Inner-City Nonprofit Celebrates 30 Years of Safe, Affordable Day Care and Early Childhood Education

Darlene Davis, Director of Finance at Porter's Day Care and Educational Center, addresses the crowd at the organization's 30th anniversary on June 24, 2011. Students from the center shared mime and vocal performances while local officials presented the Porter family with citations to recognize their success.

"Get up, speak to someone and give someone a hug," a beaming Davis said to the crowd of city leaders and Porter supporters.

The ceremony, which featured federal, state, city and community leaders, recognized the outstanding work that PDCEC has achieved throughout its history. With mime and vocal performances by current Porter students, the day was filled with prayer, song, dance and food. PDCEC founders were presented with citations from federal and state offices and received pearls to commemorate 30 years of dedicated service and leadership.

Van Williams, HUD Region III Senior Management Analyst, represented the agency in congratulating the Porter family for their continued success. Williams said that HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program helped to fund PDCEC's expansion.

"I was very moved by the celebration of the Porter family's 30 years of faithful service in fulfilling their dream of quality day care and education for infants, preschoolers and school age children in their community," Williams said. "They are the model of ?faith in action' through a myriad of quality services and programs dedicated to the uplifting of children and their families living in the Logan community, and throughout the city."

In 1981, PDCEC was established through the vision and support of the family's gospel singing group. Under the leadership of Deborah Greasham, Executive Director and founding member, her sister, Darlene Davis, and the board, PDCEC has become a pillar in the community providing a safe learning and recreational environment to children from nursery to age 16. The organization has received a "Keystone Four Star" rating from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of the Young Child. Located at 1434 Belfield Avenue in Center City, PDCEC is affiliated with countless hospitals and child care centers throughout the region.