United Communities Southeast Philadelphia's mission is to work in partnership with its various communities for social and economic justice and to foster harmony for building 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.

Description:
United Communities Southeast Philadelphia has a long and rich tradition of service to children, adults and families residing in Southeast Philadelphia. United Communities was established in 1969 through the merger of three settlement houses that date back to 1847. For the past 38 years, United Communities has carried out the original settlement mission of promotion of educational and economic advancement of individuals and families within its host neighborhoods. Today, the mission is reflected in three agency priorities: 1) support the development and well being of children, youth and families; 2) enhance household and community stability through the preservation and development of affordable housing; and 3) strengthen and build community leadership. UCSP currently operates three facilities, each of which serves as a major hub for community resources and spirit in three very low income, diverse areas of Southeast Philadelphia: 1) Houston Community Center, located at 2029 S. 8th Street; 2) Southwark House, located at 101 Ellsworth Street; and 3) Beacon @ Bok located at 8th & Mifflin Streets. In addition, United Communities operates afterschool programs at four area elementary schools: 1) Sharswood School located at 2nd & Wolf Sts; 2) Southwark School located at 9th & Mifflin Sts; 3) Fell School located at 9th & Oregon Avenue; and 4) Mastery Charter School located at 9th & Johnston Streets. In 1996, United Communities established its own Community Development Corporation, now a separately incorporated but closely linked organization. Together, United Communities and the CDC provide services and community driven activities that address the needs, further the strengths, and reinforce community spirit for more than 11,000 children, adults and families through a wide array of services. These services include: after school and summer programs for youth; housing counseling and homeowner education; energy assistance; pre-school programming; housing rehabilitation; computer literacy for children and adults; prevention programs for teenage youth; out-of-school youth educational/job readiness program; evening recreational activities for adults; truancy prevention and intervention/ ESL, ABE and Adult Diploma classes,and case management and family services. With an annual budget of over $3 million dollars, United Communities employs 121 full and part-time staff to carry out its mission. Through our years of service, we have established and maintained strong relationships with local schools and community-based organizations. In the past several years, United Communities has been an active participant in the Southeast Philadelphia Collaborative. This participation has enabled United Communities to enhance its programming for youth, further our partnerships with other organizations, and increase the visibility of our agency.

Contact people:

Maureen Kebea, Director of Human Resources, (phone), (email) Francis Carney, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Karla Howard, Director Of Operations, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 215-468-5573

Address:

2029 South 8th Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 (See a map)

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

Directions:

From Center City, take Bus Route 47 South on 8th Street to Snyder Avenue; or Bus Route 79 West on Snyder Ave.)Accessible by Septa Bus Routes 47 (North/South on 7th & 8th Streets) and 79 (East/West on Snyder Avenue) and. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 47 & 79, 0 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes