Building Meaningful Relationships
The PHLCVB actively builds community relationships between meeting planners, convention leaders and local groups who share a culture and ideals and can help design packages and programs that align your meeting’s values with a local organization or specific cause.
Community Engagement Opportunities
Bebashi Transition to Hope
Organizational Focus: Health
Group Volunteer Activity: Food and toiletry drives
Founded in 1985, Bebashi Transition to Hope was created as a full-service HIV/AIDS organization to serve low-income people of color with HIV disease – the first African American organization in the United States to address the AIDS crisis. One of Philadelphia’s largest community-based minority providers of HIV/AIDS education, healthcare and services, Bebashi operates schools and community pantries which serve students and their families.
On February 11, the Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution to recognize February 7 as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and to honor the work of #Bebashi.
— Bebashi (@bebashi) March 12, 2021
Thank you @cindybassphilly for introducing the resolution and supporting the Bebashi mission. pic.twitter.com/AOAH0gJrh9
Mighty Writers
Organizational Focus: Literacy, mentoring, community resources
Group Volunteer Activity: Benefits, food distribution
Since 2009, Mighty Writers has been teaching kids to think and write with clarity. The non-profit’s literacy programs reach over 3,000 kids of all ages each year, throughout Philadelphia and beyond. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mighty Writers has also been distributing meals, groceries, and other essential materials to families in local communities.
Mural Arts Philadelphia
Organizational Focus: Public art, art, art education, restorative justice
Group Volunteer Activity: Group paint sessions
The nation’s largest public art program, Mural Arts Philadelphia, has created over 4,000 artworks since the initiative began in 1984. The mural-making process involves repurposing public spaces and creating dialogue and empowerment in the city’s neighborhoods. About 50-100 new projects are commissioned each year, earning Philadelphia the title, “City of Murals.” Mural Arts Philadelphia’s programming focuses on public art and its preservation, youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, hosting symposiums, workshops and community paint days and dedications.
We’re at 11th and Sansom Streets for the dedication of @EricOkdeh’s new mural, “The Promise of Biotechnology” — a collaboration between @MuralArts and @CSLBehring ahead of the start of @BIOConvention.
— discoverPHL (@discoverPHL) June 2, 2019
More info: https://t.co/uV43evgcvc#discoverPHL #BIO2019 @IAmBiotech pic.twitter.com/lm0ypfKiDN
Staff of CSL Behring in King of Prussia and art education students participated in painting Eric Okdeh’s The Promise of Biotechnology, sponsored by CSL Behring. The mural dedication kicked off the BIO International Convention held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, June 2019.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Organizational Focus: Environment
Group Volunteer Activity: Creating community gardens, planting trees
Founded in 1827, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has been harnessing the power of horticulture to connect residents with gardening and to create healthy, sustainable communities with increased access to fresh food. With community gardens, trees, vacant land management, and green stormwater infrastructure, PHS builds gardens, landscapes, and farms in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, tailored to specific community needs. The organization also hosts shows and events, including the Philadelphia Flower Show, the two century-old annual tradition and very first public flower show in America. Group volunteer opportunities are available.
Philabundance
Organizational Focus: Fighting against hunger
Group Volunteer Activity: Packing and sorting food in a warehouse, preparing fresh meals, supporting food distribution efforts, organizing a food and fund drive
Philabundance works to end hunger in the Philadelphia area by serving a network of 350 partners, including churches, hospitals, schools, libraries, and other providers. Founded in 1984, the organization distributes millions of pounds of food each year and gives over 100,000 fresh nutritious meals to children during the summer months. In addition, the Philabundance Community Kitchen provides free culinary training and life skills for low-income adults.
SEAMAAC
Organizational Focus: Education, health and social services, community development, hunger relief
Group Volunteer Activity: Food distribution, mentoring youth, community clean ups, urban garden projects
SEAMAAC was established in 1984 by a group of Southeast Asian organizations as the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition. The mission of SEAMAAC has evolved and broadened over the years “to support and serve immigrants and refugees and other politically, socially and economically marginalized communities as they seek to advance the condition of their lives in the United States.” SEAMAAC’s core programs include education, health and social services, community development, and, most recently, a hunger relief program addressing food insecurity that has been heightened by the pandemic. Initiatives include job readiness and local employer workshops, the redevelopment of Mifflin Square Park, the SoPhiE Food Truck chef incubator and engagement project, Growing Home community gardens utilized by immigrants and refugees in the community, and an award-winning Hip Hop Heritage after school program.
Urban Creators
Organizational Focus: Environment
Group Volunteer Activity: Service-Learning group projects, venue rental
The grassroots nonprofit Urban Creators started in 2010 by Temple University students as a safe space for young residents of the North Philadelphia neighborhood. The group transformed a two-acre plot of vacant land into a farm, art, and education space, Life Do Grow, offering volunteer opportunities. The urban sanctuary has a dynamic outdoor venue space complete with fire pit, kitchen, bar, sound system, stage and more.
