Holy Redeemer CFO Russ Wagner (background), Pa. Rep. Brendan Boyle and SYO leader Fran Young celebrate the donation of a defibrillator to the organization with some of its young athletes. Photo/Holy Redeemer Health Network

The Somerton Youth Organization Tuesday received a welcomed donation from the Holy Redeemer Health System – an automated external defibrillator.

“Northeast Philadelphia is an important part of Holy Redeemer’s community,” said Holy Redeemer CFO and Somerton resident Russ Wagner in press statement.   continue reading »

The Somerton Youth Organization hopes a fence will enhance the safety of its fields that rest against train tracks. Photo/Matthew Flowers

This is the first of a two-part series about how neighborhood youth organizations interact with city departments and private firms.

When a tree-cutting company came by the Somerton Youth Organization facility to do some landscaping, members of the community thought little of it

Until the trees and bushes along one of the baseball fields were cut so short the train tracks behind them became exposed, creating a potential hazard for the organization’s young players.

The trees had to be cut down to reduce interference with electrical wires. But SYO Athletic Director Fran Young said he’s concerned about the exposed slope that was left behind in the process.

“Once they removed everything and removed all the shrubbery and trees, it left a pretty dangerous situation for the kids,” Young said. “There is a pretty steep drop, behind the bench of our players.” continue reading »