Penn Weekend Service
Penn Weekend Service, run through Civic House, hosts a variety of community service events every Saturday. PWS is dedicated to making it both easy and fun for students to give back to the West Philadelphia community, providing transportation to all events and requiring no minimum attendance. Decide on a whim when you’re in the mood—you don’t even have to RSVP! If you’re too busy to do community service on a regular basis, but still want to get involved, this is definitely the group for you.
Contact: pennweekendservice@gmail.com or call 215–898–4831 to speak to someone at Civic House.
Accessibility: 5/5 stars
Join if you: Have commitment issues.
Pro–tip: Do it with a pal.
GlamourGals
You love your grandma, and now you can love somebody else's grandma too. To forge some intergenerational bonds, the Penn chapter of national nonprofit GlamourGals goes to St. Ignatius Nursing Home in Philadelphia every month to provide manicures to residents. This group is a fun way to give back and spread a little TLC. The next manicure session is February 8 at 2:30 PM.
Contact: Carly Roman (croman@sas.upenn.edu), or check out the Facebook page “UPenn GlamourGals”
Accessibility: 3/5 stars
Join if you: Love visiting Nana in Boca every year.
Pro–tip: The sparklier the better.
UCHC Soup Kitchen
Spare an hour and a half any Sunday to visit Hillel, when UCHC Soup Kitchen welcomes members of the West Philadelphia community in need of a hot meal. Help serve food to guests and spend some time getting to know a few Philly locals for a unique and rewarding study break.
Contact: Allison Resnick (atr@sas.upenn.edu)
Accessibility: 5/5 stars
Join if you: Are looking to leave the Penn bubble without actually leaving.
Pro–tip: No kippah? No problem!
Stitch for Kids
Knitting is no longer just your grandmother’s favorite pastime. Stitch for Kids is a knitting and crocheting community service club that makes hats, scarves, blankets and other handmade items for sick patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It requires only two hours on Sunday afternoons and no prior experience. Make a difference in the lives of children and gain the skills to make that old–timey scarf you’ve always wanted.
Contact: Mackenzie Warren, stitchforkids@gmail.com
Accessibility: 3/5 stars
Join if you: Have an old soul.
Pro-tip: Knit some extra for holiday gifts.
Fitness for Life
Fitness for Life ventures out to schools in West Philadelphia throughout the semester, teaching the importance of exercise, nutrition and healthy living. Michelle Obama will commend your dedication to teaching healthy habits to the younger generation.
Contact: Eric Xu (ericxu@sas.upenn.edu)
Accessibility: 3/5 stars
Join if you: Miss elementary school P.E.
Pro–tip: Hope you’re good at dodgeball.
