PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A brand new sign adorns a building near the corner of South 22nd and Tasker streets in South Philadelphia. It boasts the name and logo of the newly-formed Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance (GPCA).
The new sign reflects the merger of Diversified Community Services and United Communities, which combined to further improve the lives of South Philadelphians and beyond.
Now one of the city’s largest nonprofits, GPCA says it aims to meet the previous organizations' joint mission by providing services that break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Diversified Community Services operated on the west side of Broad Street, and United Communities was on the east side.
“The coming together of the two organizations hopefully is going to make us have greater impact by improving and building upon the strength of the two organizations,” said CEO Otis Bullock.
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He also hopes they will be able to do their part in stemming the tide of gun violence.
“What we’re hoping to do, specifically with curfew centers, is provide a safe space for kids to be off the street but also to provide a wraparound of services for the families, which is very different,” Bullock added.
The groups are no strangers in partnering. The two often collaborated on projects, such as bringing the Poverty Action Fund to South Philadelphia, and they continue to partner with Community Legal Services.
The demographics of the area have changed along with the way people access services, so COO Francis Carney said the organization must evolve as well.
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“By being this larger, more dynamic, nimble sort of organization, which the merger allows us to do, we’re going to be able to move in that direction,” Carney said.
“The merger presents an unprecedented opportunity to create the largest nonprofit organization devoted to human empowerment, operating across the geographic spectrum from South Philadelphia throughout the entire Philadelphia region.”
He said there is a new synergy and excitement around the merger, but the rich history of both will not be forgotten.
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Instead, they will build upon the successes of programs like Dixon House and the Western Learning Center.
Their services include a community evening resource center, parenting, housing programs, early childhood, and at-risk youth programs.
Click here for more information on their programs.
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