PACDC Names Winners at Gala

Rep. John Taylor, East Falls Development Corporation and New Kensington CDC Named Top Winners at PACDC Gala

State Rep. John Taylor was named Community Development Champion of the Year for his leadership on the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund and addressing vacant properties by the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations at its May 19th Gala, the city's leading advocate for community development groups.

"We applaud Rep. Taylor's leadership in expanding support for the Housing Trust Fund and for working to get vacant properties back into productive use," said Rick Sauer, Executive Director of PACDC. "He is very deserving of this Community Development Champion award."

PACDC also awarded two Blue Ribbon awards for projects at two of the City's community development corporations (CDCs):

 East Falls Development Corporation won the "small CDC" Blue Ribbon for the Trolley Car Café and Gateway Center at the Bathey, a renovated, century-old pool house;

 New Kensington CDC won the "large CDC" Blue Ribbon for the Big Green Block, a location for sustainable infrastructure and education amidst the "greenest zip code" in the City.

"The East Falls Development Corporation and New Kensington CDC have demonstrated once again the critical role that CDCs large and small play in Philadelphia's ongoing renewal," Sauer said.

Nearly 200 persons attended the Gala where PACDC distributed its Annual Magazine which profiles all the winners and finalists.

Other PACDC CDC finalists were Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. for its 10th Street Plaza; Impact Services Corporation for its Aramingo Crossings shopping center; and Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises for its Lawrence Court homeownership development.

Nicole Hines, an ombudsman at John L. Kinsey School, received the Community Leadership Award for her volunteer service to Logan CDC, Women's Community Revitalization Project, and Northwest Community Youth Coalition Board. In addition, Cicely Peterson-Mangum, Executive Director of Logan CDC, and Kira Strong, Vice President for Community and Economic Development for the People's Emergency Center CDC, were honored as Rising Stars in the local community development industry.