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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Philly

Make Philadelphia better, one neighbor at a time.

Libraries are essential to our communities in many ways. In 2016, researchers found that the Philly’s public libraries 

 with programming focused on housing, literacy, and public health.

You can check out the hours for your local branch 

Due to staffing and budget issues, weekend hours are currently paused, but the Free Library is expecting to roll out Saturday hours again sometime in the fall, according to communications director Trenton Smiley.

Here are a few ways you can support our local libraries and keep them thriving:

, which works to advance literacy, inspire curiosity, and provide critical programs for residents of all ages 💰

 to help preserve and grow vital resources such as the Learning Enrichment Afterschool Program, and the Culinary Literacy Center 🍳

. There are plenty of ways to physically support your local branch, such as: shelving books and DVDs, assisting senior citizens with technology, teaching English, giving tours, or assisting with landscaping and beautification projects 🌸

Libraries are essential to our communities in many ways. In 2016, researchers found that the Philly’s public libraries support nearly 500,000 people every year with its programming focused on housing, literacy, and public health.

Supporting Philadelphia’s Local Libraries

Help Your Neighbors

 with programming focused on housing, literacy, and public health. 

Philly has 54 neighborhood libraries, but 

, about 1 in 7 libraries can’t fully open each day. Many of them, including Parkway Central, don’t stay open past 6 p.m. 


Here’s a few ways you can support our local libraries and keep them thriving:

, which supports the Free Library’s mission to advance literacy, inspire curiosity, and provide critical programs for residents of all ages.

 to help preserve and grow vital resources such as the Learning Enrichment Afterschool Program, and the Culinary Literacy Center. 

. There are plenty of opportunities to serve the library like shelving books and DVDs, assisting senior citizens with technology, and assisting with landscaping and beautification projects.

Help Your Neighbor: Support Local Libraries

 over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, with the highest percentage in Philadelphia County (20.8%). 

In 2021, about 40% of adults reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, which is 

 from 2019. Much of this increase can be attributed to the pandemic, but the 

Mental health is often overlooked in conversations surrounding public health, but it’s just as vital for the overall well-being of our city.

Let’s explore some ways that we as a community can support mental health in Philly.

. NAMI is seeking individuals who can assist with language interpretation, social media, speaking to youth, facilitating support groups, administrative work, and more. Fill out 

. This organization provides residential treatment to adolescents struggling with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health conditions.

It also offers educational and skill building programs such as art and gardening, weekly therapy, and vocational training. 

 will help provide materials and other resources to help these youth recover. 

 with a five minute advocacy activity, such as learning about a policy issue, signing a petition, or contacting a legislator. All activities are voluntary.

Help Your Neighbor by Raising Mental Health Awareness

Philadelphia is big on volunteer work, and there are so many incredible ways to help your community thrive. But choosing the best organization, figuring out what to offer, and fitting it into your schedule can be a bit overwhelming. 

Conveniently, the 

 that will connect you with virtually all the nonprofits and other groups that are in need of volunteer work. All you have to do is type in keywords related to the work you’d like to do, as well as your zip code.

From these search results, you can find plenty of city leaders, advocates, and organizations that are ready and willing to work with new volunteers.  



If you have any expertise in drama, debate, or scrabble, you could assist club leaders to lead lessons and games with Philly students. Or maybe you’re really into murals and street art (like me) and you want to join a community mural painting 🖌️

Once you find the perfect opportunity, just click “sign up” and you’ll be automatically signed up to receive email updates with information about upcoming events that need volunteers. You can choose which dates and times you can work, and fit it perfectly into your schedule. Love it!

Help Your Neighbor Make Volunteering Easy

During the holiday season, food, clothing, and toy drives start popping up everywhere. But did you know that you can actually host a donation drive on your own for your favorite organization? Here are a few tips to get you started.

The event can be as creative as you want. It could be a book swap, a sporting goods swap for youth, a diaper drive for local families, or even animal supplies for a shelter.


First, pick an organization and coordinate with them. Ask what items they need, and then publicize the event with those items in mind. 

Drives and swaps can differ in structure. Drives usually work best when people can drop off items over a period of time. Swaps are typically held on a specific day and time, so plan accordingly.  


Make sure to find a proper location. You don’t want to publicize your home address. Some good options are public buildings, stores, offices, or other easily accessible places. For a swap, you’ll need appropriate space and tables to set up the donated items.  


Have fun! Doing things like this can be time-consuming and maybe a bit stressful, but they are sure to fill your heart with so much warmth. And now that you’ve completed your first, the next one will be a piece of cake. Community is where wellness begins. 

Help Your Neighbor by Starting Your Own Donation Drive

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In 2021, 43 people were killed by domestic violence in Philadelphia. This number is double the number from 2020 and the largest known to date.

Here’s a few organizations to support that work towards ending violence and helping survivors heal and thrive.

 is the city’s leading domestic violence advocate and service provider. It offers safe havens, a legal center, a 24/7 hotline, community education and training, and more. 

 Target, Walmart, and Old Navy gift cards to survivors or schedule a monthly donation to the organization. 

 (WIT) empowers people to move forward from traumatic experiences. It offers free and confidential services to people of all genders such as peer support groups, individual counseling, client referrals, self-defense classes, and telephone counseling. 

WIT is always seeking volunteers with skills or experience that could benefit their clients. If you have expertise in workshop facilitation, legal, financial and marketing skills, professional photography or curation of historical artifacts 

Aid Survivors of Domestic Violence with These Advocacy Groups 

Helping your neighbor can come in many forms, and sometimes it means stepping in as a bystander during mental health emergencies. One 

 a mental illness, and mentally ill people 

But many times, calling the police can do more harm than good, especially for marginalized communities such as people of color and individuals with mental illnesses or disabilities. When these identities intersect, police intervention can become even more dangerous.

So what can you do instead of dialing 9-1-1?

There are plenty of places to call that will send trained individuals to the scene. Here’s a few Crisis Response Center numbers to add to your phone’s contact list.

Friends Hospital: 800-899-0548 (toll-free) or 215-831-4600 (local number)

Hall-Mercer Community Mental Health Center: 215-829-3461

Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services:

24/7 suicide prevention and crisis intervention: 215-686-4420

How to Help Your Neighbor in Times of Mental Crisis

There is a literacy crisis among Philadelphia youth. A 

 revealed that just 32% of third graders are reading at an age-appropriate level, and there are stark gaps among racial groups, and very low scores for English language learners and students with disabilities. 


Here are two great organizations to support to improve literacy for children in the city.


 is a Giving Library and Literacy center in North Philly. They provide free books to children and families, and offer programs that increase literacy skills and foster a lifelong love of reading and writing. To support their work, you can donate money, children’s books, or sponsor an event. You can also buy supplies for their programs through their 

This Saturday, Tree House Books is hosting their annual Philadelphia Literacy Day event. This year’s theme is 

Books Not Bullets, Community Healing After Violence

. Guests can enjoy music, food, therapy animals, and book signings from national authors. Community mental health resources will be provided as well.


 is a citywide coalition of family, community, and systems leaders protecting every child’s right to read. You can become a reading captain or a reading coach, volunteer at their events, or donate cash and/or books. 


” and learn more about how you can do your part to protect children’s right to literacy, promote the love of reading and writing, and champion Philly school success.


If you’re a leader of a community organization, you can sign up to become a Read by 4th partner to further their impact and create more meaningful change. Current partners include iHeartMedia Philadelphia, Cosmic Writers, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Children’s Village, and many more.