PEC News / Events

Pictured from left to right are Third District Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell; Denise McGregor Armbrister, Executive Director of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation; Farah Jimenez, PEC President and CEO; Kira Strong, PEC VP of Community and Economic Development; Bernadine Hawes, PEC Board Vice-Chair; and Cassandra Green, Executive Director of the Mill Creek Partnership.

On Monday the People’s Emergency Center (PEC) kicked off a year-long neighborhood planning process with residents, representatives from Wells Fargo and City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell in a community celebration featuring local food and music. Funded by the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, PEC’s 2004 Neighborhood Plan developed for West Powelton and Saunders Park will be expanded and updated to include Mill Creek and a larger portion of Mantua and Belmont. The planning process will bring together residents, government officials, and principal stakeholders in the region to discuss community opportunities and challenges, and how to ensure continued improvement in areas such as housing, transportation, commercial development and quality of life. 

"The Wells Fargo Regional Foundation has been privileged to partner with PEC-CDC and the residents of this neighborhood since 2004," said Denise McGregor Armbrister, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation. "We are excited to provide this $100,000 planning grant to create an updated, resident-driven neighborhood revitalization plan."

At Monday’s event, residents of all backgrounds "made their mark" on the neighborhood in the signing of a giant banner while enjoying a performance from local jazz artist Toni Washingtin and sampling food from area restaurant Irie Caribbean and local urban garden Preston’s Paradise.

"We are honored to announce the support of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation as we envision a new Neighborhood Plan that reflects the diversity of these neighborhoods," said Kira Strong, Vice President of Community and Economic Development of PEC. "With the guidance of our key stakeholders, from neighbors to

local businesses, PEC will work to develop a long-term, sustainable plan for neighborhood revitalization. Ultimately, this plan will provide a map for these neighborhoods to continue their way to a vibrant, healthy, resource-rich community that offers opportunities to all residents."

The West Poweltown/Saunders Park Neighborhood Plan was completed in close cooperation with a neighborhood based Task Force that included the principal stakeholders in the area and a dedicated team of housing, economic development and transportation planning experts. The updated Neighborhood Plan will provide the rare venue for neighborhood residents and stakeholders to collectively take stock of the changes, successes, and challenges encountered since the 2004 Plan and establish a renewed vision for improving the quality of life, built environment, economy and access to resources in the community.

"A plan is a written testimony of faith in our communities," said Cassandra Green, Executive Director of the Mill Creek Partnership. "As a neighborhood we’re pleased to be invited to share our voices and to be part of this process."

The Wells Fargo Regional Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for children and families living in low-income neighborhoods in New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern Pennsylvania. The Foundation concentrates its resources on the creation and implementation of resident-driven neighborhood plans. The Wells Fargo Regional Foundation awards Neighborhood Planning Grants and Neighborhood Implementation Grants to support long-term, resident-driven neighborhood revitalization.