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For the past 30 years, the Community Education and Development Center, a community-based, nonprofit, charitable social service agency, community center, and vocational training institute, has fought tirelessly and intelligently against the rising tide of street violence and homelessness in Philadelphia. Through the CEDC’s “Motivation Through Exposure” program, contractor-instructors offer job-training for at-risk youth and homeless veterans in housing rehabilitation, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, masonry, and communication systems.
Every summer, the CEDC also hosts the international program “Volunteers For Peace” in which participants from all over the world stay at our South Philadelphia Communication Center on Porter Street. They learn building renovation skills and meet with local children for cultural exchange and recreation.
The creation of a medical facility to treat veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange and other dioxins during their tour of duty in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, or other duty stations. The research facility would identify the various poisons and would develop antidotes and treatments for ailments caused by these dioxins.
Over the years, co-founder and Vietnam veteran Ron Williams has continued to run the “Motivation Through Exposure” and “Volunteers for Peace” programs despite considerable financial obstacles. Why? Because hundreds of disenfranchised youth have gained work skills and life skills that lead them to future employment and stability. Ron follows the, “Teach a man to fish…” philosophy and sees a direct link between increased job training and reduced crime, violence, and homelessness. Every person affected by these terrible things has reason to hope because of programs like ours.
In past years, in additional to job-training for at-risk youth and homeless veterans, the CEDC provided educational training in reading, math, English, and computer systems operation to neighborhood kids and took them on educational trips to museums, parks, and other culturally enriching programs. The CEDC provided housing information, job development, and placement as well as food assistance and transportation for needy residents. The CEDC even conducted seminars and workshops in life skills, home maintenance, and economics.
Unfortunately we do not have the resources to continue to reach out in all the ways we’re needed. Although we have a beautiful, stately residence in South Philadelphia, we can’t open it to the public as a community learning center without first performing considerable repairs. It will require about $20,000 to restore the HVAC system, replace windows, and repair the leaks to this site. We feel it is a real shame, and a waste of a precious resource to the community, to let the Communication Center fall by the wayside.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.