West Park Cultural and Opportunity Center (WPCOC) was founded in 2001 to promote a thriving West Park environment for residents using the arts as a central tool for capacity building with programs and services that build individual and community capacity.

Description:
To our knowledge, WPCOC is the only center of its kind serving the West Park area that reaches to Market Street on the south, City Avenue on the north, 34th Street to the east, and 63rd street going west. Within our immediate area the residents are predominately African American. Programming includes Camp Ginkgo (a 4-week summer program for children 5-14), Teen Multi-Media Arts Program, Arts Class for Children, Youth Theatre Program, GED Classes and Tutoring for young and older adults, Homework Help for children, Computer Classes for adults and children, Children's Garden, Nature Saturday program for children, Martial Arts Class for children, Job Readiness Training, and Health and Nutrition Workshops among others.

History:
In a brief period of time the West Park Cultural and Opportunity Center (WPCOC) has established a presence in the community with a facility and initiatives that are demonstrating our commitment to operating in the community’s best interest. WPCOC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in February 2001, incorporated on April 23, 2001, and received IRS tax exemption status as a 501(c)(3) organization January 16, 2002. The organization’s administrative and program base is located on the second floor at 4950 Parkside Avenue, in a five-story building built in the late 1800’s. This historic building was home to the Cunningham Piano Factory, which provided intimate work settings for skilled precision craftsmanship so prevalent during the nineteenth century. WPCOC has approximately 5,000 sq. ft. of office and program space. WPCOC was founded to serve all ages in the community with a special focus on children and youth. In order to serve our community at the highest level we are building partnerships that include parents/caregivers, schools, businesses, and other area educational, cultural, religious, and service institutions.

Contact people:

Betty Lindley, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Bettye Gibbons, Program Coordinator/Education, (phone), (email) Tracey Parker, Managing Director/Arts And Public Programs, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 215/473-1103

Address:

4021 Parkside Avenue At The School Of The Future Philadelphia, PA 19104 (See a map)

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

Directions:

West Park Cultural and Opportunity Center is now located in the School of the Future on the edge of Fairmount Park. From City Avenue: take Belmont Avenue south to Parkside Avenue (Parkside Ave. cuts into Belmont at the Bala Golf Course, however keep straight on Belmont to the next Parkside Avenue intersection (baseball wall mural on southeast corner) turn left onto Parkside Avenue. Continue on Parkside and just before 40th Street trun left into school parking lot. From Center City: Take the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art circle, drive around circle in front of the museum and get on West River Drive, make a left at the first stop light (Sweet Briar), make a right at the stop sign and proceed up the hill. Take the first left to Parkside Avenue and turn left onto Parkside. Turn into school parking lot on the left just before you get to Girard Avenue.   Nearest Bus Stop: #40 bus and #15 trolley, 1 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes