Partnership and Collaboration in Action: How Get Ready Fest Brings Hope, Resources, and Joy to Philadelphia Youth and Families

As Philadelphia families face mounting challenges in accessing essential resources, partnerships like the one between the City of Philadelphia's Office of Children and Families (OCF) and the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (MJF) have never been more critical.

On October 11, the Simon Gratz High School Mastery Charter parking lot transformed into more than just a resource fair-it became a powerful demonstration of what's possible when city government, corporations, healthcare nonprofits, and community organizations work together to ensure that Philadelphia families in need can continue to thrive. Smiles, the sound of music, and laughter filled the air as families, neighbors, and friends festively gathered together in a welcoming space designed to meet their needs with purpose and dignity. This was the heart of Get Ready Fest®, a community resource fair hosted by the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (MJF) designed to combat food insecurity, health disparities, strengthen families, and expand access to a variety of opportunities.

The event was made possible through strong public, private and nonprofit collaboration that included support from the City of Philadelphia's Department of Human Services, Office of Children and Families, MJF's Visionary Sponsor, Five Below Foundation™, MJF's Health Champion Sponsor, Jefferson, along with Philabundance, Sysco, Chelten House, Operation Warm, and a variety of other City departments and nearly 50 local community resource partner organizations. Together, they provided more than 800 families with critical health and social resources, education, and services for seniors and veterans.

A Champion On and Off the Field

Founded in 2010 by two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Pro Bowl legend, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, social justice advocate, and Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame inductee Malcolm Jenkins, the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation has become a trusted leader in addressing systemic inequities and creating opportunities for young people and their futures.

The Foundation's mission is to expand economic opportunity for youth and young adults in underserved communities by delivering culturally grounded programs in financial literacy, education, and career pathways-empowering the next generation to build lasting economic security and generational wealth.

Support at Every Corner

Rows of tents and resource tables stretched across the parking lot, each offering services designed to meet families where they are. As part of the MJF Pop-Up Grocery Store, volunteers distributed boxes and bags filled with 60 lbs of nutritious groceries, fresh produce, and pantry staples, enough to last up to 10 days. Children received new coats from Operation Warm, free haircuts, and face-painting that left them grinning ear to ear.

At MJF's Health and Wellness Village, families accessed health screenings for blood pressure, vision, diabetes, asthma, behavioral health check-ins, COVID testing, and more. Educational and career-readiness support included GED resources, job training, senior, along veteran support services. Families moved from station to station, not only gathering what they needed, but also connecting with neighbors, city staff, and local organizations ready to help.

With every stop, Get Ready Fest® offered more than supplies; it gave families peace of mind, encouragement, and a reminder that their community is here for them.

Meeting the Need in Philadelphia

Launched in 2014 in Philadelphia, Get Ready Fest®, has grown into one of the Foundation's signature programs, bringing critical resources and holistic services to communities across the country in which Malcolm Jenkins has called home (NJ, OH, LA, PA), including right here in Philadelphia. With Philadelphia families continuing to face daily challenges, from food insecurity, rising costs, barriers to opportunities, and limited access to resources, the event underscores the importance of collective action.

"This collaboration is more than logistics; it represents the true power of partnership," said Malcolm Jenkins. "By combining the City's reach with our long-standing commitment to economic empowerment, we are ensuring that families not only meet today's needs but gain access to tools and opportunities for the future and the resources they need right now."

A Shared Commitment to Families

The City of Philadelphia is honored to be part of this collaborative model, which brings together over 50 community partners, 75+ volunteers, corporate and nonprofit sponsors, and city government departments-creating an ecosystem that multiplies impact far beyond what any single entity could achieve alone. Through our Office of Children and Families and Department of Human Services, we can reach more families, provide more comprehensive support, and build the community infrastructure that helps families thrive.

"Get Ready Fest® is more than an event," said Kimberly Ali, Commissioner for the Department of Human Services. "It's a celebration of our families and neighborhoods. We're proud to support the Malcom Jenkins Foundation in creating a space where families can access the resources they need and feel the strength of their community around them."

A Model Partnership: Year-Round Impact

The City of Philadelphia's Office of Children and Families' partnership with the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation extends far beyond Get Ready Fest®. Through our collaboration on the Out of School Time Extended Day/Extended Year program and our support of their broader initiatives, we're working together to address the full spectrum of family needs throughout the year.

MJF's comprehensive programming in Philadelphia includes:

• The Malcolm Jenkins Visionary Impact Scholars program supports educational success
• Closing the Wealth Gap: financial literacy and economic empowerment curriculum
• Power Pathway Academy® equipping students for in-demand careers through digital learning
• The newly launched L.O.W. (Greatness Lives In Our Words) program focusing on narrative justice
• Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise: addressing food insecurity during the holiday season
• Partnership with the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia Summer Internship Program, creating employment pathways for college students
• Experiential learning opportunities, such as taking West Philadelphia High School students to the Philadelphia Art Museum on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Collaboration with StoryCorps Brightness in Black initiative, amplifying the voices of Philadelphia youth

This is the kind of sustained, multifaceted investment in Philadelphia families that the City is proud to support and elevate-especially during challenging times when such partnerships are essential.

Looking Ahead

"While Get Ready Fest® is a single-day event, the impact stretches far beyond the moment," said Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, President & CEO of the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, who also happens to be Malcolm's Mother. Families leave not only with essential resources and information, but also with connections to services, career opportunities, and a supportive community network that can transform their futures."

As the Foundation celebrates 15 years of impact, it remains committed to its bold vision: to transform the lives of 1 million youth by 2040 through education, financial literacy, leadership development, and community well-being.

"As families face unprecedented challenges, collaborative efforts that bring together government, nonprofit organizations, corporate partners, and community volunteers to create a comprehensive support systems that truly make a difference. Together, we're building a stronger, more resilient Philadelphia, one family at a time," said Ali.

Through signature initiatives like Get Ready Fest®, MJF demonstrates how community-centered programming can both address urgent needs and create pathways toward long-term stability.