Bridging Philly
From KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM in Philadelphia, Bridging Philly connects our communities to the issues that matter to you. Host Racquel Williams examines the most critical issues facing underserved communities in the Philadelphia region, with insight from experts and regular people making a difference. And KYW reporter Shara Dae Howard explores Philadelphia's hidden gems on Shara in the City. Produced by Sabrina Boyd-Surka. Presented by Gift of Life Donor Program.
Listen live on KYW Newsradio Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm & 7:30pm and Sundays at 5:30am.
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"It's not sparing anyone." The app makers behin...
This week on Bridging Philly, KYW Community Impact Reporter Racquel Williams speaks with Mazzie Casher and Steven Pickens of Philly Truce, a violence prevention group working tirelessly to stave the gun violence in Philadelphia.
30 min
127
Connecting families in need to important resour...
This week on Bridging Philly, KYW community impact reporter Racquel Williams speaks with Rachel Honore and Anne Kennan of Literacy and More. Literacy and More is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide access to community resources for the empowerment of Philadelphia families living in resource-scarce areas.
30 min
128
Lifting Up Camden's Youth with after-school men...
LUCY Camden (or Lifting Up Camden's Youth) is a comprehensive after-school and summer youth mentoring program. KYW Community Impact reporter Racquel Williams visited their state of the art, renovated space to find out more about the work they're doing and what's in store for the organization.
29 min
129
Important programs helping students with disabi...
This week on Bridging Philly, Racquel Williams talks with Kathy Rafter, Cara Gimble and Cait Pringle from Abington Senior High School. The school has two programs for young adults, ages 18-21, with IEPs, or Individualized Education Programs. ACTIVE academy and STRIVE utilizes the classroom and community to teach students vocational, travel training, and independent living skills. Students are given opportunities to practice these skills in the classroom, at their job site, and in the community.
29 min
130
DNA results changed their lives
Today on Bridging Philly, Racquel Williams talks with two Philadelphia women who decided to take a DNA test to trace their ancestry and they got way more than they bargained for.
32 min
131
Why Ya Fav Trashman is running for City Council
Terrill Haigler might be better known in Philadelphia as Ya Fav Trashman. The former sanitation worker has built a reputation and an online as an advocate for sanitation workers and cleaner streets. He's written a children’s book that teaches kids about clean communities. And now he's running for Philadelphia City Council.
40 min
132
The cancer screening crisis, artists honor Harr...
The City of Philadelphia is working with the American Cancer Society to remind everyone to get screened for cancer. Today on Bridging Philly, we talk with some doctors from ACS about the importance of early detection.
59 min
133
I'm Listening: Talking about mental health save...
I'm Listening is a Bridging Philly special presentation about suicide prevention and the importance of talking about mental health.
59 min
134
Philly locals using their experiences to bring ...
56 min
135
Healthy Aging Month: Local organization aiding ...
26 min
136
Help wanted: How the national teacher shortage ...
Summer is officially over for many students and the Philadelphia School District is still trying to fill teacher vacancies. This episode, we sit down with the president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Jerry T. Jordan, to speak on the national teacher shortage and efforts in retaining school teachers in classrooms.
24 min
137
Philly Native Giving the Max Out of Life to Phi...
This week Bridging Philly highlights a motivational speaker and transformational life coach and his efforts in helping youth become empowered, boost their confidence, and value their lives. South Philly native Maxwell Brown shares his story of years in incarceration and his teenage decisions to demonstrate how thinking controls actions, behaviors, and outcomes through his workshop and programs.
54 min
138
The AACC highlights the benefits of supporting ...
August is Black Business Month. Black business owners make up 10% of the businesses in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with the president of the African American Chamber of Commerce, Regina Hairston, to talk about the importance of supporting Black Businesses and giving tips on starting a business here in Philadelphia.
56 min
139
Philadelphia Parking Authority starts de-escala...
This week Bridging Philly invited the Philadelphia Parking Authority to get a better understanding of the authority and their mission.
59 min
140
Local animal shelters are overcrowded. Is infla...
Animal Shelters across Philadelphia are filling up with pets. Many pet owners are forced to give up their pets, and many can no longer afford vet bills, food, and other pet necessities.
57 min
141
Philadelphia’s Energy Coordinating Agency Launc...
ECA’s Heater Hotline team serves numerous calls each week from low-income families who have no hot water. The program plans to assist families with water heater replacements at no cost.
30 min
142
Philly Organizations Team Up to Fight Food Inse...
Many students in the Philadelphia School District rely on school meals during the school year. With school being out, kids no longer have access to free lunches. This week Bridging Philly tackles food insecurity in Philadelphia.
46 min
143
Roe V. Wade Overturned, What’s Next to Come?
The wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade sparked a lot of reactions and protests across the nation. Kimberly Mutcherson, co-dean and law professor at Rutgers Law School joins KYW’s Racquel Williams to talk about the legal implications of what’s next to come and discuss some privacy rights at risk.
51 min
144
Pride Month is Ending but these Philly LGBTQ Le...
This week on Bridging Philly, KYW’s Racquel Williams, Shara Dae Howard and Antionette Lee first sit down with State Representative for the 181st District and is the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, and co-facilitator a social support group at the William Way LGBT Center called Transway to speak on policies still needed to be placed to protect members of the LGBTQIA+ Community.
58 min
145
Bridging Philly Juneteenth Special
This week on Bridging Philly we honor the history of Juneteenth. We invite Tamara Staley, President of The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family Inc, and Cornelia Swinson, Executive Director of The Johnson House as they both give us a little history lesson on the federal holiday.
55 min
146
Philly CARES Program, Vinyl Tap safe spaces, an...
This week Bridging Philly invites Melany Nelson to highlight and share her new position in the DA’s Office as the director of the Philadelphia CARES Unit, providing immediate crisis response to families impacted by homicide deaths throughout the city of Philadelphia.
46 min
147
Corners to Connection Initiative, the start of ...
This week Bridging Philly invites Pastor G. Lamar Stewart to speak on the rise of gun violence in Philadelphia and how his new initiative, Corners to Connection, works in collaboration with local Philly Pastors and their efforts to speak to the community in most crime-ridden neighborhoods.
60 min
148
Bridging Philly Check-In: Engaging and Coping w...
With the uncertainty of Covid-19, Inflation, baby formula shortage, and the recent tragedies of mass shootings, the nation may feel anxiety, angry, hopeless, powerless, or even desensitized. Bridging Philly held a group discussion this week with local psychologist Dr. Valerie Braunstein of Philly Psychology, LLC. Dr. Braunstein gives tips on coping with loss and grievance and how to talk to your kids about the recent events.
28 min
149
Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Speaks out on...
The Philadelphia Prisons have been at the forefront of the news for the past couple of months. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society on their investigation of allegations towards Philadelphia Prisons and how the crisis continues to brew. You will hear from Philadelphia Prison Commissioner Blanche Carney as she addresses those allegations and highlights how the pandemic impacted their operations and staff shortages.
53 min
150
'We have to invest.' Childcare providers fight ...
Childcare providers, mothers, and educators rallied at City Hall for National Day Without Child Care on Monday in an effort to raise awareness of low pay. KYW's Racquel Williams was at this rally speaking to many providers on the issue most childcare providers are facing today. Diane Barber, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Child Care Association joined Bridging Philly to speak on solutions and the importance of Early Childhood Learning.
58 min