About Us
Uplift Local is a non-profit organization established in partnership with The Local newspaper, an independent news & information LLC serving NW Philly since 2014, a recipient of Philadelphia’s Illuminate the Arts grant, and a partner in WHYY’s budding News & Information Community Exchange (NICE) program for grassroots reporting.
The Resource Center began as a project of The Local paper, community outreach for Census and Voter Registration in the months leading up to the 2020 election. Staffers signing neighbors up at our Germantown office quickly realized the enormous need in the community, for everything from basics like food and feminine hygiene products to just having internet access and someone to walk them thru the steps needed to qualify for City assistance programs.
In its first year of operation, the Resource Center has provided thousands of meals for local seniors and children, connected residents with news, jobs, education, healthcare, and much more. We’ve also hosted several vaccination events where hundreds of neighbors have been inoculated against COVID. And we’re only just getting started.
As a non-profit, Uplift Local will seek grants to allow this important work to continue. In addition, we’ll target community partners for new collaborations that could qualify for bigger awards and more robust support from City partners such as WHYY and the Mayor’s Volunteer Corps.
Our Mission
Uplift Local brings media, artists and mutual-aid leaders together to inform, highlight and empower neighbors fairly, respectfully and honestly. Uplift Local includes:
Resource Center
A Community Resource Center that provides access to services, assistance and information
Room to Grow
Room to grow for grassroots art, music, theater, and other creative projects
Board of Directors
List of Services
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Sheena Thompson, President
The heart and soul of the community resource center, Sheena was a resource parent with Tabor Services when she agreed to run a short-term voter registration/census sign-up program out of The Local newspaper office in Germantown. After the 2020 election, Sheena stayed on to offer more services, creating the Community Resource Center, where she’s been working to make sure everyone in the city is fed, housed and vaccinated. For the record, Sheena gave us the impetus for Uplift Local, when she told us “of course” she was giving out the paper with every food box, “because information is a resource, too.”
Sheena Thompson, President
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Steve Fillmore, Treasurer
After almost two decades writing for the corporate world, Steve decided it was time to put his skills to work in another capacity. He co-founded (and is co Editor in Chief) of The Local newspaper.
Steve Fillmore, Treasurer
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Larry Benjamin, Secretary
A trusted advisor and advocate for The Local since its earliest days. In addition to being an award-winning author, Larry is director of communications at the Mazzoni Center (where he is also interim Director of Development). Larry helped orchestrate the Community Resource Center’s first big vaccine event, and has been instrumental in many subsequent projects.
Larry Benjamin, Secretary
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Gina Snyder
An advisor since before The Local paper was founded, back when it was a neighborhood history blog and she was Executive Director of the East Falls Development Corporation. Gina’s experience with disruptive journalism goes back to her days as (co)editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper. Gina is a nonprofit consultant, attorney, and a community development leader. She is also a volunteer for the East Falls Farmers Market.
Gina Snyder
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Roseanne Sullivan
A Director of Content Consulting and Publishing at SAP Marketing, Roseanne is a marketing/communications expert who advocates for improved media outreach, particularly in news deserts. She’s also active in the animal rescue community and is a huge supporter of community arts projects.
Roseanne Sullivan
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P.O.C./Tamara Russell
Host/producer/founder of Revive Radio, and the first contributor to The Local from WHYY’s News and Information Community Exchange program. Her “Mad or Nah” has been a regular feature since April 2021, and over the last year and she’s partnered with the CRC and The Local on several gun violence events. P.O.C. is a grassroots broadcasting powerhouse with a huge local network that’s brought us the illustrators we needed to advance The Local’s design, and also local influencers that have expanded the paper’s reach.
P.O.C./Tamara Russell
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Carolyn Fillmore
Before co-founding The Local paper with Steve in 2014, Carolyn spent 20+ years as the anonymous voice in hundreds of automated phone systems around the country. Of all her duties as co-editor-in-chief, writing comes most naturally but graphic design is where the fun’s at.
Carolyn Fillmore