People's Emergency Center: 50 Years of Putting People First

Families and youth experiencing homelessness come to People's Emergency Center with dreams of a brighter future.

With support from our friends and donors like you, many residents have something special to celebrate — a first living-wage job, an acceptance letter to college, or a first home of their own.  And for residents like Eric (name changed to protect his privacy), it’s the first time they have been asked to share their story to help others.

Eric is a teen who joined PEC’s Arise youth transitional housing program on a recommendation from a former caseworker. He’d grown up in the foster care system, so adults and families came and went, but he always felt like his caseworker cared about his best interest. During his time at PEC, he had opportunities to engage in different programs, gain critical supports, and try new things—including advocating to elected officials for policies and funding that supports housing and programs for youth like him. As an advocate, Eric is working alongside PEC’s VP of Policy, and some of our partners, to make big increases in funds allocated toward housing for youth ageing out of foster care. 

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“No, I’m not going to change everybody. But I’m, you know, happy if I could change one person. If I can change that person, that person can change somebody else. My purpose is big—bigger than big. I want to be an example for others. I want people to know ‘Your life and your voice matters.’”

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Help PEC support residents throughout their journey, ensuring they have the help needed every step of the way to realize their dreams, by giving today. Over our 50 years of service, the generosity of donors like you have enabled families and youth to achieve their dreams, providing:
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• 2 M + safe nights for 20,000 parents, youth and children housed at PEC, while they built skills essential to thrive.
• $1.5 M in financial assistance that helped families secure or keep a home. 
• 3 M+ healthy meals for families, youth, and children.
• 235,000 hours of teaching computer skills for new learners. 
• 40,000 books for children to build their own libraries at home.

You can make a contribution by selecting a donation amount above, and clicking “next” for credit card payment information, (our site is secure), texting "PECCares" to 801801, or mailing a check made out to People’s Emergency Center to:
 
Attn: Melissa Sly 
Development
PEC
325 N. 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

For stock gifts: please email Melissa Sly, Msly@pec-cares.org.
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