2015
Responding to the fact that more than 50% of Philadelphia school children enter 4th grade unable to read on grade level, PCCY leads a groundbreaking effort to convene organize Read by 4th, a six-year collective impact strategy. The campaign has since leveraged $30.4 million in private funding and redirected millions more in public funds to after school programs and summer camps that promote early literacy.
PCCY’s groundbreaking research reveals that a shocking 85% of parents of undocumented children delay or forgo medical care for their children because they don’t have health insurance. This finding motivates PCCY to launch the Dream Care Coalition to change state policy that makes 24,000 undocumented children ineligible to enroll in public health insurance. The coalition, which subsequently grows to over 75 health care and social justice organizations, educates state leaders about the importance of covering all kids.
PCCY sparks a new and creative dialogue about school funding by commissioning “School Play,” an original theatrical production based on 4,000 letters from students and 100 interviews about the state of Pennsylvania schools. The show completes a 13-city tour reaching over 1,000 parents and community members, many of whom write letters and postcards to their legislators demanding increased funding for public schools.
PCCY’s Children’s Pledge, endorsed by 29 leading child-serving organizations in Philadelphia, is signed by every major candidate for Mayor. The pledge commits these candidates to direct more city funding to schools, universal pre-k and upgrades to libraries and recreation centers.