This summer, AIGA Philadelphia is proud to partner with Clean Currents, Kensington Renewal, and Delaware Valley Green Building Council, to introduce Lots of Power, a new mentoring program addressing vacant lots in our city. Philadelphia teens working under the guidance of professional mentors will have the opportunity to get real-world experience using design thinking- the combination of unleashed creativity and practical, executable actions-to discover and exhibit their creative potential, communicate their ideas, and take positive action in their communities.

Creative professionals will be paired with high school-age students to research and develop innovative concepts for specific vacant lots in Kensington. The guided program will run from July-August. At the end of the mentoring process, 2-3 projects will be chosen for implementation.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?
This program is open to any creative professional, including active members of AIGA Philadelphia-employed or retired-in the field of graphic design, communications, visual arts, digital or interactive media, or related areas.

WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT?
Experience working with young people is not required, but mentors must be committed fully to sharing their time and knowledge. Mentors are required to share a minimum of two hours, once a week, for six weeks, to work one-on-one to collaborate on a project that allows a student to envision new and sustainable uses for vacant lots. There is also a meet-and-greet on June 25th. A project brief and a step-by-step toolkit will be provided to guide mentors through the process.

HOW DO I APPLY?
If you would like to become a Lots of Power mentor, please contact Andréa Pellegrino at Andréa Pellegrino by June 14th. Limited opportunities available.

MORE INFO
http://lotsofpower.net

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

Clean Currents
http://www.cleancurrents.com
The Clean Currents mission is to energize communities for a clean energy future by enabling individuals and businesses to make responsible choices that protect their bottom line while reducing their environmental impact.

Since 2005, Clean Currents has helped 10,000 individuals and 3,000 businesses make the switch to wind power in Maryland, DC and Pennsylvania. We've also donated over $20,000 to community greening projects through their award winning Green Neighborhood Challenge program.

Kensinton Renewal
http://kensingtonrenewal.com
The city of Philadelphia has more than 40,000 abandoned, vacant, blighted properties. Many are in the Kensington section. Once bustling with jobs and industry, this neighborhood has at times been the poorest neighborhood in the state of Pennsylvania.

Kensington Renewal seeks to change that, by rehabilitating blighted properties into owner occupied homes. Doing so will change families lives and literally fight crime, as home ownership rates has a direct correlation to both violent and non-violent crime statistics.

The Delaware Valley Green Building Council
www.dvgbc.org
Formed in 2001, the DVGBC is a chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. The DVGBC is the primary point of contact for users, agencies, and companies interested in sustainable communities and is a leader in fostering cooperation and collaboration among organizations dedicated to environmentally responsible practices in the building industry. The objective of implementing green building practices is to improve site planning; to safeguard water and ensure its efficient use; to maximize energy efficiency, conserve materials and resources and insure indoor environmental quality. The goal is to significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on their occupants and on our environment.

ABOUT AIGA PHILADELPHIA
www.aigaphilly.org
In 1981, a group of Philadelphia designers formed AIGA Philadelphia, the first local chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Presently the chapter is comprised of over 700 members. AIGA Philadelphia’s purpose is both integral and complementary to the national organization: to provide the highest standards within the profession and the business community and to stimulate interest and understanding of graphic design and visual communication through lectures, exhibitions, periodicals and other activities.