Temple University
2025 projects
Center in the Park
Aging with Joy at Center in the Park
Student Intern:
Eddie J. Sanchez Jr., Temple University, School of Pharmacy
Academic Preceptor:
Jerome Wright, MSW, LSW, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Community Preceptors:
Grace Neeld, BS, Health Promotions Supervisor, Center in the Park
Cleo Smalls, MBA, Center Director, Center in the Park
Community Site:
Center in the Park (CIP) is a nationally accredited nonprofit senior community center in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. Since 1968, CIP has promoted positive aging by offering skill building, social activities, and meaningful connections. The center also provides vital services such as housing counseling, energy assistance, in-home support, and long-term care ombudsman programs. CIP’s mission is to empower older adults and ensure that their voices shape the programs and community they help create.
https://centerintheparkphila.org/
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern worked on a variety of meaningful projects to support the well-being of the older adults in the community. One of the intern’s key roles was assisting with the distribution of produce vouchers through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), which helps seniors access fresh fruits and vegetables to encourage healthier eating habits and reduce long-term health risks. The intern also worked with the Health Promotion team to help implement a membership card system featuring barcodes to streamline attendance tracking, improve engagement monitoring, and better connect members to programs tailored to their needs. The team also supported the Health Promotion director in organizing and executing events across the center.
Reflections:
Eddie J. Sanchez Jr.: “During my BTG experience, I learned so much — not just at my site, but also during the Wednesday sessions where different speakers came to talk with us. We covered all kinds of topics like heart health, quitting smoking, how to handle tough situations calmly, and the overdose crisis. Each session taught me something new and helped me see just how many different areas public health touches. At Center in the Park, what stood out to me most was the joy and positive energy from the seniors. The center does a great job of creating a space where older adults feel welcome, involved, and part of a community. I got to sit in on several health talks given to the seniors, like how to read nutrition labels, the importance of men’s mental health, and how to stay hydrated and avoid heatstroke. I was able to present and teach the importance of oral hygiene. These talks were really eye-opening — not just for me, but for the seniors too. You could tell that a lot of them were learning new things, and they were very engaged and asking questions. It showed me how powerful it can be to share helpful information in a way people can really connect with. All in all, the BTG experience has made a positive impact on my life and showed me a different avenue of healthcare that I did not really think about. Center in the Park has taught me that I work really well with the geriatric community. I am grateful for this experience.”
Human Good, Tioga Presbyterian Apartments
A Community Approach to Senior Care
Student Interns:
Halima Hagag, Temple University, School of Pharmacy
Omonigho Oziegbe, Temple University, School of Podiatric Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Jerome Wright, MSW, LSW, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Jackie Harvey, BA, CESC, Social Service Coordinator, Human Good, Tioga Presbyterian Apartments
Community Site:
Tioga Presbyterian Apartments affordable housing for senior citizens aged 62 and over. The facility is not an assisted living residence. Each resident is responsible for their individual care, but the facility does offer informative and engaging events to the residents for the purpose of education and enrichment. The facility also distributes monthly free food packages.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked to develop weekly events for the residents, and an initiative titled Resident Appreciation Month was created. Events included a health and wellness fair, a pancake breakfast, a plant potting class, and an ice cream social. The interns also coordinated other events for the residents as needed, such as a technology information session. Each event was specifically chosen through a collaborative effort between the community preceptor and the interns based on the needs of community members.
Reflections:
Halima Hagag and Omonigho Oziegbe: “Beginning this program, both of us were not entirely sure what was to come. The expectation seemed to be that the summer would revolve around community service, and it would be a worthy use of our time before classes began again. However, as the program comes to an end, this experience has become invaluable to both of us. To be able to come into contact with every resident and see them not as a patient case, but as an individual, put into perspective how vital it is to keep human connection and compassion at the forefront of our work as healthcare professionals. Each individual has specific needs and feelings, formed by their past experiences, relationships, and traumas. Each person is unique, and as we go on to become healthcare providers, it is important that we never forget to look at each person not just as a patient, but as an individual who sees the world through a lens we may not know — people who want to be heard and understood, with different life perspectives, are always deserving of the best of us.”
Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships
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:
David Baidoo: “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.”
Jessica Kolora: “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.”
Lutheran Settlement House
Lutheran Settlement House
Student Intern:
Mariama Jawara, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Jerome Wright, MSW, LSW, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Lassiter Williams, MSS, LSW, Lutheran Settlement House
Community Site:
Since opening its doors in 1902, the Lutheran Settlement House has consistently served children, adults, and families in the Philadelphia area. As a nonprofit community-based organization, it has remained committed to evolving with the times by offering a wide range of programs and services. Individuals at the Lutheran Settlement House live out its core mission each day: “to empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through an integrated program of social, educational, and advocacy services.”
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern worked with both the staff and the senior members of Lutheran Settlement House. Warmly embraced by its closeknit community of older adults, the intern participated in and assisted with various classes throughout the week and spent time getting to know other members of the Fishtown community outside of the senior center, especially while helping to distribute the annual WIC farmers market vouchers. Everyone was kind, welcoming, and deeply appreciative of the services LSH provides. Lutheran Settlement House is truly a haven for the people of Fishtown.
Reflection:
Mariama Jawara: “My time at Lutheran Settlement House has been a real-life testament to the idiom ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ I entered this establishment knowing I would be working with an elderly population and, therefore, immediately associated them with the typical connotations that come with aging, such as having physical disabilities, potential cognitive declines, and a slower-paced lifestyle after years of enduring the rat race of the Western society. While some of these attributes may technically apply, the elders at Lutheran Settlement House have not allowed the limitations that come with age to stop them from truly living. The members of the Lutheran Settlement House are in constant motion: taking initiative with their physical well-being by participating in hour-long exercise or dance classes, engaging in invigorating conversations about today’s world and their health, volunteering to support peers in need, and continuing to serve others in ways similar to their past professions. They may not be as agile as they once were, but they persevere through it all. This experience has taught me the importance of taking the time necessary to learn about each individual because you never know what they are capable of, or what they might need help with.”
Red Shield Family Residence at the Salvation Army
Exploring Health and Well-Being With Youth at the Red Shield Family Residence
Student Interns:
Muhammad Hussain, Temple University, School of Podiatric Medicine
Nora-Lovette Okwara, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Jerome Wright, MSW, LSW, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Jonathan Schmid, MSW, Assistant Director, Red Shield Family Residence
Community Site:
The Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence is a safe, supportive, trauma-informed emergency housing program located in the Fairmount neighborhood of North Philadelphia. The residence serves families experiencing homelessness by offering compassionate, respectful, nonjudgmental care, with the goal of helping residents achieve emotional stability, goal achievement, and ultimately long-term self-sufficiency. All family configurations are welcomed, including single parents and guardians with children of all ages. In addition to emergency shelter, the Red Shield Family Residence offers intensive case management, parenting support, after-school programs, and summer enrichment activities. The program creates a healing environment grounded in dignity, empowerment, and hope.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked on a project to improve health outcomes among youth in Philadelphia’s historically underserved unhoused population by providing education on key topics such as oral and cardiovascular health through interactive presentations and activities. In addition to promoting health, the project aimed to reduce educational disparities across Philadelphia communities by engaging children in games designed to reinforce and expand their learning beyond the classroom during the summer months. Furthermore, the project sought to cultivate a safe and inclusive environment where youth could explore artistic expression and find relief from the stressors associated with shelter life. Through these efforts, participants were able to develop healthy hygiene behaviors, strengthen their academics, and experience joy in a supportive and welcoming space.
Reflections:
Muhammad Hussain: “Spending time at the Red Shield Family Residence gave me a perspective I didn’t know I was missing. I walked in not entirely sure what to expect but quickly realized how layered and complex homelessness really is. It’s not just about lacking a place to sleep, it’s about trying to hold together a sense of stability, dignity, and, most of all, hope in the face of constant uncertainty. In my short time here, I have met families who were doing everything they could just to get by, and yet still showed warmth, humor, and true resilience. What stayed with me most were the small moments of conversations with parents who were doing their best for their kids, or watching children light up playing board games or water coloring to give them a break from the stress of their situation. I found myself thinking not just about what these families need today, but how systems can better support them long-term. This experience didn’t just teach me about homelessness, it reshaped how I think about care, advocacy, preconceived biases, and what it means to truly meet people where they are.”
Nora-Lovette Okwara: “During my time at the Red Cross Family Residence, I witnessed the overwhelming number of challenges that arise when attempting to eliminate systemic barriers to care. Issues of underfunding and understaffing are pervasive throughout public-sector spaces. At the Residence, every employee wears multiple hats. The janitor, for example, is not only responsible for cleaning but also serves as the facilities manager, repairman, confidant, and the glue holding the building together. He mends not only the cracks in the walls but also those in the very foundation of the public systems in which he works. This summer, through my work with the children in the Bright Spaces and Teen Room, I gained a deeper understanding of the structural challenges inherent in public service. This experience has given me a more realistic and informed perspective on how I can best serve this community with humility, intention, and impact.”
To Our Children’s Future With Health
To Our Children’s Future With Health Summer Achievers
Student Intern:
Hassan Abbas Shenasa, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Jerome Wright, MSW, LSW, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Charmaine Sudler Milligan, Director of Services, To Our Children’s Future With Health, Inc.
Community Site:
To Our Children’s Future With Health, Inc. (TOCFWH) is a community-driven nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by Dr. Robin Foster-Drain. This organization provides many services revolving around education, community health, and mental health for both youth and adults. In addition to these services, TOCFWH collaborates with other organizations to further develop and maintain the Nicetown-Tioga community.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern worked with teachers and other staff at Kenderton Elementary School as part of a summer educational camp. The first half of each day focused primarily on math, English, and reading, while the second half of the day focused more on artistic activities, social and emotional learning, drama, and GSK Science in the Summer. Additionally, a field trip was scheduled each Friday so students could have fun and connect more with their classmates. As part of the Bridging the Gaps program, the intern provided oral health supplies as well as information on cardiovascular and oral health.
Reflection:
Hassan Abbas Shenasa: “Through the BTG CHIP program, I have gained a lot of experience working with children and finding different ways to explain concepts that they may have difficulty with, which is something I believe will be very helpful when working with pediatric patients. Additionally, through my conversations with the staff at TOCFWH, I have heard firsthand accounts of how COVID and recent governmental policies have negatively impacted the Nicetown-Tioga community, and the educational challenges students face as result of these events. I have gained a better understanding of the Nicetown-Tioga community as well as the barriers families face, which ultimately affects their health and access to care. These are experiences that will stay with me throughout my career in medicine, and I believe it will allow me to provide more mindful care to the communities I serve.”