Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships
Title: Empowering Second Chances: Education, Employment, & and Equity in North Philadelphia
Student Interns:
David Baidoo
Temple University, School of Pharmacy
Jessica Kolora
Temple University, School of Pharmacy
Academic Preceptor:
Jerome Wright, MSW, LSW
Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Shirley Moy, MSW
Executive Director, Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships
Community Site:
The Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships (LCCWP) is a part of Temple University’s Office of Public Affairs. Its mission is to engage people throughout North Philadelphia area and to address the issues affecting those communities. Through various programs, it supports adult education, career development, health literacy, public housing, trauma education, and many other aspects of the community.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns supported adult learners at the Lenfest Center by providing individualized tutoring in GED math, science, and language arts, with a focus on building foundational skills and student confidence through repetition and personalized instruction. The interns also assisted with job readiness by reviewing résumés, helping with job applications, and offering guidance on interview preparation. Interns provided additional support to formerly incarcerated individuals by helping them develop résumés and prepare for reentry into the workforce. A flexible scheduling model ensured one-on-one learning, addressing student concerns about group sessions and varied learning paces. These efforts helped create a more supportive and empowering environment for adult learners, job seekers, and returning citizens in the community.
Reflections
“The BTG opportunity was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It really gave me a perspective on how a lot of the people in Philly are living without high school diplomas, yet they constantly show up every day eager to learn. Their resilience and determination moved me. This experience made me more compassionate, not only as a future healthcare professional, but also as a person. It reminded me that behind every statistic is a story and that genuine support can be life changing.”
David Baidoo
“The BTG CHIP experience has deepened my awareness and mindfulness when working with underserved populations. During my tutoring sessions at WELL, I observed that many adult learners were highly motivated. They simply needed support, patience, and encouragement to succeed. I learned that building confidence through consistent guidance can empower individuals far beyond achieving their GED goals. As a future healthcare provider, I’ve come to understand that when someone isn’t following the expected path, it’s important to ask why rather than assume disinterest or noncompliance. This mindset helped me better tailor plans to meet each student’s unique needs and will continue to shape the way I approach patient care throughout my career.”
Jessica Kolora