Stand with Penn to Flatten the Hate and support our community members who face bias, discrimination, violence and abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the website to report hate and bias incidents, engage in community discussion events, and learn how to prevent and respond to anti-Asian behavior. Interested students are invited to join an upcoming meeting of the Task Force. Please reach out to Scott Moore ([email protected] ) and Peter Van Do ([email protected] ) with suggestions and nominations.
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The Office of Social Equity & Community is now accepting applications for its newly created internship program designed for a small group of Penn undergraduates. These students will work closely with the Directors of the office to design and oversee initiatives that promote and support communication, collaboration, and research within the Penn community. Together they will seek to advance the University’s mission of fostering social equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Each intern will have two primary areas of responsibility. First, they with seek to integrate the values of the Office with their own specific area of study or research, bringing their own gifts and interests to bear on a particular aspect of social equity and community. In this, they will seek to answer the question, “How can I uniquely address the evident inequalities at Penn and in greater Philadelphia?” Additionally, each intern will participate in the ongoing and officially established initiatives of the Office. Opportunities may include but are not limited to story gathering, writing, event planning/staffing, and research. They will have opportunities to work both individually and collaboratively, to participate in a learning community, and receive coaching and mentorship. Participants will have a strong voice in the shaping of the internship’s format, trajectory, values, and goals. Additionally, each student will receive a stipend for participating. We in the Office of Social Equity & Community are eager for student involvement as we initiate hard conversations related to inequities and imbalances in order to encourage others toward restorative change for the betterment of Penn, its neighbors, and the world. For more information or a copy of the application, please contact Scott Filkin. Scott Filkin Director, Office of Social Equity & Community [email protected] As we face a global pandemic, deepening economic crisis and the spectre of state authoritarianism haunting countries across the globe, we take courage from the many student movements that are at the forefront of demands for democratic change. The new wave of student activism and youth-led movements represent radical visions for racial and gender justice, and are linked to struggles of workers, indigenous peoples’ and other marginalized communities. As these movements face state repression in response to nonviolent protests, the need to strengthen solidarity across borders is all the more urgent.
At this critical juncture, this tricontinental webinar brings together student leaders and educators from Chile, Pakistan and South Africa for a conversation on the lessons learnt from organizing for educational justice. All three countries have been sites of historic student activism in the pre-pandemic period that have continued to organize in the midst of the pandemic in a fresh and renewed manner. What is the nature of student politics today? How are struggles in higher education connected to broader social movements and issues? What are the issues and demands of the movements in Chile, Pakistan and South Africa? How are these movements in higher education organizing amidst the challenges of the global pandemic? The panelists will address these and other questions followed by a moderated discussion. EVENT DETAILS ON FACEBOOK *Music contains a sample of "No More Beat" courteous of Talon Bazille Ducheneaux, Penn Class of 2015.
Get to know us before the FGLI Cafe! We look forward to getting to know you!Gather is a game-changer. Gather is an innovative concept, offering a variety of delicious meals at affordable prices from diverse vendors. In the midst of COVID-19, Gather’s open air environment and sensory garden is a fun way to get fresh air, find socially-distanced community and connectivity, as well as food that’s better than what you can make in a time crunch. Gather helps students get good meals. Every meal at Gather is affordable, but if you can’t afford to eat, we got you. If you can, you have the option to honor those who can’t via our contactless, honor-based payment model. No judgment, no weird vibes. In fact, we’ll spot five bucks to any student who needs it, using that same system. All you need is a student ID at pickup. Gather brings new business to emerging food entrepreneurs. Every year, Philadelphia welcomes thousands of new college students into its midst, many of whom are looking for fun, cool new experiences. Gather prioritizes vendors who are newer in the scene, helping them develop relationships with potential return customers. Food insecurity isn’t shameful. In fact, food insecurity is common and incredibly normal in our society. How many times have you heard of college students living on ramen noodles and peanut butter? Research shows that nearly half of college (48%) and university students (41%) students have struggled to pay for food. It’s time to change that. Gather is here for you during COVID-19. The onset of COVID-19 has left many students and emerging restaurants in a lurch. Gather provides support to students and food entrepreneurs who have been destabilized by campus closings, lay-offs, and shutdowns. Gather meets you where you are. Our community provides out-of-the-box digital programming that considers how people really live. Examples: “Healthy recipes with convenience store recipes,” “Color therapy that speaks to health,” and “Eating for the 5 senses.” Logistics. Gather will be open from October 23 to November 20. Lunch is served from 10AM to 3PM. Dinner is from 4PM - 6PM. Located in Philadelphia’s Spring Arts district, find Gather at the 1000 block of Nectarine Street (behind Union Transfer), not far from Temple University and Community College of Philadelphia. Gather is fully outdoors and designed for speedy, contactless service. Limited seating is available, in accordance with social distancing measures. To limit the spread of COVID-19, Gather will not have a customer restroom. LITTLE GIANT CREATIVE & BELIEVE IN STUDENTS LAUNCH GATHER FOOD HALL, A NEW INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS STUDENT HUNGER IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19
Philadelphia, PA — Little Giant Creative, and local nonprofit, Believe In Students, are proud to announce Gather, a new pop-up food hall concept located at the 1000 block of Nectarine Street just off Spring Garden (behind Union Transfer). Gather Food Hall is an open, outdoor space offering grab-and-go style meals from emerging local food entrepreneurs for $10 or less. Serving the community at large and college students in particular, the initiative seeks to combat food insecurity among college students with a shame-free pay-what-you-can model, where full-priced meals help pay for free meals for those who need it. Gather will be open Monday thru Saturday, observing social distance measures, from October 23 to November 20. COVID-19 has critically changed the paradigms of food service, food access, and small business ownership. Students in particular have experienced the dire effects of this pandemic, especially those who rely on meal plans, cafeterias, and money from service jobs. Many newly-established restaurants in Philadelphia are also struggling to find their footing. Little Giant Creative developed Gather Food Hall as a way to mitigate student hunger while also creating opportunities for new vendors in the Philly food scene. To ensure students can enjoy a complete meal on a budget, Gather is implementing a tiered pricing system in which each meal is $5, $7, or $10. College students who need further assistance can use Gather’s honor-based, self-pay kiosk system to discreetly take an additional $5 off of any meal with a student ID. Yes, that means $5 meals can be free for them. Anyone who comes to Gather can use the same system to “pay it forward” and donate toward student meals if they choose. Gather will feature delicious bites from Z’s Kitchen Indonesian Baked Goods, The Little Sicilian, Philly’s Finest Sambonis, and much more. “COVID-19 has exposed major vulnerabilities among our students and small businesses,” says Meegan Denenberg, Co-Founder of Little Giant Creative. “We concepted this project before the pandemic as an indoor space for students to hang out, study, and enjoy affordable, nutritious food. Instead of postponing Gather indefinitely, we realized that we had an opportunity and responsibility to meet students needs.” Gather has pivoted to a fully outdoor model with takeaway style meals and digital events, ensuring that everyone who Gathers can Gather safely. Gather is not just a place where students and the larger community can find healthy, eclectic food. The food hall will also host a series of digital events with subjects ranging from “How to make a meal with convenience store items” to “Food for the five senses.” Finally, Gather will be nestled in a simplified sensory garden, full of plants and herbs to be used by vendors, sold to customers, or simply enjoyed for the fresh air. Gather is currently accepting donations as it sets sights on expanding the initiative. “We’re envisioning Gather as a national initiative,” says Richard Binswanger, Board Chair of Believe in Students.“Food insecurity isn’t just a local issue, and neither is economic hardship for new food entrepreneurs. This kind of lifestyle-driven, empathy-forward thinking can be a catalyst for real change across the country.” Donations can be sent via this link: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/believe-in-students-inc/gather-food-hall Gather Food Hall opens October 23rd. Masks and social distancing required. To learn more about Gather, visit gatherfoodhall.com or follow Gather on social media at @gather_phl. Organizations interested in partnering can reach out to [email protected]. FGLIQ and Penn FLASH Presents: Connecting with Queers in Careers Join us for a live discussion with FGLI Queer alums and students. Hear about their experience at Penn with these intersecting identities, ask about how to navigate professional circles and graduate schools as a queer person, and connect with other students and alumni for future questions and support! Undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni are welcome to join our conversation about networking and professionalism as a queer, FGLI person. Students and alumni welcomed! Friday, October 9, 2020 12 – 1 PM ET Link to join event will be shared upon registration. Event Partners:
FGLIQ The FGLI Program Penn First Plus Alumni PennGALA - LGBTQ Alumni Lambda Grads Questions? Please reach out to Lisette Garza at [email protected] Written by Brandy Pineda, GIC Student Assistant College is hard for everyone, but if you're the first in your family to figure out how to do it then it can get scarier. The FGLI community is where I found support when I was a freshman but also as an upperclassmen. And there are so many different groups within the community that you'll be sure to find some friends, mentors, resources, or tips on navigating Penn, where to study, the group chats, the FGLI college experience, or even what to do in Philly. I've found the FGLI community to be varying and expansive, but also helpful, welcoming, and real.
Come learn about the intersections between the FGLI (or FGLI adjacent) identity and your interests - whether professional, personal, cultural, educational, or social. If it doesn't exist - you can start it! Find spaces full of people who are both similar and different from you - it'll be fun! FGLI groups tend to be mindful of the financial or informational gap that many FGLI students face. I've found that if I'm struggling, other people are too, and the FGLI groups are where I go to voice my concerns. I've found the FGLI groups are pretty good at being open about discussions of FGLI concerns and proactive in resolving them. The FGLI Fair is your one-stop shop to find out if you’re interested. Come and meet the leaders and members of the 9 FGLI student organizations at Penn.
We are Penn alumni from the class of 2005 and 2006 |
Julija Zubac is the Coordinator for School Transformation, Restorative Communities at the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. As an educator, organizer, and activist, Julija manages the implementation of restorative justice practices, social emotional learning, trauma informed practices across a network of 19 high-need LAUSD schools in Boyle Heights, South Los Angeles, and Watts. Julija has worked on projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina, India and Mexico, and grew up in the ex-Yugoslavia, Italy and the U.S. She is a war survivor who was in the 1st grade when authoritarianism and extremist nationalism shattered her country. Julija will share her experiences and some ideas on how to respond in our current moment. At Penn, Julija co-founded the Race Dialogue Project and worked closely with student leaders at the GIC. | Carlos Rivera-Anaya is the Head of Marketing, AM & EMEA at MR PORTER. Carlos, a native of San Francisco with proud Central American and indigenous roots, lives in New York City and believes in the power of civic engagement.Carlos is a skilled Marketing Executive with over 12 years of experience in brand building, campaign planning, strategy development, and growth at scale. He has expertise across various online/offline marketing and media channels. An avid world traveler, Carlos is deeply concerned about international human rights abuses in our country and beyond, and he is helping get out the Latinx vote in 2020. At Penn, Carlos was the chair of the United Minorities Council and co-founded the Latino Dialogue Institute. | Efrén C. Olivares is the Director of the Racial and Economic Justice Program at the Texas Civil Rights Project. Efrén handles and supervises cases in state and federal court involving institutional discrimination, constitutional violations, immigrants’ rights, disability and economic rights, among others. Efrén immigrated from Mexico to Texas with his family at the age of 13, and is devoted to advocating for the constitutional and human rights of immigrants and their families. At Penn, he was President of Mex@Penn among other endeavors. You can read/watch interviews with Efrén here and in Can't Just Preach with John Legend. |
The First-Generation, Lower-Income (FGLI) student organizations provide a supportive and inclusive community for Penn students from first-generation and/or lower-income backgrounds.
Join us to learn more about the different FGLI Student Organizations at the virtual FGLI Fall Fair:
- Wed. September 23rd, 2020 | 6:30 p.m. EDT
- Fri. September 25th, 2020 | 12:00 p.m. EDT
Hover over each icon to learn more about each FGLI org. Click on the icon to be linked to their website/social media site. We look forward to connecting with you!
To learn more about the FGLI Organizations and their leadership board, click here: https://gicatpenn.weebly.com/fgli-orgs.html