Cross-Grade Sports, which delivers sports-based youth development programs for elementary students, and OurSpace, which connects LGBTQ+ Philadelphia high school students with resources and safe spaces, were recently presented the 2023 Provost/Netter Center Faculty-Community Partnership Award. The award recognizes local, productive, and sustained faculty-community partnership projects that are “deeply mutually beneficial” to the communities served.
“You have been the driving force in ensuring that our work is meaningful and impactful and that we ask the tough questions rather than seek easier paths, so that we can continue to make a difference in our community,” said Andy Tan, associate professor for communication at the Annenberg School for Communication and director of the Health Communication and Equity Lab, to the honorees. Tan, the faculty partner for both projects, has been heavily involved in the West Philadelphia community since his arrival at Penn three years ago.