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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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, started as an anti-graffiti program in 1984 and has grown to be an international leader in producing community-based public art. 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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

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