Citizen of the Week: Elena Jadach and Gen Z for Sustainability

The William Penn Charter School senior launched a nonprofit that empowers her peers to pitch in on protecting the planet

By Stephanie Ostroff

Citizen of the Week: Steve Stroiman

Every neighborhood should be as lucky to have a “non-leader” like the one who serves Cresheim Village Neighbors in Mount Airy (and who once taught Jewish studies to a teenage Josh Shapiro)

By Lauren McCutcheon

Citizen of the Week: Jacqueline “Jax” Cusack of Roxborough Development Corp

The new-ish head of the neighborhood group grew up caring for and communing with the region’s parks and waterways. Now she’s bringing her lifelong passion for the environment to bring more green to the Northwest Philly neighborhood

By Rachel Wisniewski

Citizen of the Week: Bigga Dre

A grassroots Black empowerment activist who has long flown under the mainstream radar is one of the reasons Juneteenth in Philly is the harmonious, artful and joyous celebration it is today

By Abigail Chang

Citizen of the Week: Nadia Bosket

The founder of Hoop Dreams, Inc. has figured out how to help Philly kids make friends, be confident and focus on opportunities, using basketball as bait

By Lauren McCutcheon

Citizen of the Week: John Solomon of Endangered Kind

Lifelong North Philadelphian John Solomon uses his own experiences to help young people in his community escape the cycle of gun violence

By Norah Rami

Citizen of the Week: Jill Goldstone and Rydal Refugee Resettlement Committee

An Abington community “connector” has drawn her neighbors into “the greatest opportunity in the world:” the effort to support refugee families emigrating to the United States

By Rachel Wisniewski

Citizen of the Week: Vivek Babu

Thanks to the efforts led by Drexel’s undergraduate student president, the university will for the first time give students the day off for voting and engagement on Election Day 2024, the latest in a string of election advocacy successes.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Citizen of the Week: Barbara Greenspan Shaiman

For 25 years, the Champions of Caring founder helped mentor more than 10,000 youth in how to create social change. Now she’s spreading her do-good message to Philadelphians of all ages

By Amanda DeJesus