Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) recognizes ESF for their work in the community.

The Spring into Health Community Day was a success and included a number of local organizations and partnering organizations including Penn Medicine.

Thanks a lot--Lezlie, Leah, and Diane (+the Gorman kids) are included.

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ESF Humanitarian Trip to Senegal, W. Africa

From May to June 2009, ESF will provide health and wellness care in W. Africa at the local hospitals, clinics, local schools and children with special needs. ESF has a large amount of donations and support that will be provided.

ESF is in need of additional medical supplies, financial assistance, and non-perishable but nutritious foods. Please contact us to donate.

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Penn Presbyterian Medical Center recognizes ESF as the organizer of a Grassroots Community Health Fair

April 25, 2009

The Event Provides Free Dental, Medical, Pharmaceutical Screenings to West Philadelphia Residents.

Please see Events Archive page for more information.

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March 4th, 2009

Explorers Sans Frontières (ESF) was selected to receive the SCI-West Community Grant award. SCI-West is committed to the economic strength and stability of the West Philadelphia communities. ESF was presented the grant by The Partnership CDC on March 4, 2009 along with a host of other great neighborhood organizations, and local residents and business owners.

On March 28, 2009, Women Cultivating Women will recognize ESF's Founder and President, Shonta D. Collins, for her work in the community.

Ms. Collins and the ESF Team will be hosting the health fair and also receiving an award for the work ESF does in the community. This wonderful event has progressed into an annual gathering that celebrates the tireless accomplishments of local women whose work directly benefits other fellow women and young girls.

This year’s award recipients includes:

• Evelyn Warren, NAACP Ambler, PA Chapter President
• Andrea Primas, Executive Director of the Tri-County YWCA
• Leona Leonard, Executive Director of Women of Transformation, Inc.
• Shonta Collins, Founder & President of Explorers Sans Frontières (ESF)

• The Elise Joseph Foundation recognizes ESF for their continued partnership and committment to serving the African and Haitian community.
• ESF interviewed by the Philadelphia Tribune

  January 25, 2009 | The Philadelphia Tribune interviews Bridgette Nelson, RN, MSN, BSN, BA, Director of Healthcare Education, Lara Letchenbergh, Director of Student Outreach and Shonta D. Collins, RN, BSN, MPA, Founder and President. ESF was recognized by the Tribune from the recent Community Day event, ESF's work with the Caribbean and African community, and also other local and global outreach activities in Philadelphia and Senegal. The article was featured in the Caribbean Currents, interviewed by Clair Davis.

  Click here to read the Article
• Community Day

  January 19, 2009 | For Immediate Press Release: ESF to host Community Day on January 19, 2009 from 9-2pm in West Philadelphia. All services are free and in conjunction with United Concordia, Trader Joe’s, LA Fitness and AfriPRO.

  Click Here to Read the Press Release
• Shonta D. Collins is recognized by LaSalle University School of Nursing

  January, 2009 | Explorers Sans Frontières (ESF) Founder and President, Shonta D. Collins is recognized by LaSalle University School of Nursing and Health Science in the 2008 Nursing and Health Sciences Explorer Magazine.

  Shonta was interviewed for her role and work with ESF in Senegal 2008. Shonta is quoted as, "What we do impacts the world and what the world does impacts us."

  Click Here to Read the Article
• Fallsers in West Africa, Fallser’s Newspaper

  January, 2009 | ESF Student Leader Christina Spino and ESF Member Lara Letchenberg are featured in The Faller, a local community newsletter. ESF was provided an ongoing column in the monthly circulation; this is the 3rd article of the series.

  Click Here to Read the Article
• ESF interview with Haitian radio Station Cultural Relations Radio Program, 88.5 FM

  January 5, 2009 | Explorers Sans Frontières (ESF) Founder and President, Shonta D. Collins was interviewed by host Gilda Jean-Louis, Executive Director of the Elise Joseph Foundation. The purpose of the bi-lingual program to raise awareness of health issues and invite the Haitian community to ESF’S Community Day Health Fair on January 17, 2009.

  The interview took place on a Cultural Relations Radio Program, 88.5 FM, Heavenly Vision Christian Radio station. A radio station that serves the Haitian and Haitian-American community, reaching over 150,000 in the region including the Philadelphia and surrounding counties, South Jersey, Delaware and parts of Maryland.

  The broadcast also airs live on the Internet at www.RadioVisionCeleste.com and www.BroadcastingOn.com

• VOICES newsletter

  ESF featured in GPUAC’s VOICES newsletter in December 2008. ESF is acknowledged for their social outreach activities at the ESF Social Fundraiser at XIX Nineteen at the Bellevue, Park Hyatt Hotel on November 15, 2008.

  Click Here to Read the Article
• CEO and President of GPUAC, Sharmain Matlock-Turner

  President and CEO of GPUAC, Sharmain Matlock-Turner recognized Team ESF Student Leaders for their commitment to serving the underserved both locally and abroad. Mrs. Matlock-Turner supported the event along with Robin Ingram of One Day At A Time (ODAAT), a program under GPUAC.

  Click Here to Read the Article
• ESF Adopted Philadelphia family

  December 2008

  ESF and our community of friends and supporters provided a total value of $500 worth of gifts to the Williams Family in West Philadelphia. The family received gift cards to Wal-Mart, Shop-Rite, Aldi, and American Express. In addition, they received clothes, food and a Christmas Tree and of course cards wishing them a Happy Holiday and New Year! A special thanks goes to Janice Bovee, Anne Hughes, Adrienne Carter, the Lechtenberg family, and Ben Guillaume. The family was extremely grateful and gave Founder and President, Shonta D. Collins a little something to cherish.

  Click Here to Read the Press Release

• VOICES newsletter

  ESF featured in GPUAC’s VOICES newsletter in November 2008. ESF is acknowledged for their community outreach initiatives at Macy’s Shop for a Cause Health Fair and ESF Social Fundraiser at Bistro Romano in Society Hill.

  Click Here to Read the Article
• Bringing Care to Senegal, Fallser’s Newspaper

  ESF Student Leader Christina Spino and ESF Member Lara Letchenberg are featured in The Faller, a local community newsletter. ESF was provided an ongoing column in the monthly circulation; this is the 2nd article of the series.

  Click Here to Read the Article
• Passport Required: The Road to International Careers

  Shonta D. Collins, Founder and President presented at LaSalle’s International Education Week program, Passport Required: The Road to International Careers.

  Click Here to Read the Brochure

• University of Archeology and Anthropology

  The University of Archeology and Anthropology recognized ESF for their contribution and collaboration with the International Student and Scholar Reception in October 2008, hosting over 1000 international visitors from over 90 countries.

  Click Here to Read the Article
• Elise Joseph Foundation

  Elise Joseph Foundation recognizes Explorers Sans Frontières (ESF) for their hard work and dedication to support their community health promotion activities. ESF proudly supported their health fair with dedicated Nurses and Doctors along with ESF Student Leaders.

  Click Here to Read the Press Release
• Fishtown Resident Goes Global, The Spirit Community Newsletter

  ESF Founder and President, Shonta D. Collins, RN, BSN, MPA is recognized for the community outreach led by ESF. ESF has been breaking ground locally and globally, seeking to expand their local community outreach and requests support to open a local center for ESF to call home.

  Click Here to Read the Article
• Young Fallser's in Africa, Fallser’s Newspaper

  This will be the 1st of a Series of Articles on ESF’s local and global efforts. ESF Team Members Lara Lechtenberg and Christina Spino featured in a follow-up article in The Fallser Newspaper which is circulated to 1000’s of residents, visitors, and businesses. ESF Members are recognized for their commitment and hard work abroad in Africa. Their opportunity in Senegal was a life changing experience that proved to sharpen their leadership skills and world view.

  Click Here to Read the Article

• The ESF Project Senegal '08 Story

  ESF's humanitarian trip to Senegal was filled with many emotional challenges. We found ourselves struggling with the utter realities of human suffering, inadequate distribution of wealth and resources, as well as the smiling faces of the Senegalese people.

  Often times we pondered on how to best share our experience with the world and inspire it to take action and make a difference in the life of another human being. Our videos are from our trip to the Hospitals, English and Blind Schools, of culture, art and history.

  We hope that you find them tough provoking and we thank you for visiting our ESF and YouTube sites.

  To get involved in the lives of others visit "How You Can Help ESF" to make a donation or become a member. Or go to "Projects" to see specific ESF Humanitarian projects currently in the works.

  View EFS videos from Project Senegal 2008
• ESF Team Members Lara Lechtenberg and Christina Spino featured in The Fallser Newspaper

  The Fallser is a community newspaper distributed in the East Falls Community, reaches 1,000's of residents and businesses.

  Click Here to Read the Article
• ESF interview with Haitian radio Station, Cultural Relations Radio Program, 88.5 FM

  April 27, 2008 | The Explorers Sans Frontières (ESF) team, Shonta D. Collins, Founder and President, Lara Lechtenberg, ESF Member and Director of Outreach and Student Support Services as well as Bridgette Nelson, Director of Healthcare Services and Education. The interview took place on a Cultural Relations Radio Program, 88.5 FM, Heavenly Vision Christian Radio station.

  A radio station that serves the Haitian and Haitian-American community, reaching over 150,000 in the region including the Philadelphia and surrounding counties, South Jersey, Delaware and parts of Maryland. The broadcast also airs live on the Internet at www.RadioVisionCeleste.com and www.BroadcastingOn.com. The interviewer and host Gilda Jean-Louis, Executive Director of the Elise Joseph Foundation.