Programs

In keeping with its mission of serving as a community-based volunteer organization committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in its richly diverse urban neighborhood, West Mt. Airy Neighbors works to respond to community needs as they arise, and to create programs which will sustain the community over time. WMAN’s Board has structured its volunteer committees to create opportunities for both community problem-solving and community input.

The purpose of West Mt. Airy Neighbors’ Quality of Life Committee is twofold: to facilitate neighborhood responses to a variety of issues which affect the quality of life of residents; and to pool our knowledge, resources, and networks to work effectively in promoting public safety throughout West Mt. Airy. The committee takes up issues which affect the quality of life for a number of residents. (For information about how an individual resident can get help with an issue affecting him or her directly, see information about WMAN’s Community Relations Specialist [link to that information.] Any neighbor is welcome to bring their quality of life concerns to this committee, and the committee works to solve the problem. Recent examples of issues brought to the committee include speeding on area roads, concerns over teens and crime, and street lighting. The Quality of Life Committee meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm at Summit Presbyterian Church. Email wman@wman.net to confirm date, time and location of meeting.

Street Trees Committee: The Street Trees Committee, chaired by Doris Kessler, has a broad interest in street trees and West Mt. Airy’s natural environment.

Ned Wolf Park Project: The Ned Wolf Park Project, chaired by Ronda Throne-Murray, has revitalized the small park at the corner of McCallum and Ellet Streets.

“Sustainable Mt. Airy” Initiative: Through its Quality of Life Committee, WMAN is a stakeholder in a community-wide effort to promote a sustainable Mt. Airy.

Mt. Airy Local Nuisance Business Task Force: Mt. Airy’s Local Nuisance Business Task Force brings together staff from the PA State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the City’s Managing Director’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, 14th District Police, Department of Licenses and Inspections and the Health Department to forge a coordinated approach to these problem establishments. East and West Mt. Airy Neighbors, Mt. Airy USA (community development corporation) and elected officials also participate in the task force, which has made a significant difference in promoting good business practices and public safety.

The Mt. Airy Safety Network sends out periodic email alerts regarding public safety and crime. These are sent to zones within West Mt. Airy. (Click here to see the map of zones we use to send these emails.) Sign up to receive Safety Network alerts by email here. We depend upon neighbors letting us know when they are a victim of a crime or when they observe suspicious behavior. Please email information regarding these incidents to the Mt. Airy Safety Network at wman@wman.net

WMAN’s Zoning Committee enables public input into, and makes recommendations to Philadelphia’s Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding, applications for zoning variances and use certificates. For more information about how West Mt. Airy Neighbors handles zoning, and to view our Zoning Protocol, visit the Zoning Information page.

The Mt. Airy Schools Committee supports the public elementary schools in Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill: A.B. Day, Emlen, Henry, Houston, Jenks and Lingelbach. Activities include recruiting volunteers, obtaining reading books for the classrooms, and creating murals for each school. In addition, the Schools joins city-wide advocacy efforts whose goals is to obtain increased funding and other resources for Philadelphia’s public schools. For more information about the Mt. Airy Schools Committee, contact the Schools Committee Coordinator, Terri Rivera, at terricruz@aol.com.