Philadelphia, PA – October 24, 2025 – HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion and reopening of its Little Free Library, a student-driven community care initiative designed to promote literacy and neighborhood connection in West Philadelphia. The event will take place on October 27th at 10:30 AM at the Little Free Library site located outside the school’s playground gate.
The project began when students in Classroom G44, led by Teacher Paige Halligan, noticed that the neighborhood’s Little Free Library outside HMS needed attention. Coinciding with a classroom unit on “community care,” the students identified the library’s restoration as an opportunity to engage in meaningful, hands-on service to their community.
“Our students recognized that the Little Free Library could use some care, and that became a powerful extension of our classroom discussions about what it means to be part of a community,” said Paige. “We researched how to best serve the West Philadelphia neighborhood by improving the library so that others could share the same joy of literacy that we experience every day.”
Recognizing the scope of the work, the class invited members of the broader HMS community, including staff from nursing, facilities, and administration, to collaborate. The project evolved into a yearlong, school-wide effort that united students, staff, and volunteers around a shared goal.
Each student at HMS during the 2024–2025 school year contributed to the project by creating a handmade ceramic tile that now decorates the Little Free Library. As new students join the school community in the years ahead, they will continue the tradition by adding their own tiles, ensuring that the library remains a living reflection of the school’s creativity and inclusivity.
“Our goal is simple: to give back to the West Philadelphia community as much as it has given to us,” Paige added. “This Little Free Library has always been an active hub, and we wanted to give it the ‘fresh makeover’ it deserved.”
The newly restored Little Free Library now serves as both a neighborhood resource and an artistic landmark. To maintain the space, HMS encourages community members to participate by donating books, tidying the area, or adding their own decorative tiles.
“The community is always welcome to take or leave books, leave a decorated tile, and help keep the area clean,” Paige said. “The more help, the better.”
Event Details
What: Little Free Library Ribbon Cutting Celebration
When: Monday, October 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Where: HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy
4400 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Local media outlets are invited to attend and celebrate this collaborative project that highlights HMS’s commitment to education, inclusion, and community engagement.
About HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy
HMS School educates, nurtures, and cares for children and young adults with complex physical disabilities resulting from cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or other neurological impairments, with the goal of enabling each to reach their maximum potential. We promote independence and improve the quality of life for youth in a safe and secure environment so each can lead a fulfilling, stimulating life now and as an adult.
Contact:
Christina Service
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Development@hmsschool.org | 215-222-2566 x 200
