Alternate Spring Break 1997

Habitat for Humanity
West Philadelphia, PA
"There are good people in this neighborhood...determined and persistent and strongminded people who have character and virtues you do not see everywhere. You say to yourself, 'There's something here that's being purified by pain.' All the veneers, all the facades, are burnt away and you see something genuine and beautiful that isn't often found among the affluent." -John Kozol

Our Activities- 1996

  • We worked four days at 49th & Styles, West Philly Habitat for Humanity. The work was hard, but it was nice to really feel yourself doing something hands on.
  • We went on a day tour of Philadelphia to see all the different neighborhoods. Mike Van Hoyt, our host in Philly, was extremely knowledgable about historical, cultural, and current issues in Philadelphia. We all discovered parts of Philly we never knew existed.
  • We went rollerskating one night and contra dancing (square dancing) another night. These activities may seem hokey at first, we really enjoyed giving these things a chance and gettting to know each other better.
  • Mike Van Hoyt invited guests to discuss racial and cultural issues in Philadelphia. The retired African American reverend and an older African American woman named Sarah both had considerable life experiences in Philadelphia that added to our discussions. These discussions were intense at times, but they were an important exposure to the realities of Philadelphia and Penn students' reactions to them.
  • We cooked and cleaned all of our own meals. Due to the ethnic diversity within our group we were able to enjoy some new foods. Yum!
  • We went to a Baptist Church for a Sunday service and Father Divine's for dinner. At first many of us were uncomfortable with this, but then we saw what it really was - not an attempt to convert us or make us join a cult - but rather a chance for us to see diversity and observe other aspects of the Philly Community.
All in all, it was an incredible week that made us see our Philadelphia very differently.

West Philadelphia Site Leader:

Kendra Olson

This page was based on the 1996 West Philly trip.

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This website is maintained by Jen Bolson.
Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome.
Last revised: March, 2002.