128892261
If a resident is in need of food or employment, Robert Wilbowe is ready to help. If a resident needs help with paying a bill, the inhabitant of 26th and Reed streets has been known to lend a helping hand. He also was instrumental in integrating Vare Recreation Center, 2600 Morris St., where African-American children couldn’t play basketball there prior to his involvement. These are just a few examples from the local nomination-writing campaign to include the Grays Ferry dweller among this year’s group of difference makers.
As proud as the 63-year-old is of these accomplishments, it has never been about the individual accolades.
“It wasn’t about the recognition,” he said. “The concerns and cares of the city were the things I cared about.”
The community activist, who also did work as a political consultant, is the founder and president of the 27-year-old South Philadelphia Rainbow Committee, based at 1260 S. Newkirk St., — a former drug house that was purchased for $1 from the District Attorney’s office and converted into the home base for the nonprofit. Today, residents can partake in video/photography and GED classes.
Wilbowe also remains active in neighboring communities such as Point Breeze, where he supports the Pardon Me Clinic, which assists formerly convicted individuals through the expungement, pardon and clemency process. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month (with the next one scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 5) at the Church of the Redeemer Baptist, 1440 S. 24th St. The neighborhood activist, who lost his wife Irene in 1999 to diabetes, said he was pleased with this month’s meeting, in which 65 people attended.
Wilbowe is ready to fight for any cause, including speaking up to address neighborhood issues.
While Wilbowe doesn’t need the personal recognitions to keep his trying-to-better-the-community engine going, several of the residents he has helped didn’t hold back in praising the behind-the-scenes leader.
“When my family was suffering from lack of food and lack of employment, Mr. Wilbowe helped us with food and also found companies who needed workers,” Cecilia Marino, vice president of the Rainbow Committee, said. “… He is a true and kind humanitarian who helps anyone.”
Wilbowe plans to remain on call for assisting others.
“I don’t have an age limit,” he said. “If people need a service, I try to help them.”
Community crusader
Ilene Wilder is a self-proclaimed “uber multitasker” with a constant drive to help her community.
It’s her passion for being engaged and making a difference that keeps her involved with the Columbus Square Park Advisory Council, 1200 Wharton St., where she serves as president.
Wilder, from 13th and Wharton streets, this year spearheaded the efforts for a redesign of the park. After receiving a grant from the Community Design Collaborative, she’s working closely with neighbors and officials to make sure improvements can and will be made.
“I have that squeaky wheel syndrome,” she said with a laugh. “I’m definitely known as the squeaky wheel, but I don’t care as long as we get the results we want.”
Wilder has also worked relentlessly — and successfully — to get lighting around the park at night, green the area, allow permit parking on the street and implement sidewalk filtration planters to help mitigate flooding.
It’s never been easy, but that’s never stopped her.
“First of all, never tell me I can’t do something,” Wilder said. “That’s the quickest way for me to get something done.”
It’s the Chicago native’s background as an environmental lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and her successful career as a business and marketing consultant that has given her the skills to be an effective leader.
“A lot of people have ideas; one of the things that my specialty is, the reason I say I create vision, is that if you tell me what it is you want to do, I can help you figure out how to get it done,” she said.
Wilder, who recently started her own consulting firm, also is a board member of the Passyunk Square Civic Association, where she is chair of the fundraising committee.
“I’m really happy to be engaged in the civic association because it sort of broadens my reach of what I think I can do,” she said. “I don’t have any fear about asking for money; most people don’t like to [do it]. Listen, I look at it this way, people can say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”
But most of all, Wilder said she enjoys “watching this great community grow.”
“I’m not only engaged as a leader of the park, but I’m a neighbor,” she said. “I’ve invested in this.”
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2013 Difference Makers
/ Bruce Baldwin / Anthony Benedetto Sr. / Lou Berman / Beth Coleman /
/ Diane DellaVella / Phyllis DiLemmo /
/ Roe and Jim Gallo / Tyrique Glasgow / Ali Hackett / Deborah Holmes /
/ Kat Kendon / Harry McKay / Jaime Pannone / Juanita Perkins-Qui /
/ Gaetano Piccirilli / Megan Rosenbach / Ted Scairato Sr /
/ Rich Sisman / Dan Stevenson / Paula Terreri / Lynn Oakes West / Lawrence Whitaker / Robert Wilbowe / Ilene Wilder /
128892261
128891781
