From: Ready, Willing & Able

From: Ready, Willing & Able Lee Alman (917.687.6102 or [email protected]) Kathleen Mullin (215.732.3781 or [email protected]) REQUEST FOR COVERAGE

THE “MEN IN BLUE” OF READY WILLING & ABLE RETURN TO AMERICAN STREET EMPOWERMENT ZONE Formerly homeless men to revitalize North Philadelphia Neighborhoods

On June 2, 2010, the American Street Empowerment Zone Community Trust Board, the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce and local businesses and neighborhood organizations will welcome back the “men in blue” of the Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) program to North Philadelphia. Specifically, they will work four days per week to remove litter from 30 blocks of sidewalks along designated commercial areas found within the American Street Empowerment Zone neighborhood, including sections of Girard, Lehigh, Front and Kensington and areas in and around American Street.

Beginning in 2004, Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) provided its community cleaning services to the American Street Empowerment Zone (ASEZ), including sweeping sidewalks, picking up litter, and maintaining vacant lots. RWA also worked in partnership with residents and businesses to distribute information on services and report illegal dumping. The public reported that the mere presence of the “men in blue” offered a sense of ownership and pride in the area

In 2008-2009, this program was funded with a combination of business donations and Empowerment Zone grants but was suspended due to a lack of ongoing funding. Recently, the American Street Empowerment Zone Community Trust Board allocated additional funds to relaunch this successful program

Sidewalk cleaning is part of a set of activities funded by the American Street Empowerment Zone Community Trust Board to increase investment and business activity in the neighborhood. The board has provided funds to clean and green vacant lots, matched business investments in building improvements, provided rent rebates to businesses moving into or expanding within the ASEZ neighborhood, and developed a plan for streetscape improvements that has resulted in recent improvements to Girard Avenue and the Front and Kensington retail area, among other activities.

Once homeless or incarcerated, the “men in blue” of RWA begin in paid transitional jobs that benefit all Philadelphians. At the same time, they receive comprehensive social, educational, occupational, and drug testing services as they work their way toward becoming responsible fathers, taxpayers, and role models in their communities. They graduate from the program upon achieving permanent, full-time employment, independent housing, and lasting sobriety.

WHAT: Kick-off of American Street Empowerment Zone Street Cleaning Initiative WHERE: Finanta, 1301 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA WHEN: Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010, 8:30 AM WHO: Ready, Willing & Able, the American Street Empowerment Zone Community Trust Board, the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce, neighborhood business owners and organizations.