For more than 100 years, our partnerships with neighborhood centers have been critical to the well-being of inner city children, youth, adults, seniors and families. The following neighborhood centers have helped to transform hundreds of thousands lives for the better since our inception.
United Communities Southeast Philadelphia
FOUNDED: 1969
United Communities Southeast Philadelphia is a non-profit agency in the settlement house tradition serving children, adults and families residing in Southeast Philadelphia. For the past 40 years, United Communities has carried out the original settlement mission to promote the educational and economic advancement of individuals and families within its host neighborhoods. It works to foster social and economic justice and to build self-sustaining communities through: advocacy that promotes member participation and leadership; economic programs for enhancing community development; social programs supporting individual and family well-being; and educational opportunities that advance skill development and knowledge building.
United Communities Southeast Philadelphia is a non-profit agency in the settlement house tradition serving children, adults and families residing in Southeast Philadelphia. For the past 40 years, United Communities has carried out the original settlement mission to promote the educational and economic advancement of individuals and families within its host neighborhoods. It works to foster social and economic justice and to build self-sustaining communities through: advocacy that promotes member participation and leadership; economic programs for enhancing community development; social programs supporting individual and family well-being; and educational opportunities that advance skill development and knowledge building.
The Village of the Arts and Humanities
FOUNDED: 1989
The Village of Arts and Humanities’ mission is to build community through innovative arts, educational, social, construction, and economic and youth development programs. In all of its projects and activities, the Village seeks to support justice to the humanity and social conditions of people who live in inner city North Philadelphia and in similar urban communities.
Today, the Village is a multi-faceted, professionally staffed, arts organization, governed by a community-based board of directors. The Village has received numerous local and international awards and citations for innovation and achievement, and earned high marks within the community for serving thousands of low-income, primarily underserved African Americans. However, North Philadelphia could well be anywhere around the globe where people suffer due to cultural differences or economic inequities; and that is why the Village’s programs resonate so strongly worldwide.
The Village of Arts and Humanities’ mission is to build community through innovative arts, educational, social, construction, and economic and youth development programs. In all of its projects and activities, the Village seeks to support justice to the humanity and social conditions of people who live in inner city North Philadelphia and in similar urban communities.
Today, the Village is a multi-faceted, professionally staffed, arts organization, governed by a community-based board of directors. The Village has received numerous local and international awards and citations for innovation and achievement, and earned high marks within the community for serving thousands of low-income, primarily underserved African Americans. However, North Philadelphia could well be anywhere around the globe where people suffer due to cultural differences or economic inequities; and that is why the Village’s programs resonate so strongly worldwide.
North Light Community Center
FOUNDED: 1936
North Light Community Center is a multi-service community based non-profit agency located in Manayunk and serving many surrounding neighborhoods. North Light provides a wide variety of programs and services such as a food cupboard, day care for school aged children, tutoring, scholarship programs for students, teen employment, a computer lab with public access, & arts and recreation which provide the kind of self-help that many residents need and cannot find elsewhere. These programs offer critical access and nourish personal growth, positively impacting youth, strengthening families and enriching the community. North Light serves over 2,700 people annually with a small staff and over 300 dedicated volunteers making a positive difference in the community.
North Light Community Center is a multi-service community based non-profit agency located in Manayunk and serving many surrounding neighborhoods. North Light provides a wide variety of programs and services such as a food cupboard, day care for school aged children, tutoring, scholarship programs for students, teen employment, a computer lab with public access, & arts and recreation which provide the kind of self-help that many residents need and cannot find elsewhere. These programs offer critical access and nourish personal growth, positively impacting youth, strengthening families and enriching the community. North Light serves over 2,700 people annually with a small staff and over 300 dedicated volunteers making a positive difference in the community.
Legacy Christian Academy
FOUNDED: 1971
Legacy, a faith-based organization located in the heart of West Philadelphia, has been providing a safe and stimulating environment for youth for 38 years. Its mission is to aid youth in becoming self-sufficient individuals mentally, physically, socially and morally so that they can meet the demands of a rapidly changing society. It believes that the performance of today’s youth is contingent on the value of a quality education, personal enrichment and a genuine respect for others, designed to enhance the quality of life. In addition to a private elementary academic license, it serves over 100 families each year through an outreach ministry that provides educational services, youth programs, a food pantry, and emergency assistance.
Legacy, a faith-based organization located in the heart of West Philadelphia, has been providing a safe and stimulating environment for youth for 38 years. Its mission is to aid youth in becoming self-sufficient individuals mentally, physically, socially and morally so that they can meet the demands of a rapidly changing society. It believes that the performance of today’s youth is contingent on the value of a quality education, personal enrichment and a genuine respect for others, designed to enhance the quality of life. In addition to a private elementary academic license, it serves over 100 families each year through an outreach ministry that provides educational services, youth programs, a food pantry, and emergency assistance.
The Lighthouse
FOUNDED: 1893
Established as a settlement house serving new immigrants who had no Philadelphia city services, the Lighthouse has been in continuous operation serving the Kensington and North Philadelphia communities for more than 115 years. It has grown into a multi-service, multi-age provider to a multi-cultural community. It offers educational, recreational and economic improvement programs that provide partner families and individuals the opportunity to effect positive change to improve the quality of their lives.
Established as a settlement house serving new immigrants who had no Philadelphia city services, the Lighthouse has been in continuous operation serving the Kensington and North Philadelphia communities for more than 115 years. It has grown into a multi-service, multi-age provider to a multi-cultural community. It offers educational, recreational and economic improvement programs that provide partner families and individuals the opportunity to effect positive change to improve the quality of their lives.
Lutheran Settlement House
FOUNDED: 1902
Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) was established as a non-profit, nonsectarian, community-based organization, committed to serving vulnerable children, adults, and families living in Philadelphia. Over the past century, the focus of the organization has changed in response to the changing needs of the community. However, the core mission of Lutheran Settlement House — “to empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency” — has remained constant. LSH integrates social, educational and advocacy services through programs such as: Bilingual Domestic Violence, Community Education & Employment, Homeless Services and, Senior Center and Services. It serves more than 14,000 individuals each year.
Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) was established as a non-profit, nonsectarian, community-based organization, committed to serving vulnerable children, adults, and families living in Philadelphia. Over the past century, the focus of the organization has changed in response to the changing needs of the community. However, the core mission of Lutheran Settlement House — “to empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency” — has remained constant. LSH integrates social, educational and advocacy services through programs such as: Bilingual Domestic Violence, Community Education & Employment, Homeless Services and, Senior Center and Services. It serves more than 14,000 individuals each year.
Diversified Community Services
FOUNDED: 1968
Though its history dates back 150 years, Diversified Community Services (DCS) has been an anchor organization in South Philadelphia since it was officially incorporated in 1970 through the merger of the Western Soup Society (1840s) and the University of Pennsylvania Settlement Houses and Camps (early 1900s). DCS has evolved into the largest human services agency in Point Breeze. With 130 employees operating from multiple sites, DCS serves over 8,000 children, youth and families each year through a wide array of services. Its core program includes early childhood education, children and youth services, adult and family services, housing counseling and job readiness assistance.
Though its history dates back 150 years, Diversified Community Services (DCS) has been an anchor organization in South Philadelphia since it was officially incorporated in 1970 through the merger of the Western Soup Society (1840s) and the University of Pennsylvania Settlement Houses and Camps (early 1900s). DCS has evolved into the largest human services agency in Point Breeze. With 130 employees operating from multiple sites, DCS serves over 8,000 children, youth and families each year through a wide array of services. Its core program includes early childhood education, children and youth services, adult and family services, housing counseling and job readiness assistance.
Grace Safe Place
FOUNDED: 2002
The mission of Grace Safe Place, a community outreach program of Grace United Methodist Church in West Oak Lane, is to provide a safe, caring environment for juveniles and their families in the Greater Philadelphia area. It offers educational enrichment, mutual respect/life skills training and social activities. Over 250 families are served annually through the Grace Pre-School and Day Care, Summer Camp, and Parent Enrichment programs.
The mission of Grace Safe Place, a community outreach program of Grace United Methodist Church in West Oak Lane, is to provide a safe, caring environment for juveniles and their families in the Greater Philadelphia area. It offers educational enrichment, mutual respect/life skills training and social activities. Over 250 families are served annually through the Grace Pre-School and Day Care, Summer Camp, and Parent Enrichment programs.
Providence Center
FOUNDED: 1993
An independent organization founded by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in 1993, Providence Center serves the Fairhill/West Kensington section of North Philadelphia, providing educational opportunities to children, youth, and adults. While serving the whole community, most of our students come from Fairhill’s large Latino population, and we help them to strengthen their English language skills, build their leadership abilities, and contribute to the vibrant life of our community. Our area of the city struggles with high rates of poverty and crime, and Providence Center provides a neighborhood center that values the dignity of each person, creating a safe and hospitable place for learning.
Providence Center provides services in three main program areas – Adult Education, Youth Empowerment, and Community Building.
An independent organization founded by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in 1993, Providence Center serves the Fairhill/West Kensington section of North Philadelphia, providing educational opportunities to children, youth, and adults. While serving the whole community, most of our students come from Fairhill’s large Latino population, and we help them to strengthen their English language skills, build their leadership abilities, and contribute to the vibrant life of our community. Our area of the city struggles with high rates of poverty and crime, and Providence Center provides a neighborhood center that values the dignity of each person, creating a safe and hospitable place for learning.
Providence Center provides services in three main program areas – Adult Education, Youth Empowerment, and Community Building.
Nicetown CDC
FOUNDED: 1999
The Nicetown Community Development Corporation has a mission to dynamically improve the quality of life in Nicetown and surrounding communities, by establishing sustainable community economic development.
The NTCDC was founded in 1999 by members who collectively bring decades of experience in developing the community. Our expertise has been the foundation for stabilizing and developing Nicetown’s local economy, affordable housing, and open spaces. We directly provide supportive services, community education & organizing, land care, and special events coordination. The NTCDC headquarters is located at 4414 Germantown Avenue, a historically significant property recognized by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission as one of the strengths of Nicetown.
The Nicetown Community Development Corporation has a mission to dynamically improve the quality of life in Nicetown and surrounding communities, by establishing sustainable community economic development.
The NTCDC was founded in 1999 by members who collectively bring decades of experience in developing the community. Our expertise has been the foundation for stabilizing and developing Nicetown’s local economy, affordable housing, and open spaces. We directly provide supportive services, community education & organizing, land care, and special events coordination. The NTCDC headquarters is located at 4414 Germantown Avenue, a historically significant property recognized by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission as one of the strengths of Nicetown.