Newsletter: With Thankful & Committed Hearts, We Rise for Philadelphia’s Children
As we enter this season of gratitude, I’m reflecting on the incredible strength and promise of Philadelphia’s young people—and the responsibility we share to ensure that every child has what they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Recent federal actions are already creating real challenges for schools and families. Cuts to essential supports—like Title I, disability services, and mental-health resources—will impact classrooms quickly. And changes to federal aid will make it harder for our recent graduates to access the higher education and career pathways they’ve worked so hard for.
But this moment is not only about what’s being taken away. It’s about what we choose to stand for.
Philadelphia has always risen by coming together. When systems fall short, our community steps up—with clarity, courage, and a shared belief that our children deserve more than the status quo.
So, we’re asking the questions that matter:
- Are our children learning?
- Are they becoming the confident, qualified graduates they deserve to be?
- Are we building a school system that expands and unlocks opportunity rather than limits it?
If the answer is not a resounding yes, then this moment is our call to action.
Federal shifts may destabilize systems, but they must not deter us. Not now. Not ever. This moment calls us to act with courage, urgency, and unity. Together, we must expand high-quality school options, strengthen the educator workforce, and protect every young person’s pathway to a bright and secure future. We can only do this together.
This Thanksgiving, I’m asking you to honor your gratitude with action by joining us as a 215 Changemaker — a community of supporters standing up for every child in this city.
Click Here to Become a 215 Changemaker
Your support fuels the work ahead: expanding our reach to more schools, deepening our teacher pathways, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to build the systems families rely on.
Thank you for being part of this movement. Thank you for caring as deeply as we do. And thank you for helping us build a Philadelphia where every child has the chance to thrive.
Peace and Blessings –
Stacy
Stacy E. Holland, Ed.D.
Executive Director, Elevate 215