MAYOR NUTTER SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER, ESTABLISHES MAYOR’S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND OPPORTUNITY
Philadelphia, January 15, 2013 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter signed an Executive Order establishing the Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO), which will work to develop the City of Philadelphia’s anti-poverty plan and increase opportunities for low income individuals and families. The CEO will replace the Mayor’s Office of Community Services and have additional responsibilities to advance and coordinate anti-poverty efforts.
“Poverty is a persistent and debilitating problem in Philadelphia, affecting more than 28% of our citizens. The continuing problem of poverty is unacceptable,” said Mayor Nutter. “By re-organizing and focusing our poverty reduction and opportunity creation efforts, we can better serve individuals in need and build a brighter future for our great City.”
The CEO will manage the Community Service Block Grant funds. It will also serve as a single point of contact and accountability for the City’s anti-poverty efforts, while supporting City departments and lead agencies in meeting their yearly anti-poverty goals. The CEO will evaluate the effectiveness of anti-poverty pilots and programs and convene stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration.
Mayor Nutter announced that the Eva Gladstein has been named the Executive Director of the CEO. “I look forward with immense anticipation to this new challenge, collaborating with those inside and outside of government, who work every day to help create opportunities for individuals and communities, focusing on improving the impact of these efforts, and communicating success when we achieve it,” Gladstein said.
The Executive Order also created a CEO oversight board, which will help the City develop partnerships, strategies and infrastructure to support the City’s anti-poverty goals and hold the CEO accountable for meeting those goals.
The oversight board is comprised of City officials, advocates, business, non-profit and academic leaders and community representatives. Board members will serve two-year terms.
Oversight Board