Center in the Park

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Promoting Positive Aging at Center in the Park!

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Student Interns:
Oluwatosin Ilori, Temple University School of Pharmacy
Caoilainn McKenna, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Laura Timaran, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 

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Academic Preceptors:
Ingrid Mapanao, MSW, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Brian Work, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Jerome Wright, MSW, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Community Preceptor:
Cleo Smalls, MBA, Center Director, Center in the Park

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Community Site:
Center in the Park is a nonprofit senior wellness center founded in 1968, located in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia. Center in the Park promotes positive aging and fosters community connections for older adults, whose voices are critical instruments in shaping its activities and direction. CIP offers a variety of programs, including free breakfast and lunch, art classes (like knitting, painting, poetry, and pottery), social events (including Bible study, movie times, billiards, and cards), educational programs (such as technology literacy, Spanish, piano, health promotion, and homebuyer workshops), and physical activities (including yoga, line dancing, and SilverSneakers programs). In this way, CIP nurtures all aspects of health: social, financial, physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual.

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Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns assisted with various programs, including performing organizational tasks, distributing Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) vouchers, and preparing health education materials on the topics of smoking cessation, cardiovascular health, and oral health. The CIP staff and interns distributed approximately $20,000 worth of SFMNP vouchers, which enable anyone over 60 to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets. In addition, each intern had individual projects, such as organizing contact information and resources, facilitating compensation from insurance companies for SilverSneakers, and making efforts to reopen the fitness center by connecting with physical therapy students at local universities. The interns learned how to create health education materials for people of all levels of health literacy.

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Reflections:
Oluwatosin Ilori, Caoilainn McKenna, and Laura Timaran: “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the older adult population and their needs during our time at CIP. This was a new experience for all of us, and we also learned a lot about the coming elder boom from The Age of Dignity by Ai-Jen Poo, which was the Bridging the Gaps required reading for this summer. With all of these experiences in mind, we look forward to interacting with the geriatric population as future healthcare professionals. Moreover, we learned about health literacy through preparing materials about oral health, smoking cessation, and cardiovascular health that are accessible to the masses, as all science should be. In a very ageist society, CIP was a transformative experience where we unlearned many of these unconscious beliefs. Each day, we’d see lively members enjoy themselves, socialize, sing, laugh, create art, play, learn new languages and skills, and exercise. We’ve come to understand that older age is a beautiful and rewarding stage of life, where you can be reacquainted with your hobbies, passions, friends, and family. This experience exposed us to the difficulties that the geriatric population faces as they get older. Prominent examples include expenses associated with aging and the challenges families may face in caring for senior family members—topics we don't often discuss or consider when we are younger. The senior population will become a majority of the patients that we will be treating in our careers, therefore it is crucial that we keep their specific needs in mind during our interactions with them. Through this experience, we have acquired a deeper understanding of the barriers to healthcare and the social determinants of health, which will allow us to more effectively prevent and alleviate the common ailments that affect the geriatric population.” 
 

HumanGood - Tioga Presbyterian Apartments

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Creating Community at Tioga Presbyterian Apartments

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Student Interns: 
Efthimios Bouikidis, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Stephanie Ilo, Temple University, School of Pharmacy

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Academic Preceptors: 
Ingrid Mapanao, MSW, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Brian Work, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Jerome Wright, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Community Preceptor: 
Jacqueline Harvey, BSW, Social Service Coordinator, Tioga Presbyterian Apartments

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Community Site:    
Tioga Presbyterian Apartments, operated by HumanGood, is a senior living facility providing low-income housing to seniors 62 and older, with the mission of helping them live their best possible lives. The services offered are designed to support those we serve, their families, and our team members in the pursuit of an engaged, purposeful life. The staff at Tioga Presbyterian Apartments believes everyone should have the opportunity to live life with enthusiasm, confidence, and security, regardless of social, physical, or economic circumstances.

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Team’s Experience: 
The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked with staff to run existing social activities and implement new ones for the residents at Tioga Presbyterian Apartments. They assisted the residents in completing applications for social services and answered any questions they had regarding technology and email. Interns also helped with building operations, including administrative tasks to facilitate smooth operations.

Reflections:
Efthimios Bouikidis: “Working at Tioga Presbyterian Apartments provided me with a valuable learning experience, as it was my first time working within the intimate setting of someone’s home. As I continue my education, I may not have another opportunity to work in such a setting, making this experience particularly unique. Given that a significant portion of medicine involves caring for the older population, it’s essential for me as a future physician to understand the daily realities of seniors’ lives. This insight will help me become a more empathetic and informed provider, enhancing the care I offer my patients. During my time there, I experienced numerous moments of connection and witnessed a lively community eager to engage with one another. Walking into a building and being welcomed into residents’ homes with such warmth and generosity was a reminder of how genuine connections can be fostered through simple acts of kindness and hospitality.”

Stephanie Ilo: “I am happy to have been a part of Bridging the Gaps this summer. It has given me so much knowledge and growth along with learning wisdom from the residents at Tioga Presbyterian Apartments. Talking to the residents gave me a chance to understand how their life was before they moved into Tioga. Being at Tioga, I learned about the quality of life that elderly people have living in a senior apartment building and what contributed to their quality of life, either good or bad. I found a connection and understanding with the elderly community by getting comfortable with getting to know their environment and people better. Bridging the Gaps has made me realize my purpose in my future career in serving people and the importance of listening to one’s story and better understanding patients as a person.”
 

Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships 

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Addressing Barriers to Employment and Community Well-Being at the Lenfest Center

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Student Interns:
Nicolas Amongero, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Jessica Evans, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Academic Preceptors:
Ingrid Mapanao, MSW, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Brian Work, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Jerome Wright, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Community Preceptor:
Shirley Moy, MSW, Executive Director, Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships

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Community Site:
The Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships promotes the health and well-being of North Philadelphia communities by providing a comprehensive host of services and programs addressing topics including career development for youth and adults, adult education, community development, and more. Through research, education, and outreach, the Lenfest Center empowers North Philadelphia community members with skills, resources, and support needed to reach career and personal goals and to better utilize health-based resources. Their services are focused on the neighborhoods surrounding Temple University but are available to all Philadelphia residents.

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Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns engaged with several Lenfest Center projects, focusing on enhancing digital literacy, adult education, and community engagement. The interns designed presentations for the New Choices workshops as part of the ABC (Advancing Basic Computer) Skills initiative. These workshops promote digital literacy among job seekers by focusing on topics including building a résumé, navigating online job boards, and preparing for interviews. The interns supported the WELL (Workforce Engagement and Lifelong Learning) program by assisting with math tutoring for adult learners pursuing their high school diplomas. As part of the PHA Cares Summer Safety Series, the interns assisted with community events to distribute health information on bike and water safety, asthma, cardiovascular health, and oral care.

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Reflections:
Nicolas Amongero: “Working with the Lenfest Center through Bridging the Gaps has been an enriching experience that will make me a more understanding and educated physician. This internship made me conscious of the barriers many North Philadelphia community members face while seeking employment, such as the increasing need for digital literacy skills. I had the opportunity to assist a returning citizen with his job applications, illuminating the difficulties formerly incarcerated individuals face while searching for jobs. Many jobs require several references and advanced technological skills to apply, which represents a barrier for returning citizens and contributes to high recidivism rates in our country. This internship underscored the intimate link between financial stability and the ability to afford healthcare. I am more familiar with social factors that impact how people can acquire healthcare and better understand the importance of advocating for marginalized groups on workforce development and employment.”

Jessica Evans: “The Bridging the Gaps program has been an invaluable opportunity that enhanced my perspective on the social determinants of health through didactic sessions, meaningful interactions, and firsthand experience. As I assisted individuals of various backgrounds to seek employment and achieve their career goals, I became acutely aware of the barriers that many face, particularly with limited exposure to computer technology. I found it rewarding to help establish building blocks to success and to accompany individuals on their journey to overcome these barriers. Overall, my experience in the Bridging the Gaps program has impacted my future career as a physician by increasing my capacity to understand, operate from a deeper level of empathy and compassion, and make meaningful connections with future patients.” 
 

Lutheran Settlement House

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Frankford Ave’s Finest: Lutheran Settlement House

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Student Interns:
Louisa Benatovich, Temple University, School of Podiatric Medicine
Ethan Halprin, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Academic Preceptors:
Ingrid Mapanao, MSW, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Brian Work, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Jerome Wright, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Community Preceptor:
Meg Finley, Lutheran Settlement House

Community Site:
Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) was founded in 1902 to support the needs of recently arrived European immigrants. Located at 1340 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia’s vibrant Fishtown neighborhood, it remains committed to community advocacy by providing food, counseling, adult education courses, senior services, safety from abuse, and so much more to the diverse North Philadelphia community of today. Combating food insecurity is a key component of LSH’s mission to empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. LSH achieves this through the Share Food Program (its own large food pantry, which is open Monday through Friday and saw more than 11,000 visitors last year), the distribution of farmers market vouchers, and free community meals to support and bring the community together. In the LSH center for older adults, services available include exercise, computer, dance, yoga, and language classes, as well as health/nutrition education and social work support. Additionally, LSH provides critical counseling for victims of domestic violence (557 individuals received DV counseling in 2023 at LSH) and trauma-focused child counseling. LSH’s North Philadelphia location, Jane Addams Place, is a family shelter for those in need of transitional housing and who are experiencing homelessness.

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Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns spent significant time distributing Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture fruit and vegetable vouchers to hundreds of patrons aged 60 and over. These $50 vouchers can be used at many farmers markets in the city and throughout the state. Since all food pantry patrons needed to resubmit their TEFAP (The Emergency Food Access Program) forms by the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, the interns often helped LSH clients fill out these forms and then registered clients with Pennsylvania’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which is required for access to the food pantry. The interns also acquired TEFAP forms in additional languages, which greatly enhanced food pantry access. To promote cardiovascular health, smoking cessation, and oral health, interns partnered with Humana to create a trivia game that was attended by about 30 members of LSH’s center for older adults.

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Reflections:
Louisa Benatovich: “My BTG summer at Lutheran Settlement House has been a healing one. During my first year of podiatry school, I felt very disconnected from the reason I wanted to get into a helping profession in the first place—people. This summer, I really connected with my new home in Fishtown. I’ve learned so much more about barriers people face in accessing care and resources in Philadelphia. I’ve learned to ask better questions to get people what they need in a compassionate and informed way. I’ve learned how to better work with an interprofessional team to meet a client where they are. I will absolutely take these skills with me into podiatric practice, where interdisciplinary teams are key to treating patients. Oh, and I learned some Spanish!”

Ethan Halprin: “The community that accesses Lutheran Settlement House is diverse in language and culture. During the summer, I spent time providing social services and engaging in health and wellness activities with LSH clients. Fortunately, my experience has been overwhelmingly positive, as the community gathers at LSH to seek support and companionship and is grateful for the work being done to fulfill its needs. I feel honored to have participated in BTG and been a part of LSH due to their positive reputations among community members. At LSH and through the excellent presentations given by BTG speakers, I have learned valuable communication skills (including vocabulary, strategies for speaking to youth and senior citizens, and more). I especially enjoyed and found fruitful hearing the insights of pioneers and experts in the field of addiction medicine. I aim to become a more involved advocate in this field and utilize my newfound communication skills with patients.”
 

Lutheran Settlement House, Jane Addams Place

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Summer Programming at Jane Addams Place

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Student Interns:
Delaney Cooper, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Nicole Sweeney, Temple University, College of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and School of Social Work

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Academic Preceptors:
Ingrid Mapanao, MSW, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Brian Work, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Jerome Wright, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Community Preceptor:
Latisha Brown, MSW, Manager of Children and Youth Services, Lutheran Settlement House

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Community Site:
Jane Addams Place at Lutheran Settlement House gives families a safe, welcoming, and dignified place to live while they plan for their next steps. It is a short-term family shelter that provides comprehensive case management services, trauma therapy, nutritious meals, and individual rooms for families. Families can also use the courtyard, gym, “Bright Spaces” activity room, and computer lab.

Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns assisted in summer programming events at Jane Addams Place, working primarily with children and adolescents. Programming included arts and crafts, gym activities, courtyard games, movie days, field trips, and gardening. Interns created a new dental hygiene program called “Floss Olympics,” involving dental trivia, a dental supplies scavenger hunt, and relay races with flossing, puzzles, and physical coordination challenges. Prizes and dental hygiene bags from Penn Dental were provided to participants. The interns also oversaw the teen summer employment program, organized donations, performed chart audits, and completed room inspections.

Reflections:
Delaney Cooper: “JAP treats every resident, no matter their circumstances, with respect, dignity, and individualized care to meet them where they are. For instance, every space in the building is breastfeeding friendly, there is no drug testing policy, and there are spaces for enrichment with games, programming, and the gym. Not only is this informed by a trauma-sensitive model, but it is what one human being would (and do) do for another. I believe JAP is not only a place to stay, but a place to live while residents work on next steps for their housing and their future. I will carry forward the compassion and perseverance that the staff at JAP have shown, even with the seemingly little things such as asking how someone’s day is (as the front desk staff do for every person who enters the building), filing appeals with insurance companies and advocating for patients when they are not receiving the highest quality care (like the social workers filing appeals for housing), and finding time to see someone if they are late to an appointment (much like the flexibility of case manager appointments or converting to a phone call to accommodate a resident’s work schedule). My time here has made me very wary of my recommendations for future patients, because you never know the effort it may take someone to fill a prescription or get to an appointment, especially during normal business hours. Many single parents at JAP are juggling taking their children to childcare, counseling, and meals; going to work; attending case manager meetings; and searching for housing (which in and of itself is a full-time job). I cannot imagine fitting all of that into a day, much less trying to get to the doctor.” 

Nicole Sweeney: “My internship experience at Jane Addams will serve as an inflection point in my career as it has illuminated the importance of meeting people where they are and treating them as human beings, above all. The struggle to find stable housing can impact anyone. Working at Jane Addams has underlined the hard truth: I am a representation of every individual who walks through the door. Regardless of what circumstances led them to Jane Addams, it has become central to my approach as a health professional to care for them with the respect, dignity, and compassion that I would want if it were myself in their shoes. This internship has deepened my commitment to human-centered and trauma-sensitive care, inspiring me to use my MPH/MSW degrees to advocate for equitable access to healthcare and social services so that those most vulnerable no longer fall through the cracks into homelessness and poverty. I believe that with adequate resources, system-level changes, and amplifying the voices and needs of those affected by social inequities, such as homelessness, it is truly possible to transform our system. This internship has not only given me the opportunity to connect my passions for health promotion and social justice, but also has helped me to envision what I may one day do in these fields to actualize the possibilities of health equity.”

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Red Shield Family Residence at Salvation Army

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Building Strong Bonds and Promoting Connectivity With Youth at the Red Shield Family Residence

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Student Interns:
Nidhi Patel, Temple University, School of Podiatric Medicine 
Sally Shin, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Academic Preceptors:
Ingrid Mapanao, MSW, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Brian Work, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Jerome Wright, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Community Preceptors:
Zoie Bissic, Youth Services Coordinator, Red Shield Family Residence 
Jonathan Schmid, MSW, Assistant Director, Red Shield Family Residence

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Community Site:
The Red Shield Family Residence at the Salvation Army is an emergency housing program that provides room and board as well as intensive case management and family services. It welcomes individuals across many walks of life and connects them to jobs, school, work programs, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment programs. Case managers develop strong bonds with individuals and establish goals to keep them focused on moving forward and equip them with the resources they need to achieve self-sufficiency.

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Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns focused on nurturing creativity and strengthening community bonds among resident youth (aged 4 to 15). They programmed activities, including arts and crafts sessions and field trips, aimed at fostering meaningful connections and encouraging self-expression among the children. The interns also created educational materials promoting oral hygiene and cardiovascular health and shared them throughout the facility. Through these initiatives and interactions, the intern team was able to form a strong bond with the residents and develop an overall stronger sense of community.

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Reflections:
Nidhi Patel: “Working with the youth at Red Shield was a profound experience that showcased the youths’ remarkable ability to transform a negative situation into a positive one. Their bright smiles and cheerful personalities taught me the true meaning of resilience each and every day. Despite facing challenges such as homelessness and financial hardships, they would always remain cheerful and positive. During the summer, my co-intern and I fostered their creativity and encouraged meaningful interactions among them through engaging activities such as arts and crafts and fun field trips. Interacting with the children and their families, I witnessed a strong sense of community and a spirit of mutual support. Participating in Bridging the Gaps at Red Shield Family Residence has provided me with valuable insights into some of the challenges faced by the Philadelphia community. This experience has shaped my approach to medicine going forward, ensuring it prioritizes empathy and a commitment to community.”

Sally Shin: “My time working at Red Shield throughout the summer was an incredibly meaningful and humbling experience, especially as I began forming close relationships with the children living at the shelter. As I learned their stories, I was in awe of just how positive their outlook was, despite the challenges they faced that led them to Red Shield. Their infectious energy and enthusiasm for even the smallest of victories helped me gain a lot of perspective on what was important. With these priorities in mind, my co-intern and I aimed to promote activities that encouraged their creativity and collaboration, such as board games, crafts, and field trips. While the majority of our time was spent with the kids, I also had the opportunity to get to know some of the parents on a one-on-one basis, which gave me more of an insight into the sheer resilience of these families. From such conversations, I learned just how frustrating and vastly different their challenges were while navigating the convoluted systems of Philadelphia. This experience has helped me gain more of an intimate understanding of the social barriers faced by the patient population in this city and has reminded me to approach each personal interaction with empathy and an eagerness to learn about others. As I enter the healthcare field, I hope to apply everything about this incredible experience to become a physician that truly cares and advocates for my future patients.”

 

To Our Children’s Future With Health (TOCFWH)

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To Our Children’s Future With Health, Inc., Summer Achievers Internship Program

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Student Interns:
Etienne McEnroe, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Amarriah Valentine, MS, Temple University, School of Podiatric Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:
Ingrid Mapanao, MSW, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Brian Work, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Jerome Wright, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Community Preceptor:
Charmaine Sudler-Milligan, Director of Services, To Our Children’s Future With Health, Inc.

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Community Site:
To Our Children’s Future With Health, Inc. (TOCFWH), is a community-based nonprofit that serves the Nicetown-Tioga area of Philadelphia by providing educational enrichment and community health resources and services. The Summer Achievement program operates from the Mary McLeod Bethune School to work on academic enrichment, entrepreneurship, and early STEM career exposure for students from first through seventh grade.

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Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked with To Our Children’s Future With Health to create an exciting summer camp experience for first- through seventh-grade students. They worked with Philadelphia School District teachers to assist in academic enrichment and taught summer scholars about cardiovascular health, smoking cessation, and oral/foot health. They created resources about the importance of active lifestyles, oral health, vaping cessation, and young women’s hygiene, and provided STEM exposure using the Franklin Institute GSK Science in the Summer Program and Summer Business initiative.

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Reflections:
Etienne McEnroe: “My time in the North Philly community improved my understanding of the role that community engagement and cultural competence can play in effective healthcare delivery. The relationships I cultivated this summer with students and community members have enriched my understanding of the complexities of health and education in underserved areas. Engaging students in discussions about health and seeing their initial disengagement transform into curiosity and participation highlighted the potential for impactful health education. This experience reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career that not only addresses individual health needs but also contributes to broader community well-being.”

Amarriah Valentine: “BTG CHIP has provided me with valuable experience outside of the classroom. By working with TOCFWH, I saw the North Philadelphia community more intimately. My experience with the North Philadelphia community has shown me that many of the problems that the community faces are more complex and take time to resolve. I learned that North Philadelphia has many intentional resources for its community. I learned that it is important to understand that individuals and families do not want to leave their community to have a better life, but they want their communities to get the appropriate allocation of resources so they can live a healthy and fulfilling life. My experiences with BTG will help me become a more empathetic and resourceful podiatric physician in the future.”