Donna M. Henry, Executive Director
215-729-7441 email click here
Donna M. Henry has been Southwest CDC's Executive Director since October 1994 and has worked in the housing and community development field since 1987. She has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture (1987) and a Masters of Science in Community Economic Development (1999). She has also raised over $2 million in grants and fee-for-service contracts in the last 4 years.

Economic and Community Development

Paige Huey, Project Manager, Woodland Avenue Revitalization

215-729-0729  email click here

Elhadji Ndiaye , Project Corridor Liason, Woodland Avenue Revitalization

267-495-4163           email click here

Elhadji started working with Southwest CDC's Woodland Avenue Revitalization Program in 2011. He is assisting Vaughn Taylor (Project Manager, Woodland Avenue Revitalization). Their objective is to help businesses understand what they need to do to operate in the City of Philadelphia and identify resources in the City and elsewhere in order to improve business. In addition to that, they will outreach to African and Caribbean business community to help them overcome language and cultural differences that make doing business in the US harder.

We are working for the Commerce Department, which is dedicated to make Philadelphia a more business-friendly environment for all types of business. Finally; we will provide incentives and fund programs to make businesses more successful in Philadelphia.

Housing Counseling

Deirdre Lowman, Housing Counseling Program Coordinator

215-729-5072email click here

Arlene Cole, Housing Counselor

215-729-0180email click here

Alexis Williams, Housing Counselor

215-729-3293email click here

Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC)

Edith L. Dixon , NAC Community Organizer
215-729-4546email click here
Edith L. Dixon started working with Southwest CDC in July 2005. She is one of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) community organizer’s under the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Housing and Community Development, and an editor of the Southwest Globe Times newspaper. She has a BA degree in Philosophy from Tuskegee Institute, and an MA degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley. Edith moderates the NAC Zoning Sub-Committee, reviewing requests for area zoning changes, and testifies regularly before the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustments.

Elhadji Ndiaye , NAC Community Organizer

267-495-4163          email click here

Elhadji Ndiaye has extensive community organizing, event logistics and fundraising experience. He is currently one of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) community organizer’s under the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Housing and Community Development. He has an Associate Degree in Social Sciences and Mathematics. He will help create and oversee programs that benefit neighborhoods, nonprofits, volunteer organizations and the community as a whole. He believes that the job of a community organizer is primarily one of managing people and schedules. With the partnership of community and religious group, He will develop the sustainability of communities through grassroots campaigns. On that note, his role will be to: improve the livelyhood of the communities by solving conflicts, improve economic outlooks, set goals and deadlines, and create positive change.

Southwest CDC After School Program-Summer Camp at Patterson Elementary

Jackie Simmons, Program Coordinator
215-730-0450email click here
Jackie Simmons has been with Southwest CDC since 2003. She oversees the administration of New Start programs. Jackie facilitates strengthening families (parenting) workshops. Through partnerships and collaborations, Jackie works with several organizations in Southwest dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents and their children. Jackie has over 8 years experience working with children and families.

Doua Her , Program Coordinator

215-730-0450         email click here

Doua Her has joined the Southwest CDC ASP staff since September 2011.  He has finished his MA in Education from the University of California Davis and also holds a CA Single Subject Social Studies Credential.  He loves working to empower youth and promotes higher education.  He is extremely happy to join Southwest CDC and plans to make an immediate impact on the students attending the After School Program at Patterson Elementary in Southwest Philadelphia.    

Nikkia Brown, Program Assistant/Group Leader

215-729-0831email click here

Group Leaders

Louis Baxter

Melvin Draughn

Mohammed Fofana

Sharon Faulk

Crystal Speaks

Lietica Mullins

Self Sufficiency Programs

Denisha Carr Carr , Case Manager for Self-Sufficiency

215-729-0736 email click here

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement - Equal Employment Opportunity

An open and equitable personnel system will be established and maintained.  Personnel policies, procedures and practices will be designed to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, or sex.

Employment opportunities shall be provided for applicants with disabilities and reasonable accommodation(s) shall be made to meet the physical or mental limitations of qualified applicants or employees.

Any employee who believes they have been discriminated against, may file a complaint of discrimination with any of the following.