Working in coalition means planning ahead for how we will show up for each other.
–Dr. Mindy Fullilove

In 2021, Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, Friends of Mifflin Square Park, Karen Community of Philadelphia, Garces Foundation, SEAMAAC, and Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance worked with residents, Registered Community Organizations, and government agencies to create Our Plan for Our Neighborhood: Community Plan for South East Philadelphia between 4th and 9th Streets, Mifflin Street to Oregon Avenue.

Our Coalition uses this plan to (1) keep organizations coordinated, (2) inform and organize residents, (3) show government, investors, new residents and others what we want; and (4) Attract funding and support.

Together we have already:

• Distributed 7500 brochures about the planning process & how to get connected in 6 languages door to door, mailed to all block captains, and through libraries
• Created a 20 minute video neighborhood plan conversation starter in English, Spanish & Khmer
• Organized 6 Neighborhood Conversations hosted by individual organizations for residents and published the discussion notes
• Conducted 6 multi–hour conversations among ourselves & the wider Organizational Steering Committee of RCOs and government agencies
• Completed a resident satisfaction survey with nearly 400 residents

We’re close to completing our planning process for now, and want to get all residents and groups aware and involved! Here’s how you can help get that done:

1. Pick up and share a neighborhood newspaper!

This 24–page newspaper includes information and neighborhood goals for all areas of the community plan in English, Spanish, Khmer, Burmese, Nepali, and Chinese.

Find copies of Our Plan for Our Neighborhood newspaper at your favorite South 7th Street business, or request a copy by email or calling (267) 536 9846. You can also see and download a digital version.

2. Read the Community Plan booklet & watch a presentation by coalition groups

The neighborhood plan booklet includes even more detail than the neighborhood newspaper on our analysis of existing conditions, notes from Neighborhood Conversations, and our coalition’s future goals.

Watch a Neighborhood Plan Update originally broadcast on July 19, 2022 from community organizations including Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, Friends of Mifflin Square Park, Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance, and SEAMAAC.

The Park and Neighborhood Cleanup scheduled for 7/7/2021 has been CANCELLED. Please join us on August 4th at 9:30am in Mifflin Square for our next park and neighborhood cleanup!

Come check out the launch of the new Whitman Lending Library at 2412 S 4th St. from 10am-Noon on June 12th!

Come out to Mifflin Square on June 20th from 5pm-7pm to celebrate all that refugees bring to our neighborhood!

Come and join neighbors on Wednesday, May 12th (and each First Wednesday thereafter) at 9:30am to keep Mifflin Square and South 7th Street clean!

The City of Philadelphia has released a new update on the reopening of parks. You can see details of this reopening here. See below for some specific updates from our friends at Parks and Rec.

• Parks and trails remain open, athletic fields are now open for exercise.
• Starting July 6, Parks & Rec will take permit applications for use of baseball and athletics fields.  Games and spectators are not allowed.
• Playgrounds are open for children and household use.
• Parks & Rec’s sprinklers and spraygrounds are open to the public.
• All outdoor athletics courts open as of July 3rd. The hoops that were removed from basketball courts will be reinstalled at 150 sites across the city. Work will be done in an equitable manner.

With the sprayground allowed to reopen, Parks and Rec staff along with the Friends of Mifflin Square and SEAMAAC will work to turn on the sprayground as often as is possible.

As the park becomes more lively and active, it’s important that we all wear a mask and keep working to stop the spread of COVID-19. When visiting Mifflin Square, keep in mind this advice!