Anavi Strategies

Philadelphia has been named the world’s first Playful Learning City! 🎉

This recognition highlights how public spaces can support children’s learning in ways that extend beyond the classroom. Philly has embedded learning opportunities into everyday environments across the city. Eleven Playful Learning installations are available across the city.

Congratulations to the partners, educators, researchers, and community members who helped make this achievement possible.

Check out the article here to learn more and to see all 11 locations!
https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-worlds-first-playful-learning-ciity/

Article and photo by Peter Crimmins for WHYY

What makes a community truly connected? 🚃

Transit-oriented development is about more than transportation. By creating walkable neighborhoods near public transit with access to housing, jobs, businesses, and services, communities can expand opportunity while reducing barriers to mobility. Research shows these developments can support economic growth, healthier lifestyles, and greater independence for residents of all ages.

As cities and regions think about the future, investments that connect people to opportunity will continue to play an important role in building more livable communities.

Read the full report from AARP here: https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/livable-communities/transportation/transit-oriented-development/

Looking for practical ways to support your heart health? ❤️

Join Vetri Community Partnership’s free Cooking for Heart Health series beginning Monday, July 13. Over four weekly hands-on classes, participants will learn heart-healthy cooking techniques, prepare affordable and approachable recipes, enjoy a shared lunch, and take home weekly giveaways.

📅 Mondays, July 13-August 3, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
📍 915 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia

Participants who complete the series will also receive a $25 grocery store gift card after the final class.

Healthy eating starts with simple skills, great recipes, and a supportive community. 🍅 🥔 🥕 🫑 🥒

Register at www.vetricommunity.org/classes-events

From our friends at :

As we celebrate the 250th in the nation’s birthplace, the fun shouldn’t just be “on the Parkway” or “on the mall” - it should be in every Philly neighborhood.

Working with the City of Philadelphia and neighborhood community groups, Philadelphia250 has developed a citywide calendar of festivals, markets, and cultural events designed to bring the Semiquincentennial celebrations to every Philadelphia neighborhood, drive foot traffic, and support local businesses.

Check out the full calendar 👆🏽

Philly summers are HOT! ☀️🌡️ Our neighborhoods need cool, safe pools to cool off, and we cannot open pools without lifeguards. ⛱️

is hiring 400+ lifeguards this season. Pay starts at $16.85/hr. All ages 16+ welcome!

Beat the heat AND get paid. Email [email protected] to join the team. 🛟🏊

Now that is officially underway, our colleagues have put together an FAQ to answer all of your questions!

Need something else? Follow here on Instagram 🎨🎭🧑🏾‍🩰

Yesterday our team had the pleasure of facilitating a large team retreat with a new client. We love the experience of in-person engagements where we get to conduct robust conversations with teams of all sizes.

It is always great to dig into the strengths and challenges of different organizations to see how we may help them increase their internal and external impact.

We’re excited to partner with Vetri Community Partnership on a strategic planning process that will help shape the organization’s next chapter.

Our team is looking forward to supporting thoughtful reflection, landscape and program analysis, and future-focused planning that builds on Vetri Community Partnership’s incredible impact across Philadelphia and beyond. We’re grateful for the opportunity to work together to help strengthen the health and wellbeing of communities through this important work.

Do you know a young Philly creator and future influencer? 🎥📱

This summer, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is bringing back , a paid youth influencer program for ages 12 to 24.
Participants will create content, cover events, spotlight Philly’s parks and green spaces, and gain real world experience in digital media and storytelling. 🌳

If you know someone who is ready to get creative, get outside, and represent Philly, applications are open now through June 1 at the link below!

https://www.phila.gov/2026-05-15-get-paid-to-create-join-the-touchgrassphilly-youth-influencer-program-this-summer/

Our teammate Stephanie recently completed the Project Management Certification program at Temple University School of Continuing Education! We are proud of her hard work and dedication to professional development. The new PM skills she will bring to the team will be invaluable. 🎉

Stephanie had to say on the program, “One of the most valuable parts of the program was learning how all of the little pieces of the puzzle work together to support a successful project. The courses helped me think more intentionally about planning, documentation, communication, and anticipating challenges before they arise”.

Congratulations, Stephanie! 🎓