(upbeat music) - [Regina] Here's what's coming up.

- [Shirley] Next on "You Oughta Know", see how this children's book is helping kids learn and share their thoughts about climate change.

- [Regina] I'll introduce you to a program that's empowering Philly's youth to take action and overcome obstacles.

- [Shirley] Plus, we'll show you how this youth program is giving participants more than just tools of the trade.

- [Regina] And we check out a few family fun activities around the region.

(upbeat music) - Welcome to the show.

I'm Shirley Min - And I'm Regina Mitchell.

Poverty is a huge problem in Philadelphia, and more than half the people living in underserved areas are children and young adults.

So how do you give these kids the access, opportunity, and support they need?

A program called Yeah Philly may have the answer.

- The system is trying to push me out of DHS.

- [Kendra] We have a young person who has been in DHS for most of her life, since she was five.

She is 17 now.

This young person wanted to go.

She wanted to share her experience, and we supported that all the way.

- Y'all keep pushing my problems and the things I go through, (crowd member shouting) y'all keep pushing it under the table.

When are y'all ever gonna stop and realize, "Oh, we need to help these kids."

- [Regina] For Executive Director Kendra Vanderwater, this is what Yeah Philly is all about, supporting young adults the way they wanted.

She started the program back in 2019 after she was asked to do some volunteer work helping the community.

Vanderwater decided to focus on West and Southwest Philly where youth violence is particularly high and opportunities, almost nonexistent.

- We created a survey we called The General Teen Life Survey.

So we ended up surveying almost 300 young people.

From those surveys we started running groups.

That was always a big thing.

The therapeutic groups, different topics come talk about whatever you wanted to.

There was clearly a need.

They wanted to talk about things going on in their neighborhood, things going on at school, at home.

They wanted those social interactions, so it turned into a bigger thing than we ever imagined.

(energetic string music) - [Regina] Vanderwater and her co-founder created Yeah Philly and were able to raise enough money to buy a building where they meet with the nearly 60 kids who have joined the program to have a voice and help their community.

Together they pass out groceries, hygiene supplies, they even created a job program and have gained thousands of followers in the process.

- We've provided a service for almost 400 young people, and we created like a pilot for system-involved youth and not just system involved, but young people under the age of 25 who have gun charges, who aren't eligible for other programming.

So we have so many success stories with young people who used to try to kill themselves all the time, and then they're like, "Oh, this is my family now.

I'm here.

I've changed all of these things."

It's a big deal, and people need so many things.

And so we're happy to be able to provide some of those things for young people.

- [Regina] And perhaps most importantly, they support each other when they have something to say.

- She really helped me.

She helped me get my birth certificate, my social security card, my ID.

- [Kendra] Her experience there for standing up for herself, for standing up for other young people who have been in DHS.

We were so proud of her for that.

And she gets to tell her story in her way, and she has to have people listen.

We're just creating something that we know it doesn't exist, we know that it's needed, but also we stand on our word very firmly when it comes to how we support young people the right way.

(upbeat string music) - To learn more about Yeah Philly, check out their Instagram page.

- "Coco's Fire" is a new children's book that introduces the topic of climate change to kids, but it doesn't only talk about the science.

It also brings kids' feelings into the conversation.

I met with the book's co-authors who hope that the book empowers young readers, changing any sort of climate anxiety into climate action.

Meet Coco, a young squirrel who's introduced to climate change after reading a letter from her aunt.

- Coco hasn't heard of climate change, and she's really worried and concerned about climate change.

- [Shirley] Coco loses her appetite.

She doesn't wanna play.

She's scared.

Coco is struggling with climate anxiety.

- It's a growing understanding in the medical community that this is a real threat.

- Which is why co-authors Lena Champlin and Jeremy Wortzel combined their backgrounds in environmental science and child psychiatry to write "Coco's Fire".

The idea for "Coco's Fire" started after an interaction here at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

This is where Lena's lab is located.

Lena says one day she asked a little girl whether she'd heard about climate change and her caregiver responded saying, "Oh no, we don't talk about climate change."

And that got Jeremy and Lena thinking.

- And it made me sort of take a step back, and I was like, "Oh no."

It feels like this really taboo subject that has been brought up now.

I told this story to Jeremy, and it sort of started a conversation in which we were wondering at what age groups what are the best ways to talk about climate change?

- We've seen a number of studies.

One conducted a survey of over 10,000 individuals between 16 and 25 years old, asking them about how they felt about climate change, and the results are really sobering.

And something like 40% are even hesitant to have children due to this kind of impending threat.

So this is a real concern that the medical community is starting to take seriously.

- [Shirley] Lena and Jeremy felt if they could reach kids in first and second grade, maybe instead of growing up scared about the changing climate, they can convert that anxiety into action like Coco does in the book.

- There's a breathing technique that's shown that kids can kind of follow along with as they're reading the book in order to address that kind of immediate response of anxiety.

And then there's kind of this longer-term trajectory as well of her feelings of fear.

And that's actually represented by, there's a little character in the book who's a little flame fire character.

That's kind of a manifestation of her anxiety and worry at the beginning.

Throughout this story, she works with her dad to learn more about climate change including the science, and also meet people that are working in the community against climate change whether it's scientists, or activists, or politicians.

- As Coco got involved with more politics or engagement, the fire creature not only changed but helped her along the way.

- We kind of think about anxiety as something that's limiting, and bad, and preventing us from doing things, but actually we can kind of change that emotion into something that's inspiring and beneficial.

- The ultimate goal of this book is to ensure that young people are not alone in their concerns and are not alone in this fight to address climate change.

- I would love for a kid to come out of this being both, "The actions I can take as a kid are valuable and beneficial.

There's adults that are already taking important valuable actions, and I can envision myself on a trajectory that can be an important part of this activism against climate change."

- Lena and Jeremy co-wrote "Coco's Fire" with a team of psychiatrists.

So 65% of all proceeds from the book will be donated to the Climate Committee under the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry.

Lena also illustrated the book which includes a framework for how parents and caregivers can have the climate talk with kids.

You can buy this book on Amazon.

- A local community youth organization is teaching life skills to teens that can also lead to a career.

♪ I'm determined to make a change ♪ ♪ No pain no gain ♪ ♪ Sunshine and rain ♪ - My name is Anton Moore.

We run a Unity in the Community Carpentry Academy in which we're in our final weeks of redesigning the kitchen here at the Dixon House which is diversified community services and give at-risk youth an opportunity to learn a trade, teaching them personal skills, how to survive in life.

(saw buzzing) The kids are between the ages of 14 and 19.

And they're here two times a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, to learn this trade.

Offer them mentorship as well.

We compensate them, knowing that if you come in to work, you get paid.

They learning all types of things.

They learning plumbing, electrical stuff, putting down floors, putting up walls, everything you can name that falls under carpentry.

- We started off making a shoe rack.

So after that, I started teaching 'em electrical, light plumbing, carpentry.

So right now the kitchen at this recreation center we remodeling, and so you gotta watch the wires.

You gotta watch the pipes.

So once they tore out, I could see that they was in it.

They wanna do this.

And little by little every time we either painted or put Sheetrock up, they love it.

♪ I refuse to move ♪ ♪ Every day I wake up ♪ ♪ And I choose ♪ - I came into the program.

They were teaching a lot of things, electrical work, plumbing work, taught me how to put down a floor, put up a wall, start from scratch to build a house basically.

This influenced me a lot.

Learning new things is a great experience with Mr. Moore.

♪ I made it to the top.

♪ - They're gonna be walking away with certificates and then holding a graduation for them to let people know, there are things that kids can do, and they can achieve things in life.

- Other than just the carpentry, I'm giving them hope for when they go out in the world for a job.

They know how to look you in the face.

They know how to talk to you, and I love 'em.

- It's something that I look forward to do, like as a career.

It made me feel proud of myself.

It made me feel like I'm doing something right for once.

- The Carpentry Academy is open to youth between the ages of 14 and 19 years old.

Here's where you can find more information.

- When it comes to family fun, there are lots of new options to choose from.

- That's right.

You can enjoy a sweet treat, or singalongs, or take a swing off the old tee.

(cheerful guitar music) - Top Golf started with twin brothers in England.

It eventually came to the United States in 2004.

We have a variety of experience levels that play here.

Top Golf's for everyone.

(upbeat music) When you come, you can expect a golf bay for up to six of your friends.

(light guitar music) You'll be given golf clubs and a bay host who can accommodate all of your food and beverage needs as well.

To dispense a ball, you'll just wave your club over the red sensor, and you'll dispense one ball at a time.

Every ball has a microchip in it, so it tracks the flight of your ball and ties to your particular score.

We also have high-definition cameras which will also track the flight of the ball.

We have a variety of virtual games.

We also have games embedded in our targets on the field.

We have Angry Birds, which is a virtual course.

It's great for our younger guests that allows you to hit a virtual screen just like you would the Angry Birds game.

We also have Top Golf, which is scoring through our target system.

And then we have virtual golf courses like Pebble Beach and things like that.

The skill level is secondary to you having a good time.

(easy-going music) We have traditional golfers that'll come in on a day that maybe the weather's not cooperating, so instead of going to a green grass course, they're gonna come hit some golf balls.

We do have a traditional driving range, but we also have a variety of games, food and beverage for those first-time guests looking for a social atmosphere.

On a Saturday night, you can expect a lot of events.

They range from bachelor parties to more social experiences.

We also host a ton of corporate outings as well.

- We all need time to connect and decompress.

Top Golf is a great environment to do it.

We get to swing the clubs, eat good food, bond.

There's a great place to sit.

It's a really upbeat atmosphere.

(easy-going guitar music) - [Brendan] In the summer months on the rooftop terrace we'll have cornhole and Connect 4.

So there is a ton to do, even if you're not golfing.

We also, in the summer, host a Summer Academy part golf instruction, part kids camp.

And it's an opportunity for anyone ages 6 through 12 to get some golf instruction along with a little fun.

The phrase "Top Golf is for everyone" really resonates here at Mount Laurel and the community has embraced the venue, and we're excited about the future.

- [Christina] Welcome to Sugar Factory Philadelphia.

(upbeat guitar music) Sugar Factory is all about celebrations.

We specialize in fun, very frivolous items to drink and eat.

- Would you say it's a restaurant, a candy shop?

- We're an ice cream shop.

We're a bar.

We're retail.

- Tell me about the candy room over there because that's like my jam.

- Yeah, that's on every Sugar Factory we have a retail component, and we have candy available by bulk.

- [Man] What did you get?

- A candy.

(upbeat music) - We have regular sundaes.

We have regular milkshakes like you would strawberry, chocolate, vanilla.

And then we have our Insane Milkshakes.

- When you say it's an Insane Milkshake, what makes it insane?

- [Christina] Insane that the outer part of the glass is covered in chocolate and the goodies that match the name of the milkshake.

(lively guitar music) - Hi.

Thank you.

I don't even know where to start.

Oh, heavy.

- Our Rainbow Sliders are one of the most popular items ordered.

They're designed after our logo.

(mellow guitar music) (slider crunches) - Mm.

Good.

What is this Smoking Candy Goblets?

- [Christina] That is one of our signature drinks.

- Oh my goodness.

(drink bubbling) Wow.

This is my kind of dessert.

(drink bubbling) Mm.

Chef's kiss.

Very good.

So good.

(laughs) - [Christina] Sugar Factory is just a fun time.

We have great food, great desserts, incredible drinks, and you can have a nice dinner for two, or you can have a huge party.

And we like to make great experiences happen.

♪ Thunder only happens when it's raining ♪ ♪ Players only love you when they're playing ♪ - We had the idea for opening a karaoke place in Collingswood because Michael actually used to live in Japan.

- Karaoke's, in Japan, is very cultural.

(energetic music) It's something that you do with your family, with your friends.

- We said, "We should open a place here."

And we found a great building, and we refurbished it.

And here we are.

We show them back to their suite.

You get an iPad, tambourine, microphone, so we show you how to use all of that.

Once you get in your suite, the vibe is just fun.

You can sing and have some drinks.

We have partnerships with restaurants in Collingswood, and you can order right from us.

We'll go get the food, bring it back to your suite, and you have everything you need.

♪ Let it go ♪ ♪ And I'll rise like the break of dawn ♪ ♪ Let it go, let it go ♪ It's just really a super fun time.

And give it a try.

You can do a party or you can come for a date night.

When people are leaving and saying goodbye, they're just so happy, and that just makes us so happy.

- If you prefer sitting back and taking in the sights, then Philly Phlash may be just for you.

(upbeat music) - The Philly Phlash downtown loop hits Center City using Market Street primarily.

It's the purple bus looping around the city.

Phlash is river to river.

It's easy, it's convenient.

The idea is it brings you directly to the top destinations for either locals or tourists to see.

(lively music) Phlash begins its service in the spring, seven days a week.

It's after Labor Day, Friday to Sunday.

Phlash service runs every 15 minutes, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but it does a continuous loop the entire day.

You'll notice at each Phlash stop, there's a set of wings and a map to identify where you're at and where you're boarding.

And then at the bottom of each map it will tell you what time the first Phlash is arriving and what time you can expect to hop on the last Phlash to get you back to your stop or destination.

(uplifting orchestral music) You can hop off right at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, catch that Rocky statue, run up the stairs, hop back on the Phlash, head east towards the Liberty Bell, and then we head out west on the zoo loop.

So at the art museum, you can connect and take that right to the Philadelphia Zoo and Please Touch Museum.

The Phlash is affordable.

$5 all day for an all-day pass.

$2 for a single ride.

If you have a SEPTA key pass, you ride free.

If you're a senior 65 and over, no matter what state you're from, what country you're from, seniors ride free.

Anyone coming to Philadelphia for the day, park, leave your car in one place, whether you wanna park on street or in one of the parking lots, but take the Phlash.

(bus roaring) - The spotlight's on Wilmington, and a local filmmaker is taking his shot.

- Wilmington is starting to look like the city that you might want to start thinking about moving to.

- [Shirley] From restaurants to high-rise apartments, Wilmington is coming out of the shadows.

- The greatest thing about Wilmington, the community is growing.

The creatives are working together.

- [Shirley] And filmmaker Jet Phynyx is tapping into that.

This summer, his company along with the Delaware Art Museum, are presenting the Dirty Popcorn Black Film Festival.

- 'Cause I felt like popcorn is so sweet.

It's so good.

It tastes good.

But the thing about popcorn when you go to a movie theater, you see it on the ground you're gonna be like, "I'm not eating that."

And that's how I felt society looked at certain people.

- [Shirley] Dirty Popcorn, according to Jet, refers to those non-traditional sometimes self-taught filmmakers whose work may go unnoticed.

- And I wanted to take that community of urban directors, urban creatives, and start looking at them saying, "No, the dirty popcorn is cool.

Let's pick this dirty popcorn up, and let's utilize it."

- [Shirley] So this summer, those filmmakers and others will gather to watch, learn, and support one another.

- This film festival is not just about you coming and watching a film.

It's about inspiring you, giving you knowledge, and you feeling hope at the end of walking away from this saying, "You know what?

I'm gonna go out and make me a short film."

- [Shirley] The film festival will be held on August 13th at the Delaware Art Museum.

The two-part event starts at 10 with screenings and ends with an award ceremony.

- The new "Downton Abbey" film, "A New Era" continues to delight fans.

Patrick Stoner talked with the show's creator and writer.

(orchestra music) - They better be warned.

The British are coming.

- [Patrick] Julian Fellowes is the creator and writer of the TV series "Downton Abbey".

And also, the first film, the new one, is called "Downton Abbey: A New Era".

The success was absolutely staggering, and Julian credits a lot of it to PBS.

- Action!

- We loved PBS.

We think they're a terrific platform and all those things.

And so we expected it to be a happy alliance, but I think we were all taken by surprise by the enormity of the response.

It sort of swept America.

It sounds rather vain to say that now, but- - It did.

- And that was an extraordinary experience because from America, it went on all around the world.

And the kind of experience, I'm sure, when we're all old and gray and we meet on a railway station waiting for a train to London, we'll talk about Downton because that was the extraordinary thing we shared.

- You know, when you have that kind of massive success they naturally want to, and that's how the first film then got made.

Let's see what it does, then it was extraordinarily successful.

I mean, beating out Quentin Tarantino for the year.

You are an interesting person to me because you weren't going to do it unless you were sure your legacy was not going to be lowered in any way, shape, or form.

You had to be satisfied they should be making this.

Is that correct?

- [Julian] When we were talking about the film, I wasn't, at the first, 100% confident that you can translate a television show into a film because we've all known television shows where that didn't quite work.

The film turned out well, and as you say, did very well.

So I needn't to worry it.

- And that must, of course, been part of your thinking when they said, "Okay, it did so well.

You must do another one."

- Once again, you know, whenever I sit in front of that remorseless black screen, I think, "Oh God."

Then it gets going, and it takes on its own sort of life.

We were in 1928.

It seemed to me that that was the sort of justifiable moment to bring the realities of film in the modern age into Downton's hallowed halls.

- It has been an honor to talk to you, Julian Fellowes.

Thank you for all of us at PBS for making this possible for us to share.

- Well, that's really sweet of you.

Thank you very much.

- Well, that brings our show to an end.

Thanks so much for joining us.

- We hope to see you next time.

Bye, everyone.

- Bye.

(upbeat music)