Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity

The Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) is the City of Philadelphia office that advocates for and invests in programs to reduce poverty. Its stated aim is "promoting a more equitable Philadelphia where all residents can share in the city's prosperous future."^[1] It is the city's Community Action Agency, a federally recognized designation created by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 under which local agencies receive Community Services Block Grant money to fight poverty. CEO is a city office, not a nonprofit.

1 Mission and focus areas

CEO describes four areas of work: benefits access, financial empowerment, housing security and workforce development.^[1] Because it is a Community Action Agency, it is expected to use needs assessments to shape priorities; the office published a 2024 community needs assessment on phila.gov.^[2]

2 Key programs

BenePhilly offers free help applying for public benefits such as food assistance and utility help. Financial Empowerment Centers provide free one-on-one financial counseling and help opening affordable bank accounts. In housing security the office partners on initiatives including the West Philadelphia Promise Zone. In workforce development it runs programs such as the Civic Engagement Academy.^[1] Historically CEO also housed other anti-poverty functions; the city's workforce functions were reorganized in 2018 and again around 2020, as described in Office of Workforce Development.

The City's page also lists the West Philadelphia Promise Zone, a partnership addressing housing, economic opportunity, education, health and safety, and the Philadelphia Consumer Financial Protection Task Force, which coordinates enforcement and outreach on consumer finance.^[1] The Civic Engagement Academy trains community leaders. As a Community Action Agency, the office has served in that role since 1964 and awards grant funding to community organizations working on benefits access, financial empowerment, housing security and workforce development. Residents are most likely to meet the office through BenePhilly counselors, who help people apply for benefits, or through the free one-on-one sessions at Financial Empowerment Centers.

3 Leadership

Mayor Cherelle Parker named Orlando Rendón, the former Parks and Recreation commissioner, as executive director in March 2024, citing his experience in the Managing Director's Office and at Aspira.^[3] The executive director is appointed by the Mayor. The office also supports a tripartite advisory board required of Community Action Agencies, with representatives of government, the private sector and low-income communities; confirm current membership with the office.

4 Relationships with other bodies

CEO works with the Division of Housing and Community Development, the Office of Homeless Services, the Department of Human Services and nonprofit partners such as community development corporations and legal aid groups (see Legal Aid and Public Interest Law). Funding comes from the city, federal block grants and philanthropic partners; see Philanthropy in Philadelphia.

5 Using CEO services

Residents can contact the office at (215) 685-3600 or ceoinfo@phila.gov to find benefits help or a financial counseling center.^[1] Eligibility rules vary by program. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.

See also: Office of Children and Families, Mayor's Cabinet and Offices, How to Get Help From the City.

References

1. City of Philadelphia, Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, department page, phila.gov.
2. Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, Community Needs Assessment 2024 (phila.gov).
3. City of Philadelphia, "Mayor Cherelle L. Parker continues leadership appointments to Parker administration," March 19, 2024 (phila.gov).