Senior Jeff William has come up with a proposal that he hopes will make it easier for Penn students to engage with the West Philadelphia community.
William, a former chairman of the Civic House Associates Coalition -- an umbrella group for Penn service and advocacy organizations -- says that it is currently difficult for students to navigate the variety of West Philadelphia-based activities available because there are so many to choose from.
He is planning an online directory that would catalogue all of the groups involved with the community and include postings of West Philadelphia events that may interest students.
"Service opportunities are disjointed and can be difficult to explore," he said.
Alison Lalond, associate director of Civic House -- a hub for students interested in working with the community -- said the organization plans to support William's efforts.
"Penn's myriad community research efforts and active partnerships share overlapping goals, but more could surely be done to ensure that the various groups work together," Lalond said.
William is meeting this week with a group from Civic House to determine plans for funding and executing the proposal.
Though there is already a directory for the community-based groups on campus, Civic House Chairman Nick Roosevelt said it is incomplete and not comprehensive enough.
"It's not something a student would be able to pick up," he said. "It's more of a disorganized jumble of what's going on on campus."
William said he thinks the events section of the Web site will prove particularly beneficial.
"By having a directory where students can find out events in West Philadelphia and attend more events, groups will meet groups and [that] will lead to more cohesion," William said.
He added that provided with the right resources, students have much to offer to the community.
"Not only are they here, but undergrads ... are extremely motivated," he said.
However, Roosevelt points out that West Philadelphia can enhance the educational experience for the student as well.
"One of the unique things that Penn offers is the urban education that a lot of students miss out on," Roosevelt said. "Getting involved with West Philadelphia will improve the relationship between the school and the community and give the student a lesson on problems facing the urban and ultimately global world."
Roosevelt and William are anxious to get their proposal off the ground, and are looking for other students to involve themselves with the project.
"It's not a closed project, and getting involved with the directory is a great place to start with West Philadelphia," Roosevelt said.
