WHEREAS, The Leon H. Sullivan Human Services Center (the Center) (formerly known as Progress Human Services Center), is a $3 million facility located at 1415 North Broad Street made possible through a grant from the U. S. Economic Development Administration and a loan from Fidelity Bank of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The 67,000 square foot two-story Center designed and constructed uniquely as a one-stop human services facility, housing a number of public and private direct-service agencies was dedicated September 12,1978; and
WHEREAS, The initial tenants included the Philadelphia Youth Conservation Services, Philadelphia Human Relations Office, Philadelphia Youth Commission, Philadelphia Youth Services Commission, the State Bureau of Employment Security, and Opportunities Academy of Management Training; and
WHEREAS, For the past thirty-five years under the ownership and management of African Americans, the Center has been an easily accessible and affordable location for the providers of basic human and social services to the citizens of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Previous tenants included the Social Security Administration, Philadelphia Police Academy, Bureau of Unemployment Security, Young Scholar Charter School, Walter Palmer Charter School, Opportunities Academy of Management Training, African American Chamber of Commerce, Volunteers of America, General Services Administration, City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections and Philadelphia Allied Action Committee; and
WHEREAS, The Center's current tenants collectively have approximately 300 full and part-time employees and logs on average 2000 to 2500 visitors monthly. Current tenants include Philadelphia Youth Network, VisionQuest, Progressive Life Center, OIC of America, Campaign for Working Families, Spectrum Health Services, Credence Home Health Agency, National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, Temple Center for Asian Health, and Michael Hanowitz, L.C.S.W; and
WHEREAS, The Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust, who's mission in part is to
create economic and community development opportunities by using its resources to advocate on behalf of impoverished people,
helps subsidize the cost of maintaining the Center's accessibility and affordability for the providers of social and human services;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby commemorates the 35th Anniversary of the
Leon H. Sullivan Human Services Center.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to
Mabel Welborn and members of the Leon H. Sullivan Trust Board of Trustees,
as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End