Helen Brown Community Center
A Hub For Community Engagement In The Heart Of North Philadelphia
Affordable housing is just the start of ending chronic street homelessness. It requires support and resources at the community level to touch the lives of those who need it most to break the cycle of homelessness. Beyond providing affordable housing and services, Project HOME is focused on community development and working to alleviate the underlying causes of homelessness and empower individuals and families to achieve their fullest potential.
For nearly three decades, The Helen Brown Community Center (HBCC) has been the hub of Project HOME’s community development work in the old St. Elizabeth’s neighborhood, serving as a resource for community meetings and celebrations and as a place of food distribution through our food pantry and holiday programs.
HBCC is the beating heart of the work we do, rooted in dignity and community. Project HOME’s neighborhood services team engages with community members, local leaders, and partner organizations to build and strengthen communication and participation in our community committee and action teams, focusing on:
- Cleaning and greening
- Food security
- Housing stability
- Connection to healthcare, education, and employment
Meals, Food Pantries, And Celebrations
Food insecurity and hunger are basic needs that must be addressed in order for further steps to be taken on an individual’s journey from homelessness to stability. At Project HOME’s Hub of Hope engagement center, we offer meals and coffee to those currently experiencing homelessness. At our entry-level safe havens and respites, residents are provided with three nutritious meals per day. It is crucial for residents at these early stages to have the security of regular food support in order to be able to fully participate in their goals for permanent housing and recovery.
For those living in our Lower North Philadelphia community, Project HOME provides two food pantries at the Helen Brown Community Center and the Stephen Klein Wellness Center. We are adapting to the needs of the community, piloting Saturday hours and partnering with Philabundance and Sanctuary Farm to ensure a steady supply of quality food and fresh produce. Planned renovations to the Helen Brown Community Center will include new refrigeration and increased accessibility. In addition to regular pantry service, Project HOME distributes more than 600 turkeys with boxes of Thanksgiving sides in the community each Thanksgiving.
Additional Information
The Helen Brown Community Center’s food pantry is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The pantry is now open every third Saturday from 1-4 pm. No I.D. is required.
The Helen Brown Community Center also distributes turkey baskets at Thanksgiving.
Donations of non-perishable food items are always needed; please call ahead prior to delivery.
For more information, please contact Priscilla “Ms. Tee” Brown at 215-235-3110 x 5611.
Additional food pantries can be found at the website of Coalition Against Hunger.
The Helen Brown Community Center at St. Elizabeth’s serves as a community meeting space where the St. Elizabeth’s Registered Community Organization (RCO), block captains, and other community organizations gather to conduct community-related business.
St. Elizabeth's Community Committee: First Monday Meetings
The St. Elizabeth’s Community Committee is a group of residents who want to work for the betterment of the community. The group’s Communications Action Team and Cleaning and Greening Action Team are currently focusing on seasonal clean-ups. St. Elizabeth’s Community Committee meets on First Mondays, at 5:30 p.m., at the Helen Brown Community Center.
