Philadelphia Consortium Projects
Homeless & Transitional Housing
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More Than Just a Camp: Working in Alliance Towards Altruism (WAA)
Student Intern(s):
Amber-Nicole Bird, Drexel University College of Medicine
Awa Jangha, Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Creative Arts in Therapy
Academic Preceptor(s):
Elizabeth Hartzell, PhD, Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Creative Arts in Therapy
Community Preceptor(s):
Tammy Oliver, MHS, Women Against Abuse, Children’s Services
Erin Schmitt, Women Against Abuse, Children’s Services
The Community Site:
Women Against Abuse (WAA), an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, is a residential community that provides living space, meals, case managers and group therapy sessions for women and their children. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Mental Health; Physical Activity; Tobacco Use
Focus Areas: Heart Disease and Stroke; Injury and Violence Prevention; Nutrition and Overweight; Physical Activity and Fitness; Tobacco Use
The Project:
Amber and Awa assisted the Women Against Abuse Academy Shining Stars staff with camp activities. The interns led health-related activities that were educational and hands-on. Some activities consisted of nutrition Pictionary and a memory game, heart-related songwriting and CD design, puppet shows focused on ways to avoid peer pressure, and addressing conflict resolution through the creation of super heroes and comic strips. In addition, the interns helped camp staff with field trips and other health-related activities with the campers, such as creating a restaurant and making healthy snacks. Awa mentioned, “The opportunities to learn about the gaps and needs of this city have also been coupled with the joy of learning about the goodness and unique treasures within Philadelphia. I hope to be part of the interdisciplinary change that opens up more opportunity for joy in areas of need.” Amber noted, “The lessons I have learned over the past few months have taught me more about the complexities of health and the human spirit than I could have ever hoped to learn in school. I only wish this integrated approach to health becomes a theme in all of health care, as I know it will in my future endeavors.”
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American Red Cross House Summer Camp
Student Intern(s):
Daniele Bourget, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
William Mellman, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice
Academic Preceptor(s):
Raina Merchant, MD, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
Jeffrey Draine, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice
Community Preceptor(s):
Yohan Weerasingha, American Red Cross House
Amanda Marlow, American Red Cross House
The Community Site:
The American Red Cross House, located in West Philadelphia, is a short-term housing facility where people who have suffered a disaster receive a full range of support services and an individualized long-term recovery plan. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Environmental Quality; Injury and Violence; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Educational and Community-Based Programs; Environmental Health; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness
The Project:
Daniele and Will developed and facilitated a summer camp for children currently living in the Red Cross House (RCH) as well as for children who have resided in RCH within the past year and have moved to permanent housing. The interns planned a theme for each week’s activities that encouraged healthy lifestyles and addressed topics such as physical health, oral health, environmental health, nutrition, literacy and fire safety. Daniele and Will structured the daily activities around interactive art projects, hands-on scavenger hunts and group discussions. Weekly activities included trips to the public library and community swimming pool, and field trips to various attractions throughout Philadelphia. Daniele stated, “My experience at the Red Cross House has been at times challenging, but overall, incredibly rewarding. Working with the camp has given me a unique perspective on working with children from diverse backgrounds. I will carry this perspective throughout my medical education and practice for it will enrich my rapport with future patients.” Will noted, “The work I have done this summer has opened my eyes to the strength and fortitude of the West Philadelphia and surrounding communities … [it] has helped to put my social work education into perspective and equipped me with additional tools for becoming an effective social worker and community advocate.”
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Getting a Head Start at the People’s Emergency Center: Making Healthy Habits Fun and Enduring
Student Intern(s):
Rachel Haimovich, Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Creative Arts in Therapy
Sophia Kwon, Drexel University, School of Public Health
Laura Novello, Drexel University College of Medicine
Academic Preceptor(s):
Neal Handly, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine
Community Preceptor(s):
Adwoa Tacheampong, People’s Emergency Center
The Community Site:
The People’s Emergency Center (PEC) is a homeless shelter for women and children, located primarily in West Philadelphia. PEC assures that families in need have access to the services, housing, income assistance and education necessary for achieving and maintaining independence. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Injury and Violence; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Heart Disease and Stroke; Injury and Violence Prevention; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness
The Project:
Rachel, Sophia and Laura assisted the PEC staff in implementing the children’s summer camp program. They collaborated with the staff in implementing activities and providing weekly workshops oriented toward healthier lifestyles. Weekly workshops were interactive, and topics included cardiovascular and oral health, proper nutrition and exercise, avoiding violence while promoting self-defense, and discipline. Workshop topics were scheduled in relationship to the field trips planned by the PEC, so that the children could associate healthy habits with fun and maintain their newly learned healthy behaviors beyond the scope of the weekly lessons. Laura noted, “Making the sessions interactive has been a key step in providing the kids with the foundation of a good knowledge of health and well-being to continue into adulthood.” Rachel commented, “The children challenged me to look beyond the obvious, and they continually surprised me with their creativity, imagination, and boundless enthusiasm. This experience has broadened my horizons and helped me develop both as a person and a future professional.” Sophia said, “I am grateful for my learning experiences at the PEC that have enabled me to enjoy being more than just an educator in the children’s lives.”
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Mercy Hospice: Being Healthy, Inside and Out
Student Intern(s):
Kim Stoia, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Aprajita Mattoo, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College
Academic Preceptor(s):
Caryn Johnson, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Community Preceptor(s):
Denise Botcheos, LSW, Mercy Hospice
The Community Site:
Mercy Hospice, located in Center City Philadelphia, provides women who are in recovery and their children with temporary food and housing, comprehensive case management, and a full range of services. Mercy Hospice also provides a soup kitchen that serves lunch to women in need. View Community Partner Web Site
Health People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Overweight and Obesity; Mental Health
Focus Areas: Heart Disease and Stroke; Nutrition and Overweight; Physical Activity and Fitness; Substance Abuse; Mental Health and Mental Disorders
The Project:
Motivated by the residents’ desire to increase their daily level of activity, Kim and Apra designed a summer program that focused on improving the general health and well-being of the Mercy women. In terms of improving the health-related knowledge of the women, weekly interactive group discussions provided an opportunity to discuss relevant health issues. These talks covered topics such as cardiovascular health, stress management and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An educational field trip to the Mütter Museum informed women of medical anomalies and emphasized the importance of lifelong learning. To improve the physical well-being of the residents, the interns ran weekly exercise and yoga classes and organized trips to the pool on a regular basis. Kim said, “I learned a variety of skills that will be very helpful in the future, including leading group meetings, creating information handouts and planning events. The women displayed a great amount of strength.” Apra commented, “The knowledge that I have cultivated through this internship … will certainly be of great use to me in my future medical career. Moreover, not only have I been moved by the courage and strength of the women within the house, but the dedication and commitment of the staff at Mercy has given me a greater appreciation for the kind of work that goes into maintaining recovery programs.”
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Putting the Power in the Hands of the Youth
Student Intern(s):
Lindsay Kaldor, Temple University, School of Medicine
Sara Shoaff, Temple University, College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Academic Preceptor(s):
Moya Kinnealey, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, BCP, Temple University, College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Community Preceptor(s):
Susan Brotherton, MSW, Salvation Army, Red Shield Family Residence
The Community Site:
The Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence, located in North Philadelphia, provides families with case management, shelter and other needed services. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Environmental Quality; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Environmental Health; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness; Tobacco Use
The Project:
Lindsay and Sara created a health promotion program for the children aged 6 to 12 residing at the Red Shield Family Residence. Working in a camp setting, the interns focused on motivating the youth to come to a greater understanding of the role they play in controlling the state of their health. The program covered age-appropriate health issues, including nutrition, physical activity, social wellness and leisure. The youth were also introduced to various behaviors and skills needed for maintaining wellness. Field trips to facilitate the concept of holistic health were another component of the program. Sara noted, “Being able to put yourself aside and concentrate on building stable and caring relationships, helped me gain perspective on how crucial a healthy role model can be.” Lindsay said, “I may never understand the hardships the people have faced or the circumstances they come from … I can begin to appreciate the complexity of situations.”
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Family First: Creating Safe and Healthy Homes for Women and Children
Student Intern(s):
Katherine Haney, Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Creative Arts in Therapy
Adam Rafi Rom, Drexel University College of Medicine
Academic Preceptor(s):
Steven Rosenzweig, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine
Community Preceptor(s):
Aileen Haggerty, Lutheran Settlement House, Jane Addams Place
The Community Site:
Located in West Philadelphia, Lutheran Settlement House’s Jane Addams Place is a comprehensive emergency shelter for mothers with children, where child and family advocates work within a holistic framework to help residents regain and maintain permanent housing and employment. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Injury and Violence; Mental Health
Focus Areas: Educational and Community-Based Programs; Injury and Violence Prevention; Maternal, Infant and Child Health; Nutrition and Overweight; Physical Activity and Fitness
The Project:
At Jane Addams, Katherine and Rafi were able to participate in and lead several regular daytime activities for the mothers and their children. Together, Kate and Rafi assisted in coordinating activities for the children, including swimming, library time and other trips in and around the neighborhood. They also worked with the Jane Addams staff in facilitating SELF (Safety, Emotions, Loss, Future) group discussions with the children. SELF offers a space for children to openly discuss issues of importance to them, such as violence, family and housing. Kate directed a children’s play, “The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig,” and also led a body-and-mind-connection workshop for the mothers. Rafi designed and conducted a health history assessment of the mothers, and helped them plug into the health-care system. He also held trainings on welfare rights and health-care access. With the children, he offered one-on-one reading lessons. Rafi reflected, “Working at Jane Addams fundamentally changed how I plan on approaching health care once I become a physician. This experience has emphasized the importance of treating the family unit instead of the individual. The multidisciplinary, holistic team approach of the staff at Jane Addams is a model of care that I plan on being part of once I finish my studies.” Kate commented, “Professionally and personally speaking, I am changed by my experience at Jane Addams Place … I’ve learned invaluable lessons about what ‘home’ really means … I have been particularly enriched by the challenges and rewards of being aware of how multiple systems affect the outcome of any therapeutic intervention.”
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