On November 15th and 16th, Friends Select Theatre will perform Metamorphosis, a collection of myths based on the works of the Roman poet Ovid. Every production, Donna Romero, Head of the Drama Department, finds a new charity that ties into the themes of the current show. The cast and crew then fundraise for this organization. This year, the organization of choice, suggested by Deborah Caiola along with the Helping Hands Club, is the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC). 

WePAC is an organization that works to restore and fund library programming in neighborhoods where children otherwise might not have access to a library. According to WePAC’s website, 95% of Philadelphia’s public elementary schools do not have a functioning library. WePAC brings volunteer tutors and readers to these neighborhoods. With donations from the Friends Select community and other sponsors, they are able to expand their programming and cover the costs of running an organization. 

Deborah found the connection between Metamorphosis and WePAC striking. She states that Metamorphosis is an “inspiration” as to the “transformation from the written word that [literature] can bring.” The idea of storytelling and the power of language is reflected in the organization’s mission. 

The people behind WePAC are inspired by the fact that at one time “there was a library in every Philadelphia school, and children learned the joy of reading through exposure to story hours with librarians and books to take home.” However, WePac’s current focus is to empower elementary school students through reading. By donating to WePAC, the Friends Select Drama Department hopes to help give every low income child in Philadelphia access to books and the chance to explore the wonders of a library.