Civic Engagement and Community Building

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement , and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” —- Man In The Arena, Theodore Roosevelt, April 13, 1901, Sorbonne, Paris

With this motivational quote, Michael Robinson, Director and Facilitator of Temple University’s Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative (NOW) opened the floor to Spring 2019 participants to discuss the how to build a community engagement project in Philadelphia.

His intellect and zest for life is contagious, he has set out to build foundational blocks of civic engagement for all participants who represent the rich and diverse mosaic of Philadelphia. Native Philadelphians from the North of the City who have been at the forefront of community based humanistic approach and community building in the devastating drug crisis to a sensitive soul who writes spiritual poetry to uplift all no matter faith, creed and status.

On the first full day of Spring 2019– under cloudy skies and steady rain he planted the seeds of Teddy Roosevelt on every participant who has had the transforming experience of getting career and professional development workshops every Thursday evening for two hours.

Robinson’s vision is clearly crafted and presented by his creative approach to re engineering the lives of every student who has been accepted into the program.

His can-do attitude and his leadership development have planted seeds for a new generation of professionals seeking to contribute and grow through civic engagement, volunteerism and empowerment.

This initiative needs to be funded and supported throughout all cities in our Nation. Higher Education Institutions are pillars of our fabric. Contributing to the professional and community development of all citizens is a tangible civic engagement contribution.