A Season of Change at Project HOME

As the days grow shorter and the leaves change color, fall signals a time of transition, renewal, and gratitude. It is a time to reflect on the road we have traveled and to prepare for the journey that lies ahead. It is a time to honor the legacy of our past and to
be inspired by our future.

There is a common expression that leaders often recite: “Standing on the shoulders of giants.” We use it to describe the civil rights leaders, glass ceiling breakers, and changemakers that came before us, often folks from generations past. Rarely do we get a chance to work alongside those giants. I’ve been fortunate. Before joining Project HOME, I served as a state representative advocating for legislation and policy to improve the lives of my fellow Philadelphians. My time in the legislature overlapped with legislative giants, including Congressman Dwight Evans, Mayor Cherelle Parker, State Senator Vincent Hughes, and Speaker Joanna McClinton. Prior to elected office, I worked for statesman and former Council President, Darrell Clarke, as well as at Community Legal Services, where I learned from public interest law stalwarts Jonathan Stein, Irv Ackelsberg, and George Gould. From these giants, I learned about the power of representative advocacy, and the benefits of empowering others in our community.

Sometimes giants are just regular folk—like my grandmother who taught me the importance of service at an early age. Faced with housing and food insecurity, my family sought relief from a local soup kitchen in New Jersey. My grandmother insisted that I volunteer after every meal. Whether it was sweeping the floor, washing dishes, or helping a senior, she told me that I should never need a reason to help others, nor should I ever have an excuse to not. She would go on to become the lead volunteer at the soup kitchen, and I would take her lessons of service with me as I advanced my
education and career.

Now, at Project HOME, I am fortunate to be in the proximity of giants once again. 

I am grateful for the foundation that Sister Mary Scullion and Joan McConnon have laid and for the opportunity to have their guidance during this season of transition. - Donna Bullock, President and CEO of Project HOME

Their stewardship and foresight have prepared Project HOME for its continued work under new leadership, and I am committed to building on that remarkable legacy.

This season of change at Project HOME presents an opportunity for our community to recommit to our shared values and our mission. As we move forward together, let us draw strength from the giants who came before us and the enduring spirit of service and compassion that has always guided our work. Let us fully invest in our comprehensive model of housing, employment, medical, and educational services. With your continued support, I am confident that we will rise to meet the challenges ahead and create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and for joining me on this journey. Together, we will continue the hard, but necessary work, to care for and bring our fellow Philadelphians home.