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The House of Umoja is an internationally known organization dedicated to the positive development of youth, reducing violence and abusive behavior, providing interventions in negative behavior and improving the quality of life for economically disadvantaged urban male youth ages 15-18.

Description:
Founded in 1968, the House of Umoja (HOU) was officially organized in 1970 as a communication and youth development agency. At that time gang warfare was a horrendous problem and governmental authorities and community agencies were struggling to cope with the problem. Upon discovering that one of her six sons had joined a gang, Queen Mother Falaka and, her husband, David Fattah took the bold step of inviting the gang to become a part of the family. With a promise to keep them alive and out of jail, the Fattah home became the House of Umoja Boys Town, and initially operated for three years without public or private support.

Trained staff, via individual and group situations, provide supervision, instruction, counseling, educational support and structured activities. Programming also provides direct social work services to and on behalf of the natural family of the youth in placement. Residents are required to be drug-free and are encouraged to maintain good grades.

Three thousand adolescents have passed through the HOU portals and have come out changed men. The success of the UMOJA concept has led to its duplication in Portland Oregon and Bridgeport Connecticut. The principles of the House of UMOJA are part of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise's highly successful Violence-Free Zone initiative which has been instituted in five cities.

History:
Our 35 year history has caused a reduction in gang deaths in the city of Philadelphia as documented by law enforcement, academia and the news media. HOU's success in transforming and working with youth has led to numerous consulting engagements with other governmental organizations. Many universities and institutions have sought out the expertise of Queen Mother and David Fattah in the fields of gang reduction, youth programming and community organizing, including the Office of Juvenile Justice and Prevention and the Center for Disease Control. UMOJA's work has been recognized by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

HOU's ability to service the community has resulted in the establishment of innovative and relevant services including our PEACE IN THE HOOD anti-violence program. In the `90s with funding from PIC and in cooperation with the Restaurant School, the HOU developed the Culinary Arts Component, which encouraged entrepreneurial independence through catering. In 1994, the Food of Thought program was launched to provide emergency food assistance and self-sufficiency services to neighborhood residents. Over 40,000 residents were served. Since inception, over 3,000 youth have resided at the House of Umoja.

Contact people:

Falaka Fattah, Founder & CEO, (phone), (email) David Fattah, Director of Community Relations, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (215) 879-5340

Address:

5625 Master Street Philadelphia, PA 19131 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.houseofumoja.org

Directions:

Drive north on Chestnut, make a right on 56th Street, make a left on Master. The House of Umoja is located on the corner of Frazier Street, on Master between 56th and 57th Streets.   Nearest Bus Stop: "G" Bus at 57th & Master, 1 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No