South Philadelphia: Programs Employing People

Four over forty years, Programs Employing People (PEP) have been serving the Philadelphia community. This non- profit organization was founded by a group of women who began a summer day camp for disabled children. Currently, the program has vastly grown and offers a variety of programs that provide support for people with developmental disabilities.

PEP now services over 300 people in the Philadelphia area, providing recreationally activities, educational programs and job placement services to people with mental handicaps. One of their programs include the production work center, which provides disabled adults with jobs at PEP. They are required to work 35 hours a week while being supervised by a trained employee. The goal of this particular program is to teach the worker new desired skills and techniques that they can use in all aspects of life. Their overall salary is determined by their output and production while on the job.

This is just one of the many programs offered by PEP. They also provide supporting employment, adult day programs, adult literacy and educational programs, arts and socialization programs, garden programs and camp PEP. Because 37 percent of this organization gains its funding by raising money or contributions, they hold a variety of events that raise money to support their programs. These activities include annual plant sales, flower sales and bowling fundraisers.

Since 1974 the nonprofit organization has offered manufacturing and production services as well. One of these services is the product assembly services. From kit assemblies to contract assemblies, their workers are able to do this because of their spacious work stations at PEP. Other manufacturing and production services at PEP are paper collating services, contract packaging services and document destruction services. Their facility maintenance services are also very widespread ranging from janitorial crews to window cleaning.

To provide all of these programs to the disabled, PEP’s budget is 2.9 million dollars. To help this organization with donations or volunteer work, visit their website.

By: Sheila Kane and James Rose

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