MEDIA ADVISORY: PHILADELPHIA MAYOR JIM KENNEY WANTS TO KEEP YOUTH OUT OF THE DRUG LIFE AND HE’S GOT A PLAN

Contact: Linda Wallace, 215-751-8082, liswallace@ccp.edu
Annette John-Hall, 215-751-8021, anhall@ccp.edu

 

WHO: Mayor Jim Kenney was raised by Irish Catholic parents who taught him to respect everyone, no matter what race, religion or zip code. His upbringing, along with the community service values instilled by the Jesuits at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and LaSalle University, laid the foundation for the 99th Mayor of Philadelphia to ensure opportunity for every Philadelphian, beginning in preschool.“ Children by third grade aren’t reading at grade level. By seventh and eighth grade they are embarrassed they can’t read, and by 10th grade they are out of there. Then they go to the corner, or to the cemetery, or jail,” he said in an interview with Pathways magazine, the college’s workforce development publication. In the article, Kenney details how he intends to fulfill his inauguration day pledge to make every neighborhood the best it can be - by fostering strong commercial corridors and affordable housing, improving amenities such as libraries and recreation centers, and providing young people with real economic opportunities that will keep them out of a life of crime. He calls on the entire city, including the business leaders, to get involved – by mentoring youth, helping out at recreation centers, supporting the Police Athletic League and more. “These young babies, we have to make sure they are educated and sheltered so they don’t end up in the drug life. It is a really hard job. I can’t do it by myself, that’s for sure.”

Pathways magazine explores ways the College will help advance Kenney’s agenda, by implementing programs that boost entrepreneurism in working-class neighborhoods and expanding early childhood education.

WHEN: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Mayor Kenney will be the keynote speaker.

WHERE: Center for Business and Industry, Room C2-5, Community College of Philadelphia. The Center for Business and Industry is located at the corner of 18th and Callowhill streets.