Anita Garner, a local veteran, practices a first pitch with the Phillie Phanatic. Garner received recognition from the Phillies for her service at a ceremony at the Navy Yard.

Phillies Honor Local Veteran with Ceremony at the Navy Yard

/in , , /by
Anita Garner, a local veteran, practices a first pitch with the Phillie Phanatic. Garner received recognition from the Phillies for her service at a ceremony at the Navy Yard.

Anita Garner, a local veteran, practices a first pitch with the Phillie Phanatic. Garner received recognition from the Phillies for her service at a ceremony at the Navy Yard.

The Philadelphia Phillies honored a local veteran’s service during a ceremony May 18 on the Marine Parade Grounds at the Navy Yard.

Anita Garner, a Navy veteran, arrived to a crowd of wave-flagging supporters completely surprised by the event – she thought she was arriving to go to a meeting.

Garner served during Desert Shield/Desert Storm as a hospital corpsman and is now a nurse practitioner in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Service to her country and community runs in her family as her family has proudly served in several branches of our military for generations.

The Phillies chose to honor Garner for her military service and her continued service with veteran’s organizations, particularly Team Foster. Team Foster fights for the unmet needs of injured and disabled veterans by bringing together civilians, veterans and highly trained service dogs.

During the ceremony, she was greeted by Phillies Ambassador Scott Palmer and Nick Liermann (founder and executive director of Team Foster – whose motto is “No Hero Left Behind”). Liermann nominated Garner for her dedication to the veteran community.

Garner also received a personalized jersey from the Phillies for when she throws out the first pitch at the Phillies Salute to Service Night. To prepare her for the first pitch, she got to have a practice throw with the Phillie Phanatic.

Garner was also presented with a challenge coin from The Chapel of the Four Chaplains to honor her selfless service.

The Phillie Phanatic cruises across the Marine Parade Grounds during a ceremony honoring a local veteran.

The Phillie Phanatic cruises across the Marine Parade Grounds during a ceremony honoring a local veteran.

Bill Kaemmer, executive director of The Chapel of the Four Chaplains, presents Anita Garner, a local veteran, with a certificate and challenge coin during a ceremony at the Navy Yard honoring Garner for her service.

Bill Kaemmer, executive director of The Chapel of the Four Chaplains, presents Anita Garner, a local veteran, with a certificate and challenge coin during a ceremony at the Navy Yard honoring Garner for her service.

Mirage JD20

Navy Yard Unveils Newest Public Art Project

/in , , , , /by

ARTIST CREATES “GREETINGS FROM THE MIRAGE”, A FLAMBOYANT DESERT LANDSCAPE VISITORS CAN WALK THROUGH AT THE NAVY YARD

#NavyYardMirage

www.navyyard.org/mirage 

Group X and PIDC announced its latest public art installation at the Navy Yard, Greetings From The Mirage (#NavyYardMirage), a domed sculptural art installation that will transport you to a surrealist soft desert created by sculpture artist Matty Geez. Greetings From The Mirage is located in the grassy field found at 11th Street and Kitty Hawk Avenue at the Navy Yard. Greetings From The Mirage features an artist’s vision of a desert landscape made with over a dozen larger-than-life-sized cacti created from colorful and soft textiles, which all sit inside a 20’ x 36’ dome. Following 11 months of planning and creation and an eight-day installation period, the exhibit is open to the public now through June 18th, 2023. The Navy Yard welcomes visitors from sun up to sun down, Monday through Sunday. This artwork is free for all to view and experience, and it requires no ticket or reservation.

Mirage JD16

“We can’t wait for Philadelphians and people from all around the region to come see this wholly original work of public art from Matty Geez,” says Group X. “Each of the projects we curate for the Navy Yard is different, and with this project we’re thrilled to offer something that will transport visitors into a surrealist mirage of a desert land. Colorful, bold, and soft, it’s less a public art sculpture and more like walking into a painting.”

Mirage JD13

Working in the realm of sculpture, Matty Geez’s pieces are three dimensional but maintain a kinship to two-dimensional works. His sculptures verge on the edge of fantastic, flamboyant and oversaturated, while holding onto familiar botanical shapes. Juxtaposition of hard and soft along with the use of color explores gender identities and breaking the binary that exists in our current world.

Mirage JD12

With the support of Group X, Matty has created an entirely new body of work that has crash landed onto the Navy Yard for Spring 2023. These are some of his largest sculptures to date, and are meant to envelope and engage viewers in an entirely surreal environment.

Mirage JD11

“We are really excited to continue our partnership with Group X for another project,” said Kate McNamara, PIDC’s Senior Vice President at the Navy Yard. “Our public art program seeks to deliver unique projects that showcase local, national, and global artists to create long-lasting impressions on the Philadelphia community. This year’s installation, Mirage by Matty Geez, will do just that – it’s a truly incredible piece.”

Mirage JD9

This is the sixth collaborative public art partnership between Group X, a group of Philadelphia-based artists, curators, and organizers whose members are anonymous, and the Navy Yard, the “coolest shipyard in America” and leading model for repurposed military base where 15,000 employees work at 150 companies, surrounded by iconic parks, Complete Streets, and a riverfront greenway.

The Navy Yard and Group X welcome visitors of all abilities. Like the previous exhibits, this exhibit is outdoors and is accessible by wheelchair. The Navy Yard is open from sunrise to sunset and is accessible via car, bike, Indego bikeshare, on foot, and Navy Yard Transit.

About Group X
Group X believes in art and happiness. We curate and create public art projects. Let your imagination run wild with us. www.groupxprojects.com

About the Navy Yard 
Since acquiring the 1,200-acre former naval shipyard from the federal government in 2000, PIDC, Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation and master developer of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, has led the planning, development, and operation of the Navy Yard PIDC’s mission—to spur investment, support business growth, and foster developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia—strongly informs the strategy for the Navy Yard, which focuses on creating an environment that drives employment, innovation, and production.

The Navy Yard is a growing community of 15,000 employees and 150 employers who occupy 8 million square feet across a mix of property types, including office, retail, industrial, R&D, and institutional.

In addition to its proximity to a large, diverse talent pool; airport and highway access; and the ability to create customizable workplaces, the Navy Yard offers community members a range of amenities including restaurants and cafes, a riverfront greenway, free shuttle access, bikeshare, and over 20 acres of open green space. The Navy Yard is a collaborative community with curated food trucks, health and wellness programs, rotating public art installations by local and international artists, and hosts a variety of food, fitness, and philanthropic events in its parks.  www.navyyard.org

About Matty Geez
Matty Geez graduated with his BFA in Illustration from Pennsylvania College of Art & Design in 2014. After moving to Philadelphia, his work began to take on aspects of three dimensional art. Inspired by practical special effects of the 80s and 90s and the flamboyance of nature, his work evolved into an environment and space all its own. Matty has exhibited at various galleries in eastern and central Pennsylvania and most recently has worked with the Lancaster City Public Arts board to facilitate community engagement with the local LGBTQIA+ community. He currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. www.instagram.com/anordinarydaze

Matty Geez (Artist Headshot)

 

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) presents a check to Kate McNamara, PIDC's senior vice president at the Navy Yard, during a ceremony held in 2022. Congresswoman Scanlon secured the Community Projects Funding commitment for NYSI in 2022 and PIDC recently completed the administrative grant process to access the funds.

Navy Yard Workforce Program Receives $525,000 Federal Grant

/in , , , , , , , /by
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) presents a check to Kate McNamara, PIDC's senior vice president at the Navy Yard, during a ceremony held in 2022. Congresswoman Scanlon secured the Community Projects Funding commitment for NYSI in 2022 and PIDC recently completed the administrative grant process to access the funds.

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) presents a check to Kate McNamara, PIDC’s senior vice president at the Navy Yard, during a ceremony held in 2022. Congresswoman Scanlon secured the Community Projects Funding commitment for NYSI in 2022 and PIDC recently completed the administrative grant process to access the funds.

Through the strong support of Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), PIDC recently received a $525,000 grant for its innovative workforce program – the Navy Yard Skills Initiative (NYSI). Congresswoman Scanlon secured the Community Projects Funding commitment for NYSI in 2022 and PIDC recently completed the administrative grant process to access the funds.

NYSI is a partnership between PIDC and University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) to increase stability and economic opportunity for unemployed and underemployed Philadelphians.

 “Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon has been an incredible advocate for the Navy Yard Skills Initiative and our Navy Yard companies,” said Kate McNamara, PIDC’s senior vice president at the Navy Yard. “We are thankful for her continued support for such an important program that connects unemployed and under-employed Philadelphians with well-paying career opportunities in Philadelphia. The Navy Yard is home to 15,000 employees from more than 150 companies, ranging from industrial shipbuilding to life sciences and cutting-edge manufacturing.  There are quality job and career opportunities for all Philadelphians, no matter their background.”

This grant will enable the continuation of the Biomedical Technician Training Program: Aseptic Manufacturing for a second cohort of 20 new participants at Navy Yard business and employer partner, Iovance Biotherapeutics. The first Biomedical Technician Training Program cohort graduated in March 2023 where ten participants started in positions at Iovance starting at $23.50/hour. The program was also recognized as the Workforce Champion of the Year in the 3rd Annual 2022 BioBuzz Awards.

“We’ve been thrilled to continue expanding the partnership with PIDC to identify and train for quality positions within the Navy Yard,” said Cait Garozzo, executive director of the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative. “In just a few short years, the program has expanded into exciting new industries, and we can’t wait to help deliver top local talent for another partnership with Iovance Biotherapeutics thanks in large part to the efforts of Congresswoman Scanlon.”

The BioMed Tech Training, the first of its kind in the region, is an innovative, high-touch workforce training model that was collaboratively designed with Iovance Biotherapeutics. The program connects Philadelphians to robust biomedical training at The Wistar Institute and offers program graduates a direct path to full-time, career-ladder employment as Associate Aseptic Manufacturing Technicians at Iovance. Calibrated specifically to meet the needs of a burgeoning sector, the BioMed Tech Training is designed for replication across industry employers.

“We are fortunate to participate in the inaugural Biotech Technician Training Program and to welcome graduates of the program to the Iovance team,” said Tracy Winton, senior vice president, human resources, Iovance Biotherapeutics. “NYSI has built an exceptional program to support Philadelphians with new employment opportunities. We look forward to hosting a second training cohort later this year and hope to see continued expansion of this program in the future.”

Particpants of the Biomedical Technician Training Program: Aseptic Manufacturing attend a focus group to discuss the program training at Navy Yard offices on December 19, 2022.

Particpants of the Biomedical Technician Training Program: Aseptic Manufacturing attend a focus group to discuss the program training at Navy Yard offices on December 19, 2022.

NYSI Statistics

Since its inception in 2020:

  • Total cohorts: 9
  • Participants served: 128
  • Graduates connected with full-time quality jobs: 99
  • Job placement rate for program graduates:  93.52%
  • Participating Navy Yard companies:
    • Four Seasons Total Landscaping – 1 cohort (Ground Maintenance Laborer Program)
    • Iovance Biotherapeutics – 1 cohort (Biomedical Technician Training Program: Aseptic Manufacturing) (another one scheduled for fall 2023)
    • Jefferson Health – 1 cohort (Patient Registrar)
    • Philly Shipyard, Inc. – 4 cohorts (Shipyard Union Apprentice)
    • Tasty Baking Company – 2 cohort (Production Associate)

About West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is one of the nation’s most successful workforce development organizations. For over 10 years, WPSI has solidified its role as one of the highest performing workforce intermediaries in the country by building customized talent solutions that bridge the divide between unemployed Philadelphians seeking opportunity and employers seeking talent. WPSI focuses on professional development and career coaching for adults.www.philadelphiaskills.org

About PIDC and the Philadelphia Navy Yard
PIDC is Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation. Since acquiring the 1,200-acre site from the federal government in 2000, PIDC has been the master developer and site operator of the Navy Yard. PIDC’s mission—to spur investment, support business growth, and facilitate developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia—strongly informs its strategy for the Navy Yard, where the focus is on building a cohesive community that fosters employment, innovation, and production. PIDC manages all aspects of the property’s management and development, including master planning, leasing, property management, infrastructure development, utility operation, and structuring development transactions. www.PIDCphila.com | www.navyyard.org

About The Wistar Institute
The Wistar Institute is the nation’s first independent, non-profit biomedical research institute and a world leader in early-stage discovery science in the areas of cancer, immunology, and infectious disease. Wistar recently announced the creation of the Hubert J. P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center to bring together its education programs for high school, undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows, with its expanding pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training, including the newly named Fox Biomedical Research Technician (BRT) Apprenticeship. www.wistar.org

About Iovance Biotherapeutics
Iovance Biotherapeutics aims to be the global leader in innovating, developing and delivering tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies for patients with cancer. We are pioneering a transformational approach to cure cancer by harnessing the human immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy diverse cancer cells in each patient. Our lead late-stage TIL product candidate, lifileucel for metastatic melanoma, has the potential to become the first approved one-time cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer. The Iovance TIL platform has demonstrated promising clinical data across multiple solid tumors. We are committed to continuous innovation in cell therapy, including gene-edited cell therapy, that may extend and improve life for patients with cancer. For more information, please visit www.iovance.com.