Mayor Nutter Highlights Partnership with Stoneleigh Foundation

In a speech at the Council on Foundations annual fall conference, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter emphasized the value of the growing public/private partnership between Stoneleigh Foundation and the City of Philadelphia. In his prepared remarks, Nutter noted:

"I believe Philadelphia has a bright future. And one of the brightest lights guiding our path forward is the mutual willingness of the city and the philanthropic community to work together for meaningful change."

The partnership has been solidified through the Stoneleigh Foundation Public Policy Fellowship, through which a Stoneleigh Fellow develops innovative programs that require collaboration across systems.  Stoneleigh's first Public Policy Fellow, Liza Rodriguez, created the Education Support Center at the City's Department of Human Services.  Although her Fellowship ended in November 2009, she nows serves as the Center's director.

Our partnership with the City is continuing with the selection of Julie Cousler Emig, our newest Public Policy Fellow.  Julie is working to develop a cross-system approach to reduce truancy in Philadelphia's public schools. In his remarks to the COF, Mayor Nutter commented, "... once again, Stoneleigh has stepped into the breach, agreeing to fund a highly skilled, independent professional to help guide these three organizations toward a new truancy reduction plan through a rigorous process of cross-system planning and collaboration."