Villa helping teens thrive

For years, clothier Villa has dressed fashionable urbanites, but now the retail chain will nourish the minds of its inner-city clientele through a $25,000 donation toward the creation of three Villa Teen Centers.

Department of Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson and Councilman Darrell Clarke today will announce the newest teen facility, located inside the Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 22nd and Cecil B. Moore avenues.

Villa Teen Centers will open at the Francis J. Myers, 58th Street and Kingsessing Avenue, and Feltonville, Ella Street and Wyoming Avenue, recreation centers next year.

Slawson said Villa's contribution comes during a difficult time for the city.

"At a time when we're experiencing a financial crisis in Philadelphia and throughout the country, it's wonderful that corporations and businesses are stepping up to partner with the city to ensure that we can continue to serve communities," Slawson said.

The Villa Teen Centers will host various programs, such as SAT preparation, computer and after-school tutoring and leadership and mentoring sessions.

The $25,000 will go toward building improvements and initiation of the programming.

Villa has 20 stores in the tri-state region.

Villa previously has organized rec center clean-ups and has donated $1,000 to the Murphy rec center.

"It's important that this is a partnership that Villa plans to continue," Slawson said. "This is not a one-time opportunity. Villa is looking to partner with us at other facilities as well."