A Scene from Stapeley in Germantown
unexpected pleasures in Germantown
schools and education in Germantown
a community that cares
A Community That Cares
Germantown residents are known for their community involvement. Many blocks have block organizations, and neighborhood groups are an important part of community planning. August, 1996, marked the beginning of a collaborative effort by neighbors, businesses, and other Germantown institutions to improve the quality of life in the area. And Germantown has always been home to a wide variety of humanitarian institutions.
Community-Wide Resources and Projects
| Contact Information | Notes |
| Germantown Community Connection 35 W. Chelten Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144 revnemuth@aol.com bettyturner1@gmail.com |
Germantown Community Connection is a BRIDGE that connects all of Germantown's community groups in conversation and action around the common issues, concerns and priorities of importance to us all. |
| Germantown United Community Development Corporation | A community-based development corporation whose projects represent the diversity, unique history, and future potential of Germantown. |
| Germantown Newspapers | Check out News, Events and Activities with the Germantown Chronicle, the NEW local voice of the Germantown community. |
| Friends of Vernon Park 215-843-5007 |
Neighborhood support group for Vernon Park. |
| Vernon Park Rain Garden Project Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership |
A group of over 20 Germantown stakeholders working together on a series of improvement projects in Vernon Park, including a rain garden and rain barrel installation. |
| Greater Germantown Business Association 5555 Wissahickon Ave., Suite 719 Philadelphia, PA 19144-4540 |
The Greater Germantown Business Association was created to both encourage new businesses and support established businesses on and near the Germantown Avenue Business corridor. Our goal is to establish a "Green Business District" in Germantown. |
| Central Germantown Council | CGC is a nonprofit community development corporation that began operation in 1981. The mission of CGC is to improve the Central Germantown area through economic development. |
| Liberation Fellowship Community Development Corporation | Liberation Fellowship CDC focuses on the leadership development of urban youth and adults because we believe that value based leadership is transformative - i.e., it changes people so that they can change the world - and is the principled catalyst that will inspire robust and sustainable community development. |
Neighborhood and Block Organizations
| Contact Information | Notes |
| West Central Germantown Neighbors | West Central Germantown Neighbors (WCGN) is a community volunteer organization dedicated to improving and maintaining the quality of life in our neighborhood. |
| rev·o·lu·tion·ize W Rockland Street | W Rockland Street is a 1-block residential street in the Germantown section of Philadelphia (19144) located between Greene St and Germantown Ave in the 39th Police District. rev·o·lu·tion·ize W Rockland Street will [slowly] document our efforts to improve our street, while serving as an example of what one Philadelphia city block can do to change its future. Think progress. |
| Blue Bell Hill Civic Association | Blue Bell Hill straddles the Germantown and West Mount Airy neighborhoods, with most residents in Germantown 19144, others in Mt. Airy 19119. Blue Bell Hill is bounded by Wissahickon Avenue, Walnut Lane, Cliveden Street (both sides, 19119), and the north/east edge of Fairmount Park. It includes residential streets between Walnut Lane and the park, Rittenhouse Town, as well as nearby residents who identify with our community. |
| Chew and Belfield Neighbors Club | The Chew and Belfield Neighbors Club, Inc. (CBNC) is a 501(c)(3) community organization located in the northwest section of Philadelphia, PA. This organization was founded on prayer and volunteerism since 1981. It works to create a cleaner, safer and eco-friendly enviorment for the entire community. |
Some Germantown Helping Institutions
| Contact Information | Notes |
| Whosoever Gospel Mission 101 East Chelten Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144-2132 (215) 438-3094 |
The Whosoever Gospel Mission is a Christian nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide shelter, food, clothing, education, counseling, rehabilitation and other assistance to homeless and/or needy men, women and children in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area. |
| Friends Free Library of Germantown 5418 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-951-2300 |
A community resource for more than one hundred years. |
| Friends of the Northwest Regional Library Chelten Ave. and Greene St. Philadelphia, PA 19144 |
A very active support group for Germantown's excellent public library. |
| Northwest Victim Services, 6376 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-438-4410 |
Help victims of crime to cope with the stresses of the criminal justice system. Speakers available. |
| Face to Face Germantown | Face to Face is a human services organization which provides free meals, nurse-managed health care, legal and social services, computer training, creative arts studios, and children’s after school and summer programming. Focusing on the power of human connection, Face to Face creates encounters of hospitality, mutuality, and transformation in the Germantown community. |
| Center in the Park 5818 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144 |
Founded in 1968, Center in the Park is a non-profit community center in Northwest Philadelphia primarily focused on the needs of older people. |
| Wesley Enhanced Living at Stapeley 6300 Greene St. Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-844-0700 |
A non-sectarian retirement community offering Independent Living, personal care, and skilled nursing care on a wooded five-acre campus. |
Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia (formerly Summerbridge) |
An innovative program to help young people of limited means prepare for college. Under its new management, it continues its partnership with Germantown Friends School. |
Community Gardens and Farmers Markets
| Contact Information | Notes |
| Germantown Kitchen Garden | A new effort to grow fresh produce for the Germantown community. The farm is just beginning. Follow its progress on its blog. |
| Old Tennis Court Farm | The Old Tennis Court Farm is established by Germantown Monthly Meeting in the tradition of Quakers to grow food, promote sustainable living, and nurture friendly interactions among neighbors. This urban farm is intended to encourage a shared vision of a splendid green space. |
| Church Lane Garden 234-48 Church Lane Philadelphia PA 19144 |
Founded in 1978, this vegetable and flower garden is a Neighborhood Gardens Association member. |
| Hansberry Garden and Nature Center 5150 Wayne Ave Philadelphia, PA 19144 |
The Hansberry Garden and Nature Center is a community garden and resource for environmental education in Southwest Germantown at Wayne and Hansberry. |
| Mastery Pickett Community Garden |
Located on the campus of Mastery Charter School, Wayne and Chelten Ave, this garden welcomes both student and neighborhood volunteers. |
