Ready, Willing & Able - Philadelphia

09/04/2019

Yesterday, RWA Philadelphia “Men in Blue” came in full force to support the Goldberg Group’s Red Carpet Event at E.M. Stanton Elementary School. Everyone enjoyed cheering on the students as they made their way down the red carpet for the first day back to school!

07/27/2019

Meet RWA Philadelphia’s new Executive Director and Deputy Director!

On March 11, 2019, Colandra Coleman was hired by the Urban Affairs Coalition as RWA Philadelphia’s Executive Director. MS. Coleman, a Philadelphian, is a graduate of The George Washington University in Washington,
DC and has had an extensive career in the non-profit world. Before coming to RWA, she served as Executive Director of a
Maryland-based agency that operates two (2) overnight shelters and a day center for singles and families experiencing homelessness. Ms. Coleman is dedicated to helping the homeless
population achieve self-sufficiency and independence and is uniquely positioned to help RWA Philadelphia address the continuing and new challenges of those experiencing homelessness.

Ruth Salters, also a Philadelphian, is no stranger to RWA Philadelphia. A graduate of Lincoln University in Philadelphia, PA, Ms. Salters has spent more than 10 years providing case management, career development, employment/housing retention, and other services to the “Men in Blue.” Ms. Salters also served as Interim Executive Director, managing the day to day operations while still personally providing a multitude of direct services. Ms. Coleman recently appointed her to Deputy Director in order to combine their expertise and continue moving the organization forward. Known affectionately as “Ms. Ruth,” she is credited by hundreds of graduates for permanently changing their lives, both during the program and after graduation.

05/08/2017

09/24/2016

Stop by RWA this morning.

09/06/2016

We're grateful to be partnering with the National Fair Housing Alliance and proud to be featured in their new report, “Investing in Inclusive Communities.” The report outlines how NFHA and 13 of its partners invested $27 million in community support grants after an investigation into the maintenance of foreclosures in African American and Latino communities.

As we continue to celebrate our 15th anniversary throughout the year, this generous grant will help launch a pilot project this fall allowing us to reconnect with and support many individuals in our community of Ready, Willing & Able - Philadelphia Graduates! At the conclusion of the project, we will be able to share greater insight into the issues that these men have faced, and demonstrate how important your support is to their continued success.

http://www.nationalfairhousing.org/Portals/33/2016-08-26_Investing_in_Inclusive_Communities.PDF

08/26/2016

Shahid just got back from where he watched his son, Shakur, represent Team USA in boxing and become an Olympic silver medalist! Shahid is a security guard at Ready, Willing & Able - Philadelphia, student at Community College of Philadelphia, and this week's star of our 15th anniversary series, "Men In Blue of Philadelphia"!

"In the past, I moved from city to city, hoping that would be the difference I needed, but I always ended up in the same situation, just living in a different place. When I got to Philadelphia, I noticed Ready, Willing & Able guys cleaning LOVE Park and when I found out who they were, I wanted to be a part of that too.

Ready, Willing & Able gave me the structure and accountability that I needed, but with the respect that I felt I deserved. That was the perfect combination for me."

To read the rest of Shahid's story and meet all of the other men who have been featured during this project, please visit www.MIBofPHL.com!

08/22/2016

We're so happy for and proud of Shakur Stephenson, son of Ready, Willing & Able - Philadelphia's Shahid! Shakur represented Team USA in boxing at the in and won a silver medal!

Shahid was even able to get the chance to visit Rio and cheer on his son in person!

08/03/2016

We're excited to have Lawrence Adams join the Ready, Willing & Able - Philadelphia team! He is a 2015 Graduate and will now be serving as a staff member and our new Adult Continuing Education Coordinator.

Lawrence will be working with the students and volunteer tutors who participate in our reading, writing, and math classes and he will also be teaching our computer literacy courses, which he actually taught himself while still a trainee in the program.

Welcome, Lawrence!

08/01/2016

Everyone at Ready, Willing & Able - Philadelphia will be rooting for Shakur Stevenson as he represents the United States in boxing at the upcoming in ! Shakur is the son of Shahid, a 2013 Ready, Willing & Able Graduate and now a staff member in our security department. Shahid was interviewed for the following article from NJ.com about his pride for his son's achievements as well as his personal journey to success.

"He (Shahid) moved to Philadelphia to get away from the wrong crowd in his home city, enrolled in a program called "Ready, Willing and Able" that helps people battling addiction, homelessness and criminal recidivism. He graduated in 2013 and, on its website, the organization called him a 'shining example of the program's strength and success.'"

http://www.nj.com/olympics/index.ssf/2016/07/rio_2016_shakur_stevenson_carries_the_weight_of_his_sport_and_city_into_the_olympics_politi.html

Shakur Stevenson isn't just fighting for himself in Rio de Janeiro. He is fighting for his family, his city and his sport.

07/29/2016

Howard is a 2009 Ready, Willing & Able - Philadelphia graduate and this week's star of our 15th anniversary series, "Men In Blue of Philadelphia"! Meet him below and read his entire story at www.MIBofPHL.com!

"Before I got to Ready, Willing & Able, I lost everything. I lost my family, my home, my job, even my car. I lost my whole life and I had to start over. I knew that I wanted to get back the things that were gone, but also didn't want my grandkids to see me live in that way. I wanted to be a role model.

Over the past few years I didn't just regain the things I lost like my family and home, but I found goals and a positive outlook. I have a purpose today."

07/26/2016

We are so grateful for the first incredibly generous donation of suits we received from the Men's Wearhouse National Suit Drive!

And there's still time to show your support! Donate a new or gently used item of professional clothing to your nearest store location by this Sunday, July 31 and help the "men in blue"!

Visit menswearhouse.com/nationalsuitdrive to find the store nearest to you and learn more about the campaign.