the greater issue of the struggling local and greater-Philadelphia School System, I have proposed an idea for a project involving a project that meets the needs not currently being met fully at their local public school. This project will take place outside of school grounds in the neighboring public park.
Roxborough residents have made it clear that an issue of concern was the need for more free, outdoor activities for children to keep them physically active and creatively stimulated. The project that I am proposing will meet these immediate needs; Gorgas Garden will revive the abandoned community garden in Gorgas Park, Roxborough's unofficial community center. This project aims to involve children from Roxborough (elementary age up to high schoolers) of all abilities and genders as "gardeners." Adult volunteers, including responsible young adults, would be project leaders who oversee the work of the young gardeners. Available assets such as local gardeners, horticulture enthusiasts, staff and volunteers from the Schuylkill Valley Nature Center and the Weavers Way Co-op farm at W. B. Saul Agricultural High School (both located in Roxborough) would contribute to the planning, execution and sustainability of Gorgas Garden. Surveyed residents showed initial support and interest in involving children of Roxborough in maintaining the community garden in Gorgas Park. Participants of all ages would have a physical, hands-on learning experience in nature, would learn land stewardship and teamwork, and the value and beauty of Gorgas Park would be enhanced for all community members.
Roxborough residents have made it clear that an issue of concern was the need for more free, outdoor activities for children to keep them physically active and creatively stimulated. The project that I am proposing will meet these immediate needs; Gorgas Garden will revive the abandoned community garden in Gorgas Park, Roxborough's unofficial community center. This project aims to involve children from Roxborough (elementary age up to high schoolers) of all abilities and genders as "gardeners." Adult volunteers, including responsible young adults, would be project leaders who oversee the work of the young gardeners. Available assets such as local gardeners, horticulture enthusiasts, staff and volunteers from the Schuylkill Valley Nature Center and the Weavers Way Co-op farm at W. B. Saul Agricultural High School (both located in Roxborough) would contribute to the planning, execution and sustainability of Gorgas Garden. Surveyed residents showed initial support and interest in involving children of Roxborough in maintaining the community garden in Gorgas Park. Participants of all ages would have a physical, hands-on learning experience in nature, would learn land stewardship and teamwork, and the value and beauty of Gorgas Park would be enhanced for all community members.
REFERENCES
Best Practice Briefs, No. 4. (1999). Outreach Partners. Michigan State University. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://outreach.msu.edu/bpbriefs/issues/brief4.pdf
Philadelphia, PA (Roxborough). (n.d.). Neighborhood Scout. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/pa/philadelphia/roxborough/#desc
Roxborough neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (n.d.). City-Data. Retrieved June 10, 2014, from http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Roxborough-Philadelphia-PA.html
Best Practice Briefs, No. 4. (1999). Outreach Partners. Michigan State University. Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://outreach.msu.edu/bpbriefs/issues/brief4.pdf
Philadelphia, PA (Roxborough). (n.d.). Neighborhood Scout. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/pa/philadelphia/roxborough/#desc
Roxborough neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (n.d.). City-Data. Retrieved June 10, 2014, from http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Roxborough-Philadelphia-PA.html