To view a slide show of the project,
click here >

The West Philadelphia Extreme Makeover Project

Last January, MCFS identified a West Philadelphia Property for its Behavioral Health and Adolescent Initiative Center.  There was one MAJOR PROBLEM HOWEVER! The home was badly in need of repairs! With pipes stolen from walls, floors, walls and ceilings destroyed, lots of trash and debris, and badly in need of painting, MCFS dream of opening a Philadelphia office did not appear possible. 

Although seeming impossible, MCFS believed in its potential and knew exactly who to call for help. Thus, with only a dream of making a sustainable difference in the lives of African and Caribbean immigrants residing in West Philadelphia, and no available funds for implementing that dream, MCFS Executive Director, Portia Kamara, reached out to faculty members Deborah Veraldi and Maria Stroup at the Shipley School regarding assistance with renovating its West Philadelphia property as part of Shipley’s Service Learning Program initiative.

The rest is HISTORY! With its history of compassionate participation in surrounding communities, Shipley graciously rose to the occasion. Not only did they provide in-kind and financial support for the renovation, Shipley also mobilized a conglomeration of students, parents and faculty to help out.

Dubbed the “Extreme West Philadelphia Makeover Project” and with more than 30 volunteers donating well over a combined 200 plus hours of service, which included removing over 50 bags of trash and gutting rotting areas in the house, installing sheet rock, a water meter and pipes, the Shipley community has once again put in action its commitment to helping others and supporting causes that extend far beyond the walls of the physical community of Shipley.   

Shipley has a long history of supporting MCFS. Early in the organization’s history and in subsequent years, Shipley donated computers to be utilized by MCFS staff and participants. While the renovation effort presented a completely different challenge, the Shipley family still found a way to help!

When the project is completed, MCFS will open a Behavioral Health and Adolescent Initiative Center in which social, educational and counseling services will be provided to at-risk Philadelphia youth and their families, with specific focus on working with African and Caribbean immigrants. 

As the Extreme West Philadelphia Makeover project approaches its one year anniversary, MCFS is grateful for the continued outpouring of support from the Shipley community.  MCFS especially thanks Dr. Steven Piltch, Head of School, faculty members Debbie Veraldi, Maria Stroup, Sandi Richard, Chris Nelson, Josh Berberian, Melissa Cardonna  and Christine Cookish,  for their leadership, expertise and support;  Barry Borden,  Mr. Berberian, Sr. and Shipley parent volunteers for their leadership, expertise and support; the Shipley student volunteers for their tremendous support and hard work, without whom our accomplishments would not be possible! And every other member of the Shipley Family who worked behind the scene to make our progress possible.

MCFS further wants to acknowledge the Wayne Presbyterian Church
and members Carey Davis, Bill Ecklund, Brian Ecklund, Angela Tait, Rachel Tait and Dan McPherson for volunteering a day of service at the West Philly project and making a huge difference in the basement (from
providing supplies, to putting on brightly color wall paints and removing
wall paper and debris from the basement bathroom.

The next dates of service for the West Philadelphia Extreme Makeover project are Tuesday January 26th and Thursday, February 25th.  If you or someone you know is interested in providing financial, in-kind, or volunteer support, please contact Portia Kamara at 484.461.8660.  To view a slide show of the project, please click here >

Please stay tuned for periodic updates on MCFS Extreme West Philadelphia Makeover Project!