🌞 SWAT Camp: Week 3 Highlights
Our Southwest Arts & Technology (SWAT) Camp is in full swing with 30 campers bringing boundless energy to 58th & Chester!
- Lights, Camera, Superheroes!
Armed with cardboard, markers, iPads, and iMovie, campers wrote, filmed, and edited their own super-hero movie trailers. We’ve posted the videos here—take a look and tell us which trailer steals your heart (honestly, they’re all Oscar-worthy). - Adventure at John Heinz Wildlife Refuge
From spotting herons to hitting bullseyes at the archery range, kids explored how caring for the environment ripples back into our neighborhood. - Digging into Soil Health
Garden Manager Cam turned compost into a hands-on science lesson, showing why healthy soil equals healthy communities.
💚 Close the Gap: Double Your Impact by July 31
A circle of generous friends has seeded a $17,000 matching fund to keep SWAT Camp free and thriving.
Our summer goal: $30,000. Every dollar you give is matched—that’s twice the art supplies, twice the field-trip magic, twice the joy for our campers.
Give today and watch your gift multiply: [Donate Here]
(If you’ve already contributed, thank you! Sharing this campaign is another great way to help.)
🌱 Bunny’s Garden Update
- ≈ 250 lbs of fresh produce harvested so far this season!
- Volunteers at our 58th Street Garden have been busy weeding and erecting new trellises.
- Help wanted at the 70th & Buist site as we bring in cabbage, onions, and a waterfall of tomatoes. Grab gloves and join us—no green thumb required!
🤝 Connelly Foundation Connection
Operations Director Gene Burke and Garden Coordinator Cameron Cephas recently met with the Connelly Foundation—long-time supporters of TCP—to discuss our basic-needs programs. We’ve been invited to apply for a multi-year grant. Stay tuned for news on how this could deepen food sovereignty work in Southwest Philly.
🥲 Farewell, Buff & James Barnes
After years of faithful volunteering—and countless hours cheering on our mission—Buff and James are heading to Maine for a new adventure. We’ll miss their steady presence, warm smiles, and legendary insights. Join us in wishing the Barnes family abundant blessings in their next chapter!
📬 Update Your Contact Info
We love staying in touch and keeping you in the loop on everything happening at TCP. Please visit our website to confirm or update your contact details—that way you’ll never miss an event, volunteer opportunity, or feel-good story.
🎉 Save the Date: TCP Homecoming on the Main Line
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 18, 2025 (2 – 5 PM) at Main Line Art Center. Expect live music, art activities, tasty bites, and exciting updates on what’s next for TCP. Formal invitation coming soon—pencil us in!
Thank you for nurturing dreams—from garden beds to film sets. Together we’re building a Southwest Philadelphia where every child and family can flourish.
With gratitude,
The Common Place Team
Questions? Want to volunteer? Reply to this email or call us at 267-275-8238. Connect with us on social @TCPPhilly.
