COMHAR Celebrates Black History Month

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE ARTS—Art as a Platform for Social Justice is the theme for Black History Month 2024.  Carter G. Woodson, a historian, founded Black History month in 1926 to promote the history, culture and achievements of African Americans and other people of color. “Those who have no record of what their forebearers have accomplished lose the inspiration from the teaching of biography and history”, said Mr. Woodson.

According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.

Please join us in recognizing the people of color in the COMHAR Family and the Community for the contributions they make every day.

Welcome to Volume 9 of PEOPLE FIRST, COMHAR’s Agency Newsletter.  Share in the joy our members experienced during the holiday season; learn what is happening at COMHAR; meet our tenured team members!

If you are interested in receiving the newsletter electronically, please email a request to info@comhar.org.

Can We Count On You to Help Us On Our Recovery Journey?

There truly are great things happening in Kensington, and COMHAR has been around for almost 50 years, positively impacting the lives of individuals in the great city of Philadelphia.  In the words of a proud member of the COMHAR Board of Directors, “I take pride in spreading the word about this positivity that exists within a part of our city where we usually only hear about “negative news”.”

As a Mission Driven/People First organization, COMHAR empowers members to live healthier, self-determined lives.   Through the Open Door Clubhouse members are given the opportunity for self-determination through the running of daily meetings and the operations of the Clubhouse as they work toward preparation of an employment plan.  In the HOPE programs, members are given art lessons so they can express themselves in a creative manner. Evidence Based Therapy is offered to members in the outpatient division.

Through Recovery Journeys on our website one can see the positive impact COMHAR has on it’s members. 

Support My Journey

COMHAR participated in the 37^th Annual Aids Walk on Sunday, October 15^th.  Joined by over 1,000 participants, COMHAR’s Community Living Room, which offers services to adults living with HIV/AIDS and a mental health diagnosis, gathered to show support for over 27,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Philadelphia area.

A brisk walk along Kelly Drive started in the early morning hours on Sunday.  Exhibitors who provide services to those living with AIDS shared information about their services with the attendees.  Live music, contests, and prizes were provided.  The walkers raised over $200,000 with supporters sponsoring their walk!  This brings the 37-year total to over $18M.

For more information about COMHAR’s services for people living with AIDS, please call 215-569-8414 or visit our website at COMHAR.