Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is launching a new program aimed at helping girls and young women build confidence, safety awareness and self-defense skills.
On Wednesday, the department announced the Safe-Her Self-Defense Program, a free six-part pilot series for participants ages 12 to 24. The initiative is designed to provide young women with tools to navigate safety challenges through self-defense training, communication strategies and community-building activities.
The first session will take place Thursday, July 9, at 1:30 p.m. at Awbury Recreation Center. The free series will continue through Aug. 17 at four recreation centers across the city.
According to organizers, the trauma-informed initiative will focus on both physical safety and mental well-being. Participants will learn situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, self-advocacy skills, introductory self-defense techniques, communication skills, digital literacy and community-building activities.
“Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is often on the front lines of community engagement and youth safety,” Parks & Recreation commissioner Susan Slawson said in a statement. “As we continue to see ongoing concerns around domestic violence and safety risks impacting young women, we were led to strengthen programming that provides practical tools, trusted spaces, and supportive environments where participants can learn how to protect themselves and build confidence.”
The program will be offered at the following Philadelphia Parks & Recreation locations:
Awbury Recreation Center
6101 Ardleigh Street
Thursdays, July 9 through Aug. 13, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Winchester Playground
2326 N. 15th Street
Thursdays, July 9 through Aug. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m.
WinchesterPlayground@phila.gov
12th & Cambria Playground
2900–30 N. 11th Street
Mondays, July 13 through Aug. 17, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
12thandCambriaPlayground@
Christy Recreation Center
728 S. 55th Street
Mondays, July 13 through Aug. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m.
ChristyRecCenter@phila.gov
For more information about sessions at the locations listed above, contact the recreation center using the email address provided.
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