History / Timeline

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Section on Public Health recognizes PEC for Organizational Leadership in our partnerships with Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

PEC and PECCDC present the fourth Imprint Award (posthumously) to John B. Rosenthal, founder of the Pennrose companies.

PEC and PECCDC boards of directors begin to streamline operations into one agency.

June 8, 2009 is declared Homeless Children and Youth Day by City Council. The announcement is made at the forum officially releasing Promising Practices for Agencies Serving Homeless Students, developed by the Children’s Committee of FSPN, under the leadership of PEC.

PEC and PECCDC present the third Imprint Award to Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President of Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC).

PEC implements Cares.net, upgrading the CARES database by redeveloping it as a web-based format.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) selects PECCDC as the lead agency of the collaboration Sustainable Communities Initiative West Philadelphia (SCI-West).

After 27 years of dedicated and compassionate leadership at PEC, vice president of social services Caspar Morris retires. His wisdom helped countless homeless parents to enter or re-enter the workplace

PEC and PECCDC opens Cloisters III, a state-of-the-art permanent housing facility and part of a $13 million scattered-site rental project of 50 affordable housing units. The site includes 10 units of special needs housing for formerly homeless families in need of continued supportive services and 6 units of handicapped-accessible housing developed with the support of Inglis Foundation.

PEC and PECCDC presented the second Imprint Award to Hugh Long II, CEO, MidAtlantic Banking Group, Wachovia Bank.

PEC and PECCDC hold first Young Friends Event to promote participation of young professionals as donors and volunteers.

The Family Service Provider Network is formalized (FSPN). FSPN is an advocacy coalition of agencies that provide services to homeless families and children across Southeastern Pennsylvania. Together, FSPN represents more than 350 years of experience of serving families in need.

PEC implemented the heralded “Sanctuary Model,” a trauma informed therapeutic model for helping families overcome the trauma of violence.  

PECCDC launched Sixth-Grade Stars pilot after-school program for neighborhood sixth-graders based on new research showing sixth grade is a predictor year for dropping out of high school.

PECCDC completes Imani Homes V – 11 units of permanent supportive rental housing.

PEC presents first Imprint Award to Grant Rawdin, President & CEO, Westcott Financial Group.

PECCDC completes Imani Homes IV – eight units of permanent supportive rental housing.

PECCDC launches Teen Technology after-school program for neighborhood high school students to strengthen academic performance and prevent high school dropouts.

PECCDC Completes Imani Homes III – six units of permanent supportive rental housing.

PECCDC launches its digital inclusion program that creates the nation’s first neighborhood-based wireless hotspot and refurbishes and distributes computers to neighborhood residents refurbished and distributed. -- The program has distributed nearly 300 computers as of 2006. – The Digital inclusion initiative is launched in partnership with ONE Economy and United Way.

PECCDC also pilots its E-Assist program giving clients computer access to transmit paperwork directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

PEC also provides Internet-equipped computers to homeless families in residence.

PEC launches its new JOBS module of the CARES database that tracks client demographics, program outcomes and job placement and retention.

PEC opens Families First, a new $4 million multi-service family center that offers employment preparation and placement programs, licensed child care, and free healthcare for homeless mothers making the difficult transition from welfare to work.

PECCDC completes Imani Homes II – six units of permanent supportive rental housing.

PECCDC dramatically enhances its community revitalization work by launching an economic development effort on Lancaster Avenue.

PEC’s reputation and success are recognized by a visit from George W. Bush, President of the United States.

Since its founding, PEC has served about 7,000 families. Our annual operating budget is now $5 million.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine partners with PECCDC to convert 22 vacant properties into a 300% increase in the size of the College's health center on Lancaster Avenue, increasing local access to high-quality health care and making an attractive and safe addition to the Lancaster Avenue commercial corridor.

PEC launches its new CARES database that tracks client and program outcomes and trends.

Recognizing that advocacy is critical to addressing basic factors contributing to homelessness, PEC secures funding for a dedicated Policy Analyst position and launches a focused effort to represent our families in governmental decisions concerning housing, welfare reform, mental health, and other areas of public policy.

PECCDC completes Partnership Homes II, converting nine vacant houses into new homes for formerly homeless first-time homebuyers.

PEC hosts its first public event;Breakfast with the Rendells; a forum with Edward G. Rendell, then Mayor of Philadelphia, and his wife, Marjorie O. Rendell, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Third Circuit. Over 300 friends and supporters attended this wide-ranging conversation about the progress and future of our city.

PEC's continuum of care is named a Best Practice by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

In partnership with CoreStates Bank; now First Union/Wachovia; PECCDC completes Partnership Homes I, converting eight vacant houses into affordable new homes for purchase by formerly homeless families.  It is the first homeownership program of its kind.

PEC’s “continuum of care” is now serving 150 families a year.

PEC opens Rowan House, a newly rehabilitated $4.5 million facility to house 26 transitional housing units, a child care center, and classrooms for PEC's newly expanded JOBS program. Rowan House is named for philanthropist and fashion executive Rena Rowan Damone.

PECCDC completes Imani Homes, a $1 million project that converts 19 vacant row houses into 24 scattered-site affordable rental units for formerly homeless families.

PEC restructures to streamline operations and better integrate services to clients.

The PEC Foundation was created to manage an endowment fund initiated by a $1.5 million gift from Rena Rowan Foundation for the Homeless to help realize Rena Rowan's dream of creating a place to serve women and children in need.

PEC's nightly census is up to 125.

PEC raises over $200,000 and secures properties, plant donations and volunteers to create the Community Playground on nearby Warren Street.  A beautifully landscaped and equipped outdoor environment for mothers and children, it is the first playground in the community for 20 years and serves 200-300 PEC families and neighbors a year.

PEC establishes the Job Opportunities and Business Skills program (JOBS), a welfare to work program, to increase residents’ ability to compete in the employment market.

About 150 volunteers a year are now lending their time, energy and skills to PEC programs.

The PEC Community Development Corporation (PECCDC) is established to help meet the need for low-cost housing alternatives for formerly homeless families and to revitalize the West Powelton community.

PECCDC acquires a row house adjacent to 3902 Spring Garden Street and renovates it for classroom and office space as an expansion of PEC’s main facility.

PEC adds after school programs to its service offerings to homeless children.

PEC raises $2.5 million and forms a partnership with Pennrose Properties to renovate the 3902 Spring Garden Street property, creating a model facility that offers emergency, transitional, and permanent housing as well as services all under one roof.

PEC can now shelter over 100 individuals each night.

PEC initiates on-site housing counseling for adult residents.

PEC must leave its 16-year home at Asbury Methodist Church.

PEC launches a capital campaign to create a permanent new home and acquires an abandoned warehouse at 3902 Spring Garden Street.

PEC chooses to focus its services on homeless women and their children.

PEC introduces the Parent-Child Education Program to teach mothers healthy parenting skills.  It is the first on-site program for children in a shelter and rapidly proves a success with both children and mothers.

PEC becomes a United Way Member Agency.

PEC is now serving 30-35 individuals every night.

PEC becomes the first homeless service agency in Philadelphia to provide on-site case management to address the specific circumstances of clients and the causes of their homelessness.

PEC’s Board of Directors decides to provide services 365 days a year and to raise funds for salaried staff.

People's Emergency Center (PEC) is created as an integral social justice ministry of Asbury United Methodist Church at 3311 Chestnut Street. Led by the Reverend Jim Hallam, Director of the Wesley Foundation at The University of Pennsylvania and Pastor of the Asbury Church; and the Reverend Bob Edgar, Protestant Minister at Drexel University, PEC began with a staff of about 25 volunteers and a $12,000 budget.

Intended to be a ministry that would also help Penn and Drexel students confront the reality of homelessness and poverty, PEC provided emergency shelter and food to homeless families, couples and single women on weekends.