PHENND Fellows: Mitzvah Circle Youth Engagement Coordinator

Since 2009, Mitzvah Circle has helped provide families living in financial crises with essential supplies not covered by government assistance programs. The ability to navigate daily life is predicated on ready access to basic necessities. Mitzvah Circle is not faith-based, and we are the only organization in southeastern PA that quickly meets the material needs of whole families, delivering directly to doors. We serve people struggling with poverty, serious illness, crisis, and homelessness, filling a huge, unmet need without barriers or bureaucracy. Our services are often the only way people in areas of deepest poverty can access basic necessities. This provision of life's essential items enables recipients to face crises with dignity and hope. Mitzvah Circle works towards their mission through direct services to families, a 300 organizations strong partner network, and through engagement with a corps of volunteers.

This project is a part of the PHENND Fellows VISTA program housed at the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND). PHENND is a network of over 25 colleges and universities that strengthens service-learning, civic engagement, and community partnership in Philadelphia.