The Chew Avenue Project

 

The Chew Avenue Project is a rehabilitation project to remove a blighted site from a fragile Northwest Philadelphia corridor and turn it into a place of prosperity. The buildings once housed a neighborhood nuisance bar that acted as a drug haven and center for criminal activity. In early 2016, the building, located directly across the street from a city recreational center, was under new ownership and being renovated for a corner stop and go beer store. This potential critical blow to the corridor was met by a resistance effort by Jordan Parisse-Ferrarini, Director of Trades for a Difference and other long-time community residents. The building is again under new ownership, this time in the good hands of the Board of Directors of Trades for a Difference. The would-be beer stop is being converted to Trades for a Difference Community Learning Center. The center will offer career path services, soft-skills training and mentorship programs for young men and women from the surrounding community. The exterior brick wall, visible as you travel the main avenue, will now be the canvas for TFAD's Mural Arts Project. A diverse collective of local artists of all colors, religions and creeds will create the mural. The completed mural will symbolize the re-establishment of community. "The good old days when villages raised children and people actually knew their neighbors’ names, when the old ladies came outside to clean the streets and the kids actually had respect, when police were part of the community and not just policing the community. We need to lift each other up, all races and all people. That is how we get ahead," says Director Parisse. The Chew Avenue Project is underway and the TFAD Community Learning Center looks forward to opening its doors by Fall 2017.

 
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The old bar lounge on Chew avenue & Meehan Street in Mount. Airy was a nuisance to the community. This location was on its way to becoming a stop and go deli. TFAD was able to create a place of prosperity with the development of TFAD's Communit

The old bar lounge on Chew avenue & Meehan Street in Mount. Airy was a nuisance to the community. This location was on its way to becoming a stop and go deli. TFAD was able to create a place of prosperity with the development of TFAD's Community Learning Center.

The home next to the old Ingram bar was abandoned for 15 years before TFAD restored the blighted property

The home next to the old Ingram bar was abandoned for 15 years before TFAD restored the blighted property

Following the completion of the blight removal project. the next step was to commission a community empowerment mural on the side of the building dedicated to the community signifying a positive change within the neighborhood.  This was the re

Following the completion of the blight removal project. the next step was to commission a community empowerment mural on the side of the building dedicated to the community signifying a positive change within the neighborhood.  This was the rendering of what the transformed corner of Chew avenue would look like once construction was completed

The finished rendering of the empowerment mural that was revealed at the grand opening of the TFAD learning center. The mural is slated to be commissioned starting in May 2018

The finished rendering of the empowerment mural that was revealed at the grand opening of the TFAD learning center. The mural is slated to be commissioned starting in May 2018

Year to date, the overhaul of the once dilapidated structure is complete and TFAD's Community Learning Center is now open The center became operational April 3rd 2108 after the TFAD grand opening.

Year to date, the overhaul of the once dilapidated structure is complete and TFAD's Community Learning Center is now open The center became operational April 3rd 2108 after the TFAD grand opening.

The current view of Trades For A difference from the outside

The current view of Trades For A difference from the outside

The inside of the proposed learning center before TFAD began construction. This image displays the inside of the building from the basement all the way to the third floor.

The inside of the proposed learning center before TFAD began construction. This image displays the inside of the building from the basement all the way to the third floor.

The inside of the learning center features a commissioned piece by Artist Serena Saunders. The center features a interchanging layout to accommodate various events and setups with multiple computer stations and a projector for various uses

The inside of the learning center features a commissioned piece by Artist Serena Saunders. The center features a interchanging layout to accommodate various events and setups with multiple computer stations and a projector for various uses