Life is busy, and a lot can happen in a week, so #PhillyMayorThisWeek recaps five moments from the past seven days you might’ve missed.

Take four minutes to get updated and learn what’s going on in your city!

1. Mayor Kenney listened to PHLpreK providers at a roundtable discussion, hearing about the jobs created and families uplifted thanks to the program.

PHLpreK, the City’s no-cost quality initiative made possible thanks to the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, has created over 250 jobs. It’s also increased access to vital early childhood education services for nearly 2000 kids citywide — with thousands more planned in the coming years. Speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer, small business owner and pre-K provider Lisa Smith observed, “When parents heard we had openings, it was like a breath of fresh air, they came soaring in, they came in numbers. I’ve never seen energy like that.”

2. The Mayor returned to Philly from the SXSW festival, where he represented Philadelphia.

Last weekend, the Mayor went to Austin, Texas, with a delegation from the City’s Commerce Department and local innovators, entrepreneurs, and creatives to represent Philadelphia. While there, Mayor Kenney networked, shared his vision for creating a welcoming city — for business and people alike. Philadelphia Magazine recapped what went down, including why it’s important to build bridges, not walls. “Be nice to people. They’re not illegal aliens. They’re not from outer space. They’re human beings,” the Mayor said. “If you participate in giving a bully more support, then you are a bully too.” You can learn more about opportunities for startup businesses from StartupPHL.

Thanks #SXSW for giving @PhillyMayor the chance to explain why we're building bridges instead of walls. #AmplifyPhilly pic.twitter.com/lzLTg7DwIf

— StartupPHL (@StartupPHL) March 11, 2017

3. Snow came and the City activated its Emergency Operations Center to ensure Philadelphians were ready and prepared.

The last full week of winter asserted that snow is still a thing when about six inches blanketed the city. It was a heavy, wet snow. Before the storm, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management acted to prepare residents; before, during, and after the storm, multiple City agencies worked together as a team. While schools were closed, the City remained open with a slight delay, ensuring that Philadelphians who depended on critical services — like accessing City health centers — could rely on their local government to stay open.

4. Mayor Kenney released a statement urging Congress to reject the Trump Administration’s first proposed budget.

“This budget would be devastating to every single Philadelphian,” the Mayor said in a statement. “Its effects cut across racial and socioeconomic lines.”

I urge Congress to show common sense & compassion, and reject proposed plan, which would adversely impact working families in Philadelphia.

— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) March 16, 2017

5. The Mayor welcomed the City’s new Commission on LGBT Affairs as well as new Director Amber Hikes.

This week, Mayor Kenney thanked the 23-member body that will advise the City on policies that support the lives of LGBT people in Philadelphia; the commission will also amplify the work of the Office of LGBT Affairs. At the same press conference, the Mayor formally welcomed Amber Hikes, the new Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs. You can learn more about Amber’s vision for inclusion and progress in this interview with Generocity.

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