I am so glad to be here, joining ASAP at such a pivotal moment.
For more than two decades, I’ve built organizations and initiatives that help people
and communities thrive, from human services and literacy work here in Philadelphia to working directly with young people in Port-au-Prince. Along the way I’ve worn a few other hats—business owner, yoga teacher, and management consultant—but Philadelphia, and the families who call this city home, holds my heart.
ASAP is no exception.
For almost 25 years, ASAP staff, supported by the City of Philadelphia; philanthropic partners like PECO, the Hamilton Family Trust, the Philadelphia Foundation, and others; and an extraordinary community of teaching artists, volunteers, coaches, and supporters, have provided more than 108,000 students with over 500,000 hours of high-quality afterschool clubs, events, and camps.
And we’re just getting started!
In a world where young people face increasing academic pressures, social isolation, and other challenges, they need safe places where they can learn, grow, connect, and simply be kids. They need places where they can belong, find mentors, become mentors themselves, and build vital skills like a sense of agency, a growth mindset, and confidence they’ll carry with them into school and beyond.
ASAP 2050, our new 25th anniversary initiative, will celebrate 25 years of work together while looking ahead to the next 25. What could the next 25 years look like? We’re thinking big: serving more kids, going deeper with the young people we reach, and expanding what ASAP can offer. I can’t share all the details just yet, but we’ll have much more to tell you when we unveil ASAP 2050 at our 25th anniversary celebration this spring. Stay tuned!
But first, I want to thank YOU for supporting Philadelphia students as they pursue their dreams and discover who they are beyond the classroom. I’d also like to thank my predecessor Beth Tomlinson for making this transition so smooth and, most importantly, for the care she has shown to ASAP’s kids over the past year.
I also want to thank our previous Board Chair, Aaron Spence, for his years of dedication and service to ASAP, and welcome our new Board Chair, Caitlin G. Coslett, who will lead us into the future. We are so thankful to have such a passionate and talented group of leaders at the helm of our organization.
My door is open. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Together, we can dig in and serve more of Philly’s children than ever before and help mentor the next generation of Philadelphia leaders.
Feel free to reach me at sierram@phillyasap.org. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you in the months ahead.