For 45 years, ACHIEVEability has helped West Philadelphia families turn the thought of a better future into an achievable reality.
The nonprofit, which started in 1981, was originally dubbed Philadelphians Concerned About Housing, and began with a simple belief — every family deserves a safe, stable place to call home.
Since then, that mission has grown, and today, ACHIEVEability serves nearly 4,000 residents annually, connecting Philadelphians with the resources, opportunities and support they need.
To celebrate the efforts of the organization, the nonprofit will kick off its 45th anniversary this week on Thursday, Oct. 29, with a celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts (5201 Parkside Ave.)
The event will bring together community members, supporters and partners to “honor the people who have shaped the organization’s journey and the collaborations that have helped sustain its mission for more than four decades.” The gala will also celebrate the work still underway for the group, and tickets (starting around $125) are available online.
While housing remains at the heart of its mission, ACHIEVEability recognizes that a stable home is just one piece of the puzzle.
As a release notes, through three core initiatives — the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSSP), ACHIEVEability Connects and WorkSmart West Philly — the organization takes a comprehensive approach to helping residents move forward. Its programs span housing assistance, education, workforce development, financial coaching, small-business development, wealth-building and neighborhood revitalization.
And the impact reaches far beyond any single household. ACHIEVEability is helping families build generational wealth, creating pathways to careers in technology, supporting efforts to curb gun violence and making West Philadelphia neighborhoods more beautiful and vibrant.
Over the past four decades, ACHIEVEability has expanded career pathways, invested in the 60th Street Commercial Corridor and led initiatives like TechUp and 60th Street Strong. The results? In TechUp’s most recent cohort, 91% of participants earned a Salesforce credential and secured jobs starting at $50,000. Meanwhile, 83% of more than 500 young adults served by 60th Street Strong reported no new incidents of gun violence.
Executive Director Jamila Harris-Morrison’s journey at ACHIEVEability started in 2006 as a Family Self-Sufficiency Program Coach, working directly with residents. Morrison rose through the ranks before becoming Executive Director in 2017.
“For 45 years, ACHIEVEability has grown and evolved alongside West Philadelphia,” says Morrison. “What started with helping families find stable housing has grown into work that addresses the many barriers that keep families from building economic stability. When a parent earns a degree, moves into stable housing, or reaches greater financial security, that progress can open possibilities for an entire family.
"This anniversary is a chance to celebrate how far we've come and recommit to what our neighbors tell us they need next.”
To learn more information about ACHIEVEability or to make a donation, visit achieveability.org
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