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DRAIN BUDDIES is a project managed by Kadafi El-Kardah, Germantown resident and 2025 Knight Emerging City Champion. The Knight Emerging City Champions (KECC) is a fellowship and micro-grant program for young civic innovators with bold ideas to transform their communities. This program is powered by 8 80 Cities and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. 20 civic leaders from the Knight Foundation's communities across the United States were selected for this program. Kadafi was 1 of 2 Philadelphia residents selected for the 2025 cohort.
KECC asked a bold question: HOW WILL YOU TRANSORM YOUR CITY? Kadafi responded with DRAIN BUDDIES, a volunteer-led project in Germantown Philadelphia. The project empowers neighbors to take action in caring for vital community infrastructure: our storm drains and sidewalks. Germantown neighbors “adopt” a neighborhood storm drain, taking responsibility for monitoring it for litter, debris, flooding, pollution, and safety hazards. Participants will become local stewards for environmental resilience.
Why is this work important? Kadafi believes that neighborhood transformation happens when residents feel they belong, they matter, and they can make a difference. DRAIN BUDDIES is about connection. The project connects neighbors with their environment. It will also strengthen the connection between neighbors and their connection with the Germantown neighborhood. Taking care of a drain may seem small, but it’s a visible way to show love for the block and neighborhood. When people see clean drains and less litter, it sparks pride and discourages dumping. The benefit of this project extends beyond the neighborhood as trash in storm drains flows into creeks and rivers. By clearing drains, residents help reduce pollution in local waterways, protecting fish, wildlife, and drinking water. The project also looks at the condition of the drains and report any potential safety hazards. Drain Buddies is a project that look out for the safety of neighbors.
Learn more HERE
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The 3 Goals
Connecting Neighbors to Storm Drains
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Connecting Neighbors to the Neighborhood
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Connecting Neighbors to Each Other
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TRUE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION HAPPENS WHEN RESIDENTS FEEL THEY BELONG, THEY MATTER, AND THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Germantown: A Historic Neighborhood with a Strong Community
Located in Northwest Philadelphia, Germantown is one of Philadelphia's oldest and most historic neighborhoods. Founded in 1683, it played a significant role in American history, including the first recorded anti-slavery protest in the American colonies in 1688 and the 1777 Battle of Germantown during the American Revolutionary War. Today, its historic homes, cultural landmarks, and vibrant community continue to make Germantown a unique place to live and visit.
While Germantown experienced decades of economic decline and disinvestment during the mid-20th century, the neighborhood is experiencing renewed investment and revitalization. New restaurants, cafés, small businesses, and community organizations are opening along Germantown Avenue and throughout the neighborhood, creating new opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
Like many urban neighborhoods, Germantown also faces challenges such as aging infrastructure, illegal dumping, litter, and localized flooding. Heavy rainfall, steep topography, and storm drains clogged with debris can contribute to street flooding, impacting residents, businesses, and public safety. Despite these challenges, Germantown remains a resilient community with a strong sense of neighborhood pride and an active network of residents working to improve quality of life.
The DRAIN BUDDIES project builds on this momentum by encouraging residents to adopt and care for neighborhood storm drains while strengthening connections to the community. Beyond reducing litter and helping prevent flooding, the program promotes neighborhood stewardship and encourages participants to explore and support Germantown's growing business district. Drain Buddies aims to connect residents not only to the storm drains they help maintain, but also to the people, parks, history, and small businesses that make Germantown unique.
Why people choose Germantown:
- Rich History: Home to nationally significant historic sites, museums, and annual festivals.
- Educational Opportunities: Several public, charter, and private schools, with several colleges and universities nearby.
- Diverse Housing: A mix of colonial homes, rowhouses, Victorian residences, apartments, and newer developments.
- Parks and Green Space: Neighborhood parks and easy access to the Wissahickon Valley Park trail system.
- Convenient Transportation: Multiple SEPTA Regional Rail stations and bus routes provide excellent connectivity throughout Philadelphia.