By Imani Stewart-Jackson, Philly Counts Digital Engagement and Communications Manager
Philly Counts was originally created to support the 2020 Census. Since February 2021, the Philly Counts office has been supporting the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and other community partners in getting Philadelphians the COVID-19 vaccine. We have been able to engage 23,000 residents by phone calls, text messages, canvassing, and pop-up clinics. Our work has been greatly supported by our partnership with the Philanthropy Network of Greater Philadelphia.
A part of our partnership with the Philanthropy Network of Greater Philadelphia is supporting and training ambassadors to go out in the community to have conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine. The Philly Counts Ambassador Program is a paid, ten-week organizing and workforce development program. The program was launched on June 10, 2021, giving Ambassadors the opportunity to work in priority neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia —as identified by Philly Counts in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. This first cohort was comprised of 18 Ambassadors.
Ambassadors collaborate with Philly Counts organizers as they build neighborhood groups and coalitions, plan neighborhood engagement activities and events, recruit volunteers, interact with community members through canvassing door-door, community conversations, and phone bank. Ambassadors learn, practice, and execute community organizing tactics that will be useful now and in the future.
All Ambassadors must complete a capstone project. The capstone assignment for this cohort was to put together an event centered around getting children 12 and up vaccinated. This cohort worked in the following priority neighborhoods: Belmont, Cobbs Creek, Eastwick, Frankford, Wister, Grays Ferry, Haddington, Hunting Park, Kingsessing, Lawndale, Logan, Mantua, North Central, Paschall, Strawberry Mansion, Whitman, Harrogate, Somerton. Priority neighborhoods will change as vaccination rates continue to increase.
The second cohort is starting soon!
The next cohort of Ambassadors will begin October 5, 2021, and the deadline to apply is September 6, 2021. Do you want to apply? See the requirements below:
- Ambassadors must be passionate about serving their communities
- Ambassadors must commit 20 hours per week working with Philly Counts and complete an initial Ambassador training to receive appropriate organizing and public health information about vaccines, vaccine distribution, and Philly Counts’ strategies and goals.
This program is for people aged 18 and over. Ambassadors will be paid weekly at a rate of $300.00/week. Please see the full job description here.
