Employees of the Samuel S. Fels South Philadelphia Community Center, 2407 S. Broad St., received official word Monday from the Caring People Alliance board to start sprucing up their résumés as the 43,000-square-foot facility is in the process of being sold to the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, 2600 S. Broad St. The scheduled June closing will leave an activity void for local teens and seniors who have considered Fels a second home. See next week’s South Philly Review for a complete story.
Contact Staff Photographer Greg Bezanis at gbezanis@southphillyreview.com or ext. 126.
Though content with solitude, Ronalta Conn has enjoyed bonding with fellow seniors at the Samuel S. Fels South Philadelphia Community Center, 2407 S. Broad St., for nine years. One of more than 1,000 members of its Marconi Older Adults Center, she has contributed to its theater group for five years, yet mounting debt will likely drop the curtain on her performances and all other activities at the 43,000-square-foot site.
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1. Anonymous said... on Jan 12, 2012 at 08:53AM
“Where will Day care and after school children go.When will parents be notified?”
2. Anonymous said... on Jan 12, 2012 at 09:18AM
“WHAT ABOUT ALL THE CHILDREN WHO WONT HAVE A DAYCARE, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM OR SUMMER CAMP? KIDS "PLUS" SENIORS ARE LOOSING OUT "IF" THE BLDG CLOSES!”
3. Anonymous said... on Jan 12, 2012 at 10:11AM
“where will the children go? you emphize on seniors what about the children and parents? some cannot afford to eat at home and this is the only meal they can get. what happens to them? Can you write a story about the children?”
4. Anonymous said... on Jan 12, 2012 at 12:06PM
“The children will be just fine. Children learn to adapt in new environments very quickly. The real tragedy here is the loss of jobs and the loss of their senior program.”
5. John said... on Jan 16, 2012 at 08:38AM
“why was the staff told NOT to talk to the media? sounds strange! I was told friday that is the reason for no comments on this from the ppl who work there, they were threatened they will loose their benefits if they speak to the review. OUTRAGEOUS. I was a member until my wife got sick but now that I have someone coming in I was thinking it would be good to go back just to relieve some stress. Guess not, and I agree what about those children, you said they will adjust. Children remember odd things they will carry for the rest of their lives. Surely you dont want them scarred by this #4”
6. Anonymous said... on Jan 16, 2012 at 11:17AM
“Sure the children will be fine.....WHERE will they go?! Will the PPACS accept the children that depend on FELS Community Center into their school....so that they can then use their late care????? Come on! We all know that it is all politics.....seriously.....lottery to get in there.....yeah...maybe after they accept 75% of the kids on a non-lottery basis. People need to stop talking and take action!”
7. Anonymous said... on Jan 16, 2012 at 11:25AM
“Sad!!!”
8. Anonymous said... on Jan 16, 2012 at 02:17PM
“Sadly this is a sign of the times. A great community center that many call home has become a victim of mismanagement. The employees that have kept it going all these years have become collateral damage. Comment #5 states workers were told they would lose their benefits if they speak to the media. What exactly is it that they are afraid will be exposed? The community should really be investigating this. The secrecy surrounding this deal has made many people suspicious and I hope someone will get to the bottom of it.
”