Activism
Meet the Real Underdogs of Philly
A small but mighty all-volunteer nonprofit helps Philadelphia dogs who live outdoors
By Hailey Rauso
Good Citizen Calendar, October-December 2026
Your guide to civic action in Philadelphia, all year long
By Lauren McCutcheon
Sharon Pervez-Khan
After her daughter Elora was diagnosed with an incurable, cancerous brain tumor, the Villanova mom made it her mission to accelerate research, funding, and life-saving treatment.
By Laura Brzyski
There’s (Probably) a Club for That
The guy behind Join Philly doesn’t just want people to do more things and make more friends. He wants them to stick around
By Cristian Salazar
Is The Antidote to Democratic Despair Thinking Smaller?
Coming together for your community is a first step in repairing our politically fractured society. Proof positive: Cities and towns across the U.S., even here in Philly, are doing it
By Richard McKnight
Meet the Philadelphia Documenters
Committee of 70 is reviving the Philadelphia chapter of a Chicago-born program to make sure everyone knows what’s going on in city meetings. Transparency and jobs ensue
By Courtney DuChene
All Aboard the Philly Bike Train
Who are all those people standing outside City Hall with their bicycles?
By Erin Dohony
Protecting the People Who Feed Us
During Covid, South Philly’s El Comite De Trabajadorxs de Restaurante helped keep restaurant workers safe. Now, they have a new mission: Protect immigrants from unconstitutional actions on the part of ICE
By Myesha Choudhury
Joel Austin, Dean of Daddy University
Twenty-two years ago, a veteran from West Philly felt left out of the parenting equation. Today, he’s turned thousands of local dads into successful child-rearers
By Ashleigh N. DeLuca
Black Philly History, Today
August marks the 130th anniversary of W.E.B. Du Bois’s seminal research on Black Philadelphians. It’s a chance to ask — and answer — hard questions about Philly today
By Sharif El-Mekki