Partnering with Jason Kelce’s (Be)Philly Foundation & Underdog Apparel, 150 students in attendance were recognized for their hard work towards their college and career goals
PHILADELPHIA (December 4, 2023) – In the heart of Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood where Jason Kelce’s (Be)Philly Foundation and Underdog Apparel (“Underdog”) operate, Heights Philadelphia (“Heights”) hosted a special screening today of the Amazon Original documentary, Kelce, for 150 students at Kensington Health Sciences Academy (“KHSA”). Successfully completing KHSA’s “Touchdown 19 – Fly Students Fly” challenge by attending school all 19 November school days, students were recognized alongside members of the Kensington Football team. Underdog has pledged a commitment to the team, starting this year with special gear exclusively by Underdog. In celebration of their hard work, Heights welcomed the students with a fun red carpet prior to the movie screening and pizza donated by Papa Johns – all designed to uplift students working towards their college and career goals.
Reflecting a deep and abiding commitment to break the cycle of generational poverty, which has long challenged the City of Philadelphia, Heights connects students – especially Black, Latino, and first-generation scholars – with a network of people who believe, and invest in, their talents. Beginning in middle school, students receive access to academic, workforce, and college support to propel economic mobility. Heights supports more than 3,000 students in Philadelphia with pathways to success, including one-to-one advising, academic enrichment, internship opportunities, and financial support. Kensington Health Sciences Academy is one of 23 schools working with Heights to create better opportunities for college and career success. Heights specifically serves more than 115 students in the Kensington neighborhood schools through one-on-one advising.
“It’s been one year since we launched Heights Philadelphia with the help of our friend Jason Kelce,” said Sara L. Woods, Esq., co-president, Heights Philadelphia. “Jason shows up for our students just like he shows up on the field. He believes in our students and our city’s potential with them at the helm. We are so honored to continue our collaboration with his (Be)Philly Foundation and celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our students in the Kensington neighborhood. Thank you to the (Be)Philly Foundation for shining a light on our amazing students from the Kensington community.”
“This event was all about celebrating the hard work of our students and school communities like KHSA,” said Sean E. Vereen, Ed.D., co-president, Heights Philadelphia. “The support of Jason Kelce and the (Be)Philly Foundation proves to our students that they are worthy. Worthy of success, and worthy of investment. Thank you to the (Be)Philly Foundation and their support of Heights, as well as Coded by Kids, through the sales of its Underdog Apparel brand. Every dollar donated through this effort will further pathways to help our students achieve college and career success.”
“(Be)Philly works to empower Philadelphia’s next generation of leaders, and we know the students working with Heights are the future of this city,” said Jason Kelce, Founder, (Be)Philly Foundation. “Events like this one show our commitment to encouraging the dreams and fostering the potential of Philadelphia’s youth, and we are honored to continue our support of Heights in the neighborhood in which our Foundation operates, to build a brighter Philadelphia for us all.”
“Today was such a special day for our students and the Kensington community,” said Principal Nimet Eren, Kensington Health Sciences Academy. “Moments like this inspire our students to keep up their good work and continue striving towards their dreams of college and successful careers.”
“It is tremendous to see the collaboration of Heights and the (Be)Philly Foundation in our schools, including here at Kensington Health Sciences Academy,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Superintendent, School District of Philadelphia. “From reducing the student dropout rate, increasing the number of students passing state tests while decreasing the number of students scoring at the lowest levels, and increasing student and teacher attendance — we are Accelerating Philly. Thank you to our partners at Heights and to (Be)Philly for engaging our students and celebrating those who attended school all 19 school days in November.”
Alongside Coded by Kids, Heights is a partner and beneficiary of Jason Kelce’s (Be)Philly Foundation that raises funds and furthers the Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of Philadelphia youth through donations and Underdog Apparel merchandise sales. Images from the day are available here. Photo credit: Paola Nogueras
For more information about Heights Philadelphia, please visit Heights.org
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About Heights Philadelphia:
Heights is rooted in the bold vision that “all Philadelphia students graduate high school and achieve economic mobility through college and workforce success.” Heights’ work reflects a deep and abiding commitment to break the cycle of generational poverty, which has long challenged the City of Philadelphia, connecting students – especially Black, Latino, and first-generation scholars – with a network of people who believe, and invest in, their talents. Beginning in middle school, students receive access to academic, workforce, and college support to propel economic mobility. Serving more than 3,000 students in Philadelphia, Heights works with students to provide not only programming including one-on-one advising, academic enrichment, internship opportunities, and financial support – but also pathways to success through every step of their lives. For more information, visit Heights.org. Follow Heights on social media including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok. @HeightsPhilly
About Amazon Original, Kelce:
NFL All-Pro center Jason Kelce started documenting what he thought was his final year in the NFL. Instead, the film intimately captures the most epic year in Jason and Travis’s life, from starting a hit podcast together, Jason’s wife Kylie being pregnant with their third child, and ultimately meeting each other at the Super Bowl. All while Jason grapples with the decision of his retirement.
About the (Be)Philly Foundation:
The (Be)Philly Foundation provides financial support and increased visibility to charitable organizations with a proven track record of improving the academic and economic outcomes of students in the Philadelphia public schools. (Be)Philly envisions a future in which every child in Philadelphia has the opportunity to fulfill their potential; is surrounded by mentors and loved ones who believe in them; can develop the self-belief, resiliency, and drive to achieve whatever they set their minds to. (Be) Philly’s mission is to empower our students with the tools, confidence, and courage they need to build a brighter future for themselves, and for us all. For more information, please visit bebephilly.org
About Underdog Apparel:
Underdog Apparel celebrates Philadelphia’s relentless Underdog spirit by working with local artists and other partners to create homegrown products that directly fund programs that improve the lives of our city’s youth. Underdog believes we owe it to ourselves to make Philadelphia all that it can be, but the only way we’re going to reach our full potential is by working together. All profits from the sale of Underdog Apparel are donated to the (Be)Philly Foundation, and used to directly fund evidence-based programs that improve the lives of the next generation of Philadelphians. For more information, please visit underdogphl.com.
