# The Platia > Civic trainings, volunteering and harm reduction newsroom in Philadelphia. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. Use `/llms-full.txt` for consolidated page and post context. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages - [Platia Events Calendar](https://www.theplatia.com/about.md) - The Platia puts the power back in the hands of the community through free and low-cost civic trainings and activities in Philadelphia. At these "live newsrooms" you might write letters to incarcerated people while learning about the prison system, or craft charm bracelets while learning deescalatio… ## Posts - [This farm sanctuary hosts coffee with cows](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-farm-sanctuary-cows-coffee.md) - Better yet, you can volunteer with them. - [The Philly August Volunteering Calendar](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-august-volunteer.md) - Every month I highlight volunteering opportunities with mutual aid groups. - [This antifascist celebration focuses on pasta](https://www.theplatia.com/this-antifascist-celebration-focuses-on-pasta.md) - It’s time for pastasciutta antifascista, a celebration that stems from the arrest of Benito Mussolini. As early as the 1920s, Mussolini launched an anti-pasta campaign to promote nationalism, encouraging Italians to eat homegrown rice rather than imported wheat. Although Italy produced its own whea… - [Supper clubs are an exercise in community healing](https://www.theplatia.com/supper-club-tips-philly.md) - Studies find that social eating encourages civic involvement, because people who engage in communal eating are happier and have stronger support networks. - [Immediate-need volunteering for folks who like to cook - also, veggie issues](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-cooking-volunteers.md) - Summer can be a tough time in mutual aid circles. Frequent volunteers go on vacation, or have family visits. I saw three immediate requests for volunteers that I want to highlight because these are organizations I have worked with and see the direct impact they have in their communities. - [Produce in Philadelphia costs more than it has in years](https://www.theplatia.com/produce-in-philadelphia-costs-more-than-it-has-in-years.md) - It's getting harder to find groceries across Philadelphia. And when you find them, they are increasing in price. I asked a scientist for thoughts. - [The Philly July mutual aid volunteering calendar](https://www.theplatia.com/the-south-philly-july-mutual-aid-calendar.md) - Here are some volunteering opportunities with mutual aid groups. Since distros can shift and change, please RSVP with each individual group before you show up. I'm trying a new calendar format this month, so please let me know if you like this version, or the list better! Yes, it's a new look! I'm… - [Want to fight hunger? Plant a garden right now](https://www.theplatia.com/fight-hunger-plant-a-garden-philly.md) - Philly's Food and Nutrition Security Task Force has recommendations, but you can take matters into your own hands - [One thing you can do today: save a life with this free little tool](https://www.theplatia.com/drug-test-strip-data-philly.md) - The P.A. Groundhogs have released a study to share how effective drug test strips can be, and why more of us should have them around. - [Why we need to continue following the story of Camp Chloe](https://www.theplatia.com/why-we-need-to-continue-following-the-story-of-camp-chloe.md) - There’s no smoking gun in these files that points to any one person or group doing anything blatantly vile or wrong. Instead, we can see dysfunction over how to provide long-term care for our most vulnerable. - [The Philly Resource Hubs are moving](https://www.theplatia.com/the-philly-resource-hubs-are-moving.md) - Department of Health Resource Hubs across Philly, which provided public health supplies, testing and emergency-need products, are closing. Some of the services offered will move to other locations. - [Philadelphia is in a heat emergency but you can still help](https://www.theplatia.com/philadelphia-is-in-a-heat-emergency-but-you-can-still-help.md) - A heat emergency is called when This kind of declaration is made when temperatures and humidity reach levels that can put vulnerable people, like those with chronic illness or the elderly, at high risk for medical emergencies. Meaning, people who are vulnerable and alone need our help. - [Behind the scenes of free food distribution](https://www.theplatia.com/behind-the-scenes-of-free-food-distribution.md) - (and volunteer ops for the week) Most Fridays, The Platia joins mutual aid groups, Food Not Bombs and Punks With Lunch, for a picnic in South Philly where we distribute free food and talk about harm reduction on a local level. These Mifflin Square Park picnics are a blast. (We're always looking for… - [The '27 budget is going to complicate homeless services](https://www.theplatia.com/the-27-budget-is-going-to-complicate-homeless-services.md) - Leaky roofs and bedbugs push people to sleep on the street instead of staying in a Philadelphia shelter — and that's only if a bed is even available. It could soon get harder to find any space at all. - [Philly Mutual Aid & Volunteering - May 28 through June 7](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-mutual-aid-volunteering-may-28-through-june-7.md) - Hi everyone. May has been a really big month and I am so happy to have you here. Please read up on why The Platia believes that mutual aid and information will save the world and message me if you have thoughts and want to chat about it! I was out at two conferences over the past two weeks, discuss… - [A Philly cafe with a pay-it-forward program](https://www.theplatia.com/mutual-aid-during-your-coffee-run.md) - While coming in for one of its infamous vegan pop tarts, you can throw in a few extra dollars and make sure that someone's bad day instantly gets better with a free meal. - [Philly Volunteer Opportunities: May 15 - 23](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-volunteer-opportunities-may-15-23.md) - Join our Free food picnic every Friday at Mifflin Park - plus other volunteer ops. - [Philly's shelter system is broken. Here are some numbers to help you understand it.](https://www.theplatia.com/phillys-shelter-system-is-broken-here-are-some-numbers-to-help-you-understand-it.md) - And how to look for the helpers. - [Why videos making light of addiction harm the entire community](https://www.theplatia.com/mehmet-oz-is-in-kensington-and-i-wish-hed-leave.md) - When celebrities use our communities to make a point of making themselves look like saviors, our most vulnerable are who suffer. Case-in-point: I was flooded with texts this week about the Dr. Mehmet Oz videos from Philly. In the videos Oz, the doctor known for promoting the use of hydroxychloroqui… - [I'm giving away a May Day grant](https://www.theplatia.com/im-giving-away-a-may-day-grant.md) - As someone who writes a lot about place, and eating together and small businesses and being in community, I'm really exhausted of all the recent political events that put our most vulnerable in danger. And yet, I also know we need to keep fighting. But, when you are constantly in a phase of fight-o… - [Help save Philly's resource hubs](https://www.theplatia.com/help-save-phillys-resource-hubs.md) - Since Pandemic days, you may have utilized one of the free resource hubs located around Philadelphia. These city-funded public health centers started with immediate needs, like masks and COVID-19 tests. They flourished into community centers, with baby equipment, hand sanitizer and wipes, and harm… - [Philly volunteer opportunities: April 28th through May 3](https://www.theplatia.com/volunteer-opportunities-for-this-week-plus-tell-me-your-questions-about-homelessness.md) - After meeting the encampment of people living on the Delaware River, also known as Camp Chloe after the beloved camp pet dog, I started looking into the shelter system here in Philadelphia. As someone without deep personal experience in homelessness, it can be confusing why people wouldn't go to sh… - [Help us throw the best block party in Kensington](https://www.theplatia.com/help-us-throw-the-best-block-party-in-kensington.md) - Knowing your neighbors is proven to reduce fear by turning unknown people into known demographic communities. Because block parties are a great way to meet those neighbors and come together over a common goal, I'm throwing a block party with Block2Block at Prevention Point on April 25th. To make th… - [What we can learn from a 16-year-old autonomous community in Athens](https://www.theplatia.com/what-we-can-learn-from-a-16-year-old-autonomous-community-in-athens.md) - Prosfygika sits in Athens near stadiums, hospitals and municipal buildings. While other areas sprout hotels and condos, this corner has fought to resist gentrification. - [Learning about drug testing strips](https://www.theplatia.com/you-can-get-free-drug-testing-strips-and-hang-out-with-me.md) - I’ll be giving out free drug testing strips at the Dark Side Burlesque show on April 19th at 8pm at Franky Bradleys. The show is bird-themed and features some of the most fun burlesque and drag performers in Philly. Get tickets here and come and find me for a Platia “goodie bag” filled with public… - [Block parties can reduce fear. Here's how to throw one in Philly](https://www.theplatia.com/block-parties-can-reduce-fear-heres-how-to-throw-one-in-philly.md) - Knowing your neighbors is proven to reduce fear by turning unknown people into known demographic communities. One way to engage with those neighbors is to work together to host a block party. - [One thing you can do today to help](https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today-2.md) - There are so many people who can benefit from community that it sometimes feels disorienting to know where to begin. Instead of waiting for a grand plan, you can do a small action today to make a connection with a neighbor. This is why The Platia revolves around a concept called harm reduction, whi… - [The arts make you a better person](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-art-get-involved.md) - Writing the Eater guide to Philly’s best cheesesteaks, I have had dozens. So I wanted to spend National Cheesesteak Day with artist Doomed Future talking about his grandfather and Jim's West - [How food waste can become clothing](https://www.theplatia.com/how-food-waste-can-become-clothing.md) - Food waste is a major concern for me, as someone who eats a lot for a living. After an article last year where I explored all the kinds of waste that are created in kitchens and catering, I became fascinated with the ways that ingredients can be reused. For example, a fat wash from meat drippings i… - [How you can file a Right-To-Know request](https://www.theplatia.com/how-you-can-file-a-right-to-know-request.md) - With a few No Kings events coming up, I want to remind people about a right you can exercise any day. Citizens of Pennsylvania have the right to request access to state and local government records as part of the Right-To-Know Law. Active since 2009, this law makes it easier for citizens to underst… - [A visit to the Penn's Landing encampment and what you can do to help](https://www.theplatia.com/a-visit-to-the-penns-landing-encampment-and-what-you-can-do-to-help.md) - Update April 2: The city records office has requested an extension to process documents related to the removal of the encampment. I have also added more links in context in the story below. Update: As of March 19, at noon Eastern, Mayor Parker's office has not replied to my request for comment abou… - [One thing you can do today](https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today-march.md) - If mutual aid is new concept to you and you're overwhelmed with how to create mutual aid in your community, here's two small things you can do now. - [Looking to donate clothing? Use this checklist](https://www.theplatia.com/philly-donate-clothing-checklist.md) - We've been talking a lot about Spring cleaning, and decluttering, and the ways to circulate resources through your community that you might be finished with. Going through your closet is a great way to start, identifying items you may have worn last year that don't fit, don't meet your aesthetic, o… - [You can volunteer at the Philadelphia Flower Show](https://www.theplatia.com/you-can-volunteer-at-the-philadelphia-flower-show.md) - It's a hidden fact (more popular by the day) that you can volunteer at the Philadelphia Flower Show and get free admission. I've volunteered at three separate shows, and saw drastically different exhibits each time. It's become something I look forward to and even plan in advance. Some quick facts:… - [Overdose prevention training this week](https://www.theplatia.com/overdose-prevention-training-this-week.md) - Join The Platia on March 3, to learn what to do when you see someone possibly overdosing on the street. You can sign up at this link, but keep reading too! We'll go over the signs to identify if someone needs help, how to use Narcan, CPR sheets, how to stay safe while helping. We'll also talk about… - [This group teaches you how to feed yourself](https://www.theplatia.com/this-group-teaches-you-how-to-feed-yourself.md) - This is not a Platia event, but a separate event run by the organization C.R.O.P.S. in nearby Atlantic City, New Jersey. I continually look to C.R.O.P.S. as I explore food systems, because of the way they're thinking about who gets food and where it comes from. C.R.O.P.S. is working toward installi… - [How to be more involved in Kensington](https://www.theplatia.com/how-to-be-more-involved-in-kensington.md) - Misinformation often begins accidentally, just from a lack of knowledge. And misinformation about harm reduction abounds, from not thinking addiction could happen to you or your loved ones, to believing people on the street deserve their circumstances, to not understanding how needle exchange progr… - [Learn life-saving CPR skills next week](https://www.theplatia.com/learn-life-saving-cpr-skills-next-week.md) - As a journalist I try to have people who report to me on rapid response events take what's called "street medic training." Also called "Stop The Bleed," these are the kind of skills you should know if you may be in prolonged protest and areas of unrest – and that sometimes scares people. But they a… - [One thing you can do today](https://www.theplatia.com/one-thing-you-can-do-today.md) - There are so many people who can benefit from community that it sometimes feels disorienting to know where to begin. But instead of waiting for someone to hand you a grand plan, you can do a small point of action today to make a connection with a neighbor. This is why The Platia revolves around a c… - [Understanding food systems](https://www.theplatia.com/understanding-food-systems.md) - When I'm asked why a newsroom with a focus on harm reduction talks so much about food and eating, I remember that the culture around food that we see online is one of luxury. It's a culture of new restaurants and of the current place to be. There's not nearly enough talking about where our food com… - [Platia Events in January, February & March](https://www.theplatia.com/platia-events-in-january-february-march.md) - Welcome to a new year. We've got a lot to do and The Platia has a few classes on offer already. In January, The Platia is hosting a deescalation event that is at capacity. If you want to attend the next one, please let me know. In February, join us for a CPR class. The dummy for this class is expen… - [Is journalism "harm reduction"?](https://www.theplatia.com/a-note-from-annemarie-the-platia-2026.md) - If you're new to The Platia, thank you so much. Let me take a moment to explain what The Platia is, and why I believe happiness and civic success is tied to information sharing. The Platia [ plat-e-uh] comes from the term for the village meeting space in the Greek mountains where citizens come toge… - [What I learned during my day with Books Through Bars](https://www.theplatia.com/what-i-learned-during-my-day-with-books-through-bars.md) - Last week, in preparation for a Platia book drive, I spent the afternoon at Books Through Bars in West Philly. The small space is packed with tables and chairs for volunteers, lots of mail bins, and two full libraries worth of organized books. Every donation I receive goes directly to local mutual… - [The Platia 2025 Impact Report](https://www.theplatia.com/the-platia-2025-impact-report.md) - I want to thank everyone who has donated or attended a Platia event in 2025. The idea was a big one: To take service journalism out of the gate-keeping newsrooms and teach the community how to care for itself through events. And the events shouldn't make you feel bad. You should feel positive, ener… - [Reporter's Notebook: Food Redistribution](https://www.theplatia.com/reporters-notebook-food-redistribution.md) - If you’re not familiar with the workings of a newsroom, there’s a small army of support staff that perform the research and take the written words and edit them, fact-check them, video them, code the page, answer reader questions and feedback, and grab the data. In other words, people with a lot of… - [Where to find Narcan in Philly](https://www.theplatia.com/find-narcan-in-philly.md) - Find free nalaxone at the locations on this map. - [Free Event: How anyone can cite public records and file FOIAs](https://www.theplatia.com/december-event-how-to-cite-public-records-and-file-foias.md) - On December 3 I am hosting a workshop for creators in Philly where we'll learn how to cite public records and file Freedom of Information requests for documentation that you believe should be accessed by the public. This is part of a program I am building in partnership with my work with News Creat… - [Free food and how to help mutual aid groups](https://www.theplatia.com/free-food-and-how-to-help-mutual-aid-groups.md) - Earlier in the year I covered small, independent mutual aid groups that are not only helping people who need food, but bringing to light the understanding that food should be available to everyone, all the time, not just when SNAP is on hold. These groups run on community collaboration. There are n… - [Holiday card making and book drive event information](https://www.theplatia.com/november-2025-event-information.md) - Every month The Platia provides a space to meet new friends and discuss a major civic issue in Philadelphia. On November 23rd at noon, we are creating holiday cards, and accepting books that can be donated to people in prisons. This is a family-friendly card-making event. We'll be creating the card… - [About the person behind this newsroom](https://www.theplatia.com/about-the-person-behind-this-newsroom.md) - Working in the news industry for 20 years as a community and audience expert, I saw a lot of fear coming from news. I decided to build my own tiny newsroom to empower the community, called The Platia. Every free signup helps me get more volunteers at events and built more mutual aid programs. I'm a… - [Free Civic Information](https://www.theplatia.com/free-civic-information-2.md) - The Platia trainings focus on harm reduction and community elevation. This page features information you can save under Creative Commons license, to create mutual aid in your own community. For more information email adooling@gmail.com. Free food redistribution checklist to save and share. Download… ## Optional - [RSS Feed](https://www.theplatia.com/rss/) - [Sitemap](https://www.theplatia.com/sitemap.xml) - [Full content of pages and posts](https://www.theplatia.com/llms-full.txt)