ANNUAL REPORT 2008 ~ growing and sustaining a community of readers, writers, and thinkers in north central philadelphia ~

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Letter from the President of the Board of Directors 3

Letter from the Executive Director 4

Program Report: Growing and Sustaining 6

Timeline 2008 8 Statement of Activities 10

Summary of Financial Activities & Future Goals 11

Thank you to our Donors and Partners 12

Board of Directors and Staff 13

Volunteer Staff 14

How You can Help 15

Story Quilt 16

Excerpts from The Ave. Magazine 17

CONTENTs

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Frederick Douglass’s words clearly embody the spirit of Tree House Books. At Tree House Books, we seek to grow and sustain a community of readers, writers and thinkers in North Central Philadelphia. We do this with the strong belief that books, and those that write them and read them, are the most powerful and uplifting force on the planet. Books are at once a tool, a sanctuary, a journey, and a joy. If we can build a community of people who come together around books, then we are truly doing great work.

2008 will be remembered as a difficult year for the United States and for the entire world. Yet at Tree House, we will remember 2008 as a year of great growth. We reached a number of significant milestones. We reached significantly more people through our programs, we sold more books, and we had more volunteers than ever in our brief history. We finalized our 501(c)(3) status. And perhaps most significantly, 2008 saw our Executive Director grow from being a part-time consultant to being a full-time employee. I believe Tree House’s ability to thrive in such challenging times is a testament to the simple power of books, as both a refuge and as a way to understand the world. It is also a wonderful example of Margaret Mead’s “small group of thoughtful, committed people” changing the world.

It was indeed a very small group that started Tree House Books in 2004. A local Community Development Corporation had commissioned a study to support revitalization of the commercial corridor on Susquehanna Avenue. This study identified a number of retail uses that could help rebuild the corridor. These included an arts and crafts supply store, moderately priced ethnic restaurants, an independent coffeehouse, and a used bookstore. Inspired by this report, six diverse members of the community formed an advisory committee to explore the creation of a used bookstore. It quickly became apparent that a used bookstore would not be commercially viable. However, our group saw that we could create something that looked and felt like a bookstore, but was really much more.

Tree House Books has continued to evolve from that point. It has become many things: a bookstore, a writing workshop, an open-mic venue, a homework support center, a gathering place, and a theater. Our “group” continues to change and grow as well. Tree House works because of the wide variety of people involved: its board, its staff, volunteers, neighborhood students, community members, customers, Temple faculty, and Temple students. In fact, the collaborative nature of Tree House is a key to its magic and its great strength. It is a place that welcomes ideas and contributions from any who offer them. We have many plans and great hopes for the future. Our greatest hope is that all who read this will continue to help us grow and sustain this great community of readers, writers, and thinkers.

Jonathan Weiss, President

“Once you learn to read,you will be forever free.”

-Frederick Douglass-

“At Tree House Books, we seek to grow and sustain a community of readers, writers and thinkers in North Central Philadelphia.

We do this with the strong belief that books, and those that write them and read them, are the most powerful and uplifting force on the planet.”

Nyah, age 11, defines Tree House Books:

Tree House Books means a good place to read books and get them. It means listen and silence. It is a world of imagination, and a world that you can be yourself in, and read all different kind of books.

LETTER FROM THE PREsIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORs

Jonathan Weiss, the Tree House Board President, with Executive

Director, Darcy Sebright

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If you stand at the window of Tree House Books on any given day, you may see a variety of activities unfold which, taken together, might appear a bit out of the ordinary. Maybe you will see children creating as many poems as possible to hang, glue, or magnetically attach to a metal spatula. You may see, on that same day, a group of children and adults gathered around a wooden table, taking turns to share one thing they each would like to accomplish in that year, while eating a snack of crackers and pomegranate seeds. Earlier that afternoon, you would see an adult volunteer sitting with a group of two or three children, walking through some sticky part of a homework assignment, maybe creating a game with a chalkboard to get the point across. You would see passersby stopping in to buy books or to ask a question about an upcoming community event.

At Tree House Books, we do extraordinary things everyday. Our mission calls forth the extraordinary in ourselves and in others: We are growing and sustaining a community of readers, writers, and thinkers in North Central Philadelphia. Our neighborhood has a history of economic and educational disadvantages—most residents probably do not consider themselves to be readers, writers, and thinkers. In our neighborhood, 43.8% of families are at or below the poverty level, and gun violence is a serious problem—our zip code has had the highest number of victims each year, accounting for 65% of the 7 to 24-year-old gunshot victims in the city. The statistics for our community also show a narrow window of reading proficiency. Although sixth graders in the state of Pennsylvania demonstrated a reading proficiency score of 66.9% on the 2008 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), this percentage narrows to 40.3% in the School District of Philadelphia. However, this percentage contracts to just 17.1% at one of the neighborhood schools.

Khala Wharton is 13 years old and a Junior Staff Member. She has been coming to Tree House Books for 4 years.

When asked to define Tree House Books she stated, “It means to help kids with their academics, and to make a better community for the people of this neighborhood.”

One day Khala would like to read an entire section of books.

Percentage of families in our zip code that are ator below the poverty level.

43.8

Percentage of 7 to 24 year-old gunshot victims found in our zip code alone.

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LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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The statistics of our community are difficult to read and difficult for the community members to live inside of, and the scope of need is daunting. So Tree House Books must be extraordinary. And, in fact, the methods we use, our bold mission, and the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers, staff, and participants have produced these remarkable results in 2008:

The Magazine Workshop staff, made up of neighborhood kids and adult volunteers, logged 825 hours to create the first two editions of The Ave., which is the Tree House Books magazine.

Tree House Books gave away 1,305 books.

We created three new programs this year to more fully accommodate the needs and interests of the neighborhood: the Word Planting Project, the Tree Shade Summer Program, and the Junior Staff Member Program.

Our team of volunteers contributed 2,600 hours to support the mission of Tree House Books.

We served 300 community members at our workshops, Tutoring Time, and community events.

I am surprised by the results of our work—we have had little to work with, in many ways. For most of the year, I was employed part-time at Tree House, and I was the only paid staff person. For several months, funds for supplies were limited. Although the extraordinary creativity and teamwork of the Tree House family created abundance, the work ahead is still abundant. “If we’re going to transform North Philadelphia, we’re going to need a really big team.” I’ve spoken this phrase several times to the volunteers and young adults at Tree House Books. Now, I write this phrase to you. We are excited about the possibilities of the year ahead, and we hope to grow our team with the support of more people who have an extraordinary commitment to North Philadelphia. We hope to work alongside you this year.

Warmly—

Darcy Sebright, Executive Director

If we’re going to transform North Philadelphia, we’re going

to need a really big team.

Pomegranate snack at the end of “Tutoring Time.”

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GROWING AND sUsTAININGIn response to North Central Philadelphia’s economic and educational disadvantages, Tree House has developed several community education projects:

• TUTORING TIME: provides homework support and academic assistance for school-age children from the community. The program operates four afternoons a week, Tuesday to Friday, from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Once homework is completed, the children have free choice reading or can choose to participate in the project for the day, which might be an art activity, theatre games, knitting, or playing chess. • MAGAZINE PROJECT: produces and publishes a local “magazine,” written and designed by and for neighborhood residents. We run a weekly workshop, which hosts guest artists and provides an opportunity for children, teens, and adults to create writing and art projects together. • BOOK sTORE: is stocked with new and lightly-used books. We specialize in children’s books and African- American literature. We offer books at affordable prices to encourage reading. • COMMUNITY EVENTs: Tree House hosts special events every month, such as holiday parties, open microphone readings, writing and art workshops. Our events have been well attended.

Number of books that Tree House gave awayin 2008.

1,305

Hours to create the first two editions of “The Ave” magazine.

825

Hours contributed by volunteers to support our mission.

2,600

A storyteller from Keepers of the Culture teaches rhythmic drumming.

Duckrey students hold up their new holiday gift books from Tree House.

A young boy works on his painting during a summer painting workshop led by guest artist Giovanni Casadei.

PROGRAM REPORT

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NEW PROGRAMs PILOTED in 2008• JUNIOR sTAFF PROGRAM: This program allows our young adult members to use their reading, writing, and creative skills to assist younger children in the local community. After successfully completing an application and interview process, Junior Staff members are mentored and trained as leaders. • WORD PLANTING PROJECT: In the Spring of 2008, Tree House had the opportunity to take a writing workshop “on the road” to fourth graders at nearby Tanner G. Duckrey School. • TREE sHADE sUMMER PROGRAM: Tree House piloted our first summer program in 2008. We provided summer activities for 20 school-age children from the local community. The program operated for 9 weeks during the summer, and each 3-week segment had a theme: “Exploring our Corner: Philly Changes,” “ArtStories: Making Art through Stories; Making Stories through Art,” and “Feed: Gardening and Gathering at Tree House.” Instructors developed a curriculum supported by books that was relevant, appropriate, and engaging for the student participants. Instructors introduced the theme and prepared the children for a theme-related field trip to venues including the Franklin Fountain and the Rodin Sculpture Museum. The staff supported literacy development with art projects, guest speakers, and performances developed by the children. Each 3-week unit culminated in an opportunity to share what we learned with neighbors and family. The participants hosted an Open Mic reading, an art gallery reception, and a garden party.

Nyseem, age 14 and a Junior Staff Member, defines Tree House Books:

In my own words, Tree House Books is a place where young children and young adults come to seek help from older and more experienced adults. They help young children and young adults with homework or just maybe even something to talk about.

Summer Shade participants play a game outside of the Franklin Fountain.

Pre-K students from Duckreyvisit for a Halloween storytime.

A writing game during theWord Planting Project with4th graders at Duckrey.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

TIMELINE 2008Danielle Mancinelli becomes the Tree House intern through Temple’s Internship Program.

Spanish Club begins during Tutoring Time.

Tree House begins partnership with Temple’s Architecture Department.

Valentine’s Day Open Mic Celebration:Sorority Delta Sigma Theta assists and begins relationship with Tree House Books.

Temple University Architecture students lead workdays. Tree House children help build our back-lot garden.

Spring Party during Tutoring Time.

The renovation of the Playhouse space is completed.

Tree House Books featured at Temple’s Spring Fling.

Verizon Grant Award Ceremony:Temple University President Ann Weaver Hart is our special guest.

Tree House begins partnership with Temple’s Theater Department.

First Temple Student production performed in Tree House’s Playhouse space.

Junior Staff Member Program is launched!

Tree Shade Summer Program Pilot begins.

Tree House participates in the Susquehanna Avenue Festival.

The Tree Shade Program visits the special artist book collection at the Temple University Library.

Second Temple Student production performed in the THB Playhouse.

Cinco de Mayo celebration during Tutoring Time.

First Board of Directors Retreat.

Thefirsteditionof“TheAve.” is released.

Writing Workshop Pilot Program with 4th graders at the Tanner G. Duckrey School: The Word Planting Project.

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Tree House hosts a Summer Open Mic & Art Gallery Night for the community.

Junior Staff Member and Summer Volunteer Staff Appreciation Lunch.

Junior Staff Members are acknowledged for their work with a special Jamaican dinner!

Mike Reid joins Tree House Staff.

Painter Giovanni Casadei leads a painting workshop for children.

Children participate in an architecture workshop with members from Stimulant Design.

The Tree Shade Program hosts storytellers from the Keepers of the Culture.

The Tree Shade Program travels to the Franklin Fountain for ice cream!

The Tree Shade Program visits the Rodin Sculpture Museum.

We host an end-of-the-summer Garden Party in our completed back-lot garden.

First Volunteer Training and Orientation Session,led by Elizabeth Earnshaw & Star Bocasan.

The Junior League hosts a workshop on Gardening and Pumpkins.

Jewelry-making Workshop, led by Ta’lannaMonique Dickerson.

First Thanksgiving Service Learning Project, including visiting with residents of Susquehanna Village.

First Holiday Book Sale at Temple University

Holiday Party & Open Mic! Guest artists include Tamesha Hawkins, Ryan Eckes, Eli Goldblatt, Danielle Barren, & Sigmund Washington.

Junior Staff Members try Indian food for the first time at our holiday dinner.

Phi Sigma Sigma adopts Tree House Books as its local philanthropy.

Kindergarten through 2nd grade classrooms visit from the Tanner G. Duckrey School. They get to make bookmarks and choose a free book!

Junior Staff Members go on a holiday excursion to Antique Row.

The Tree House Website is launched -- www.treehousebooks.org

JULY

AUGUsT

sEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Tree House hosts our first Neighborhood Forum about Police & Community Relations, in response to recent shootings.

The Junior League of Philadelphia hosts a Saturday Apple Workshop for children.

Donor Dessert Reception. Volunteer Katerina Montaniel generously made and donated the delicious desserts.

Halloween Party with our first haunted house and spooky tunnel! Over 50 children attend.

Junior Staff Members go to Chinatown for an appreciation dinner.

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FIsCAL YEAR:January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008

REVENUE:Grants $43,000.00 58.0%

Contributions from Individuals 15,707.00 21.2%

Space Usage Fees 10,600.00 14.3%

Program Income and Fees 3,250.00 4.4%

Book Sales 1,539.24 2.1%

Total Revenue: $74,096.24

EXPENsEs:Payroll & Staffing $34,457.60 57.6%

General Operations 18,362.20 30.7%

Programming 6,741.35 11.3%

Volunteer & Board Development 212.18 0.4%

Total Expenses: $59,773.33

Year End Balance: $14,322.91

sTATEMENT OF ACTIVITIEs

58%21%

14%4

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57%30%

11%

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sUMMARY OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIEs

FUTURE GOALs

Our payroll and staffing expenses increased sharply this year (by $23,800), as our Executive Director became a full-time employee and as we added additional consultant staff support.

In 2008, Tree House Books allocated resources to increase our grant funding. In 2007, we received $8,000 in grant funding. Our 2008 grant revenue number shows an increase of $35,000.

In a partnership with Temple University’s Theatre and English Departments, Tree House was able to renovate and expand into the storefront location next door to our original location. Temple University has paid space usage fees to have the opportunity to utilize this space for student theatre productions and rehearsals.

Aswemoveforwardinto2009,ourcentralfinancialgoalsinclude:

• Increasing the funding for our Program Coordinator to shift this position from part-time consultant to full-time employee.

• Providing training for our volunteers, staff, and Board of Directors.

• Generate funding for Bookstore Operations development, including the funding for an intern position.

• Increasing our Program Funding to expand our current programming to reach more neighborhood residents, particularly the adults in our community.

• Creating and funding an adequate Fundraising budget, so we may expand the network of support for the mission of Tree House Books.

All of our financial goals are set to establish stronger community partnerships and to expand the impact of Tree House Books.

Salaam Wakefield, an adult resident in the neighborhood, defines Tree House Books:

Tree House is spectacular, fun and warm; educational in the ability to expand minds greater than they were. I would like to see Tree House expanding into a bigger building and more people together and having fun working together.

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THANK YOU to our DONORs and PARTNERs

THANK YOU !We are grateful for the generosity and commitment of our partners. The impact we are making in North Central Philadelphia is only possible because of our powerful team of supporters.

FOREsT PARTNERs < gifts of $5,000 or more >

The Allen Hilles Fund Claneil Foundation The Coleman Family Trust Samuel S. Fels Fund New City Writing: Institute for the Study of Literature, Literacy, & Culture Verizon Foundation The Wachovia Regional Foundation ROOT PARTNERs < gifts of $1,000 - $4,999 >Alston-Beech FoundationThe Douty FoundationHenrietta Tower Wurts MemorialWalter Jordan-DavisThe Philadelphia Activities FundJonathan Weiss

BRANCH PARTNERs < gifts of $100 - $999 >Church of the Redeemer in Bryn MawrBarbara Easley-CoxEsther EllisEli GoldblattMarie HoguetThe Junior League of PhiladelphiaYvonne KingMichael & Linda LuetzowPhi Sigma SigmaLinda SallDavid SeidlerRoberta SloanScott and Nancy Geryk

ACORN PARTNERs < gifts of $50 - $99 >Alusiv, Inc.Jim & Colleen DiRaddoDavid W. FeldmanLisa & Paul MarcusJoy & Kimber MessnerKathleen O’Donnell

FRIENds < gifts of $1 - $49 >Mary Frances BaughJanice ConwayThe Gutierrez FamilyRachel HoweJoseph KimmelJames Marr, Jr.Sharon Turner

TREE HOUsE BOOKs ACKNOWLEDGEs THE CONTRIBUTIONs OF THEsE COMMUNITY PARTERs:Tanner G. Duckrey SchoolThe Junior League of PhiladelphiaInternational Design ClinicDepartments and Organizations at Temple University: - New City Writing - Theatre Department - Architecture Department - Delta Sigma Theta - Phi Sigma Sigma

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bOARD OF DIRECTORs AND sTAFF

OFFICERs:Jonathan Weiss, President Managing PartnerTempleTown Realty

Barbara Easley-Cox, Vice-PresidentTree House Books Volunteer & Community AdvocateCommunity Resident Walter Jordan-Davis, Ph.D., SecretaryMobilization and Outreach DirectorNational Board for Professional Teaching Standards

DIRECTORs:Robert BalazsPresidentRenova Homes

David E. BaughPrincipal Tanner G. Duckrey SchoolTemple Partnership School

Eli Goldblatt, Ph.D. Executive Director New City WritingTemple University Associate ProfessorTemple University, English Department

Yvonne King, Ph.D.Academic CoordinatorCollege Achievement PartnershipCommunity College of Philadelphia

sTAFF:Darcy SebrightExecutive Director

Michael ReidProgram Coordinator

Terron Wallace is 14 years old and has been coming to Tree House Books for one year. His favorite book is called Slam, and he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. Terron has been a Junior Staff Member for several months, and likes that kids come by and read. His favorite superhero is Benjamin Franklin.

“I became a member of Tree House Books in order to help make a difference in the futures of the kids in the neighborhood. I have found that the only way towards lasting change is direct involvement. Nothing can substitute reaching out to help another person on a consistent basis. When I came across Tree House Books, I realized that I had found the right people to work with...an organization that cares and is dedicated to becoming a member of the community. “

- Robert Balazs, Board Member

Program Coordinator Michael Reid stands with one of our young leaders.

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VOLUNTEER staff sUPPORTOver 30 volunteers contributed more than 2,600 hours of work to support the work at Tree House Books in 2008. Several of our volunteers come to us from Temple University and are studying a variety of disciplines, such as Political Science, English, Creative Writing, Elementary Education, International Business, Spanish, and Theatre. Some of our volunteers are long-time residents of the neighborhood or local professionals. We have hosted teams of volunteers from the Junior League of Philadelphia, Delta Sigma Theta, and Greater Philadelphia Cares. And, of course, some of our core volunteers are our Junior Staff Members.

We are grateful for the generous contribution of all of our volunteers, and we could not sustain the work at Tree House apart from our volunteer“staff.”

VOLUNTEER sTAFF

THANK YOU !We recognize the following individuals for their steady and significant participation at Tree House. These individuals contributed 50 or more hours of their time to support the mission of Tree House Books in 2008:

VOLUNTEER sTAFF

Star Bocasan

Elizabeth Earnshaw

Barbara Easley-Cox

Stephen Kirsch

Brittany Lowery

Sharon Turner TREE HOUsE INTERNDanielle Mancinelli

JUNIOR VOLUNTEER sTAFF MEMBERSDarren Brown

Zalika Moore

Nyseem Smith

Terron Wallace

Khala Wharton

ALso ...Tree House Books acknowledges the generous support and invaluable partnership of Sandy Martin.

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Shahada, age 8, defines Tree House Books: A lot of books. They help you with your homework. We play games and we read books in the tree house. Tree House is fun. The people that come to Tree House are nice. The people that work at Tree House are nice and polite, and they use their manners. People feel happy to be here and for everything. If I’m sad, Ms. Liz and Ms. Darcy are nice to me, and Ms. Sonja and Ms. Danielle. I can read a book when I want and have snack and have magazine workshop.

HOW YOU CAN HELPAt Tree House Books we believe in truly investing in the lives of our community members. Your financial contributions mean that another young person can visit the Art Museum, receive tutoring, or read the book that could unlock a new world.

But not all investments need to be monetary, which is why we have included our wish list. An item as simple as a chess board or a healthy afternoon snack can have an impact. We understand that we are in difficult financial times, but that is why we must go the extra distance to assist the most vulnerable among us.

We strive to do extraordinary things every day. You make this possible. Everything that happens here belongs to all of the people who give themselves, their money, or their time.

Adult volunteers and Junior Staff Members at an appreciation dinner

at The Jamaican Jerk Hut.

I am writing to express my joy at being able to support and encourage Tree House Books. By attending several functions, I have seen the value this project offers for the neighborhood, both with the children and their parents. To begin, the warm interior, filled with books and comfortable places to sit and read, creates an atmosphere both stimulating and inviting. Children of all ages are encouraged to read, develop better learning skills and share their enthusiasm with mentors and family members alike. I’ve watched eight-year-olds, parents in tow, enter and introduce books to others who had little interest in literature in the past. As a child, I spent much of my time engrossed in books, and I find it quite gratifying to see this love of reading passed on to the children who enter your doors. Thank you for your fine work, Linda SallTree House Supporter

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sTORY QUILT* there was an evil king * who would not let anyone read. * The people of Thinkerville were very sad because they couldn’t read. * And then one day a man was eating a mango, waiting for the bus. * Before the bus arrived, he looked at a newspaper and said, “I wish I could read.” * He dropped his mango seed in an empty lot and got on the bus when it arrived. * And as the man said his wish, the seed started to sprout. * The next day, a boy named AJ was walking by. He liked horses and said, “I wish I could read a book about horses.” The seed sprouted more. * The next day, a mom walked by with her baby and wished for a chance to read to her baby. * On the same day, Jebril, a 13-year old boy, thought about how he wished he could see foreign lands like Paris * or Cairo, Egypt * or Hawaii. * With every wish that was made, the seed continued to grow. * A group of kids from Duckrey made a wish together and said, “We wish for better school books.” * With this BIG wish, the seed began to grow into a tree. * A kid walked by and decided to make a treehouse for his friends. * When his four friends wished for books, one friend found a book in the hole of the tree. * The friend was so excited that he started to tell others about the book-growing tree. * As more people found out about the tree, more books began to grow.

* So the King finds out about books. * He goes to see the book tree and takes a book. * He takes the book to his kingdom and has his servant read the book to him. * He started liking more books from the book tree. * He started sounding out words from a book and learned how to R-E-A-D. * The King put a sign up in the tree: * “You must read books.” * And from that point on, the tree house became a book store where people read, * happily ever after.

once upon a time:

This story was written by a group of children and volunteers as we sat at the round table together. Volunteer Star Bocasan sewed together the squares we each made.

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EXCERPTs FROM THE AVE.

Looking Out My WindowI see a Susquehanna village,Bryon, some cars, 2 men, a bus, 7 college students,Green car with a girl playing with a baby,Zalika, my house, a big man, andA girl on the phone.

Looking out My WindoW -by Zakia Harris, age 10

Who’s that lady sashaying… Down the street?Who’s that lady singin’ her Song…Dancing along to that awesome Beat?Who’s that lady…The one they call Ms. Black Beauty?Who’s that lady with the Smile of sunshine?Who’s that lady with the Strength of a thousand men?Who’s that lady hen she Wants to speak…

that Lady -by Arnika Wilson, adult resident

Everybody wants to seek her … To hear her soft, sweet Voice?If you’re asking me, who that Lady be?I’ll tell you, who that lady Be…You know the one, strong, black, proud, and carefree…That lady be… ME!!

Volume one

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1430 W. Susquehanna AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19121(215) 236-1760www.treehousebooks.org