PCOM’s CWI Gives Community Fresh Start for the School Year at Local Community Day
August 20, 2026
As the start of a new school year approaches, families across Philadelphia are preparing for a fresh beginning. For local students and families in West Philadelphia, that preparation got an extra boost during Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (PCOM) Community Day.
Hosted by the College’s Community Wellness Initiative (CWI), at its Lancaster Avenue Healthcare Center, the August 16 event brought together the community and local partners for a day centered on service, wellness and giving back.
The celebration included a giveaway of 100 free backpacks filled with school supplies, along with face painting, free food, music and back-to-school haircuts provided by Leroy’s Barbershop. Owner, Leroy Robinson Jr. has been serving clients as a barber since he was 13 and said the neighborhood has given him plenty of reasons to return the support.
“This neighborhood has welcomed me for decades, so giving back is more than something I want to do, it’s something I feel responsible for,” he said. “Supporting young people and helping them start the school year with confidence is one way I can give back to my community that has supported me.”
Families attending the event also had access to the center’s community garden, developed in partnership with Greener Partners, where they could take home starter plants and seeds to begin growing their own fresh produce. Attendees could also access the center’s food pantry, which provided take-home shelf-stable groceries.
Chamir James, Program Director at Greener Partners emphasized the importance of making fresh food resources accessible to local residents. “In Philadelphia, many communities face barriers to accessing fresh fruits and vegetables,” he said. . “Giving people the opportunity to grow their own food and connect with a community garden helps create healthier, more connected communities.”
“It’s important for us to participate in events like this because healthcare is about much more than what happens during an appointment,” said Student Doctor Jacqueline Toben (DO ‘28) who volunteered at the event. “When we take time to meet people in the community, we learn about their lives and the resources that can support their well-being.”
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About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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