RCP Cohort 1
Mohammed, He/Him, 16
Originally from Bangladesh, Mohammed came to Philadelphia and immediately felt an urge to connect with his newfound neighbors.
“I want my community to be united. I want my community to be free and safe. And for that it is very important for me to learn more things and practice it in real life. I think real life lessons give us the knowledge which the books can’t give us.”
Micah, He/Him, 15
On day one of the Restorative Community Project, we asked everyone to share what our space would look like if we could be in person. Micah replied, “the room would expand as our knowledge continues to grow.”
Later, when asked how Collective Climb has empowered him, he shared,
”Collective Climb empowers me because in Collective Climb, I dig deeper into my mind and find the answer within me and I see the world from new perspectives.”
![Jazaret, She/Her, 18Jazaret joins us from South Philly in search of skills to lead discussions around trauma for members of her community. In the midst of learning, she has shared that she finds this work healing, personally as well. Further, she enjoys the program so much that “[she] wake[s] up early on Saturday mornings for this!”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f15e58859279e2b4f8b6139/1622226674967-5FYJTS9U6YRNJSFXWCOR/50.png)
Jazaret, She/Her, 18
Jazaret joins us from South Philly in search of skills to lead discussions around trauma for members of her community. In the midst of learning, she has shared that she finds this work healing, personally as well.
Further, she enjoys the program so much that “[she] wake[s] up early on Saturday mornings for this!”
Brandon, He/Him, 16
Brandon joined the Restorative Community Project because he believes, “In order for me to see change nationwide, I’d first want to see a change in the city I grew up in. And the neighborhood I grew up in.” After learning about Black Liberation and Indigenous Decolonization, he now considers himself a part of those movements for freedom.
Sahfeeah, She/Her, 18
Sahfeeah is a West Philly native with an eye for fashion and a commitment to take care of her people.
Why do you think community safety matters?
"I think community safety matters because I don’t want anyone in my neighborhood to get hurt especially the ones who are younger than me."
How does Collective Climb empower you?
"It made me feel very comfortable being around a small group of people engaging in topics, having a voice, and sharing ideas and listening."
Basir, He/Him, 17
Another West Philly native, Basir joined RCP to find tangible solutions to look after his community.
How does Collective Climb empower you?
“Collective Climb empowers all of us in a different way, with me I say it empowers me because the fact that I can connect with others that share similar goals to mine and have positive feedback along with their own ideas to share along. It gives me more drive to seek more knowledge about my community.”
Naeem, He/Him, 20
Naeem loves West Philadelphia, and he has high hopes for it to return to the way he remembers it as a child— “connected.” He joined this program to usher in that work on his own block. In the midst of it, he’s internalized ways to be restorative with himself as well.
![Destiny, She/Her, 18Destiny joined RCP already a known activist in the city. She has elevated the visibility of foster youth and advocated for an end to gun violence. She joined this program because in her view, “[her] community is in critical condition.” Anything she can learn will help her be a part of the solution. She will take these skills with her to college this year at Spelman (Atlanta, GA).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f15e58859279e2b4f8b6139/1622226714609-3F817HB8S2U6619VC76B/54.png)
Destiny, She/Her, 18
Destiny joined RCP already a known activist in the city. She has elevated the visibility of foster youth and advocated for an end to gun violence. She joined this program because in her view, “[her] community is in critical condition.” Anything she can learn will help her be a part of the solution. She will take these skills with her to college this year at Spelman (Atlanta, GA).