ABOUT HEC

Board

of Directors

The Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition (HEC) is a nonprofit community organization with the mission of improving the quality of life for all residents of the Hawthorne Neighborhood of South Philadelphia.  Hawthorne is a neighborhood of approximately 3500 residents comprising the area bounded by Washington Avenue and South Streets on the north and south, and by Eleventh and Broad Streets on the East and West.  Established in 1999, HEC is a vital voice for neighborhood residents on issues affecting their lives, including crime prevention and control, zoning and code enforcement issues resulting from the neighborhood’s rapid development, maintaining open spaces, neighborhood greening and beautification, and educational activities for neighborhood youth. 

Recent and current activities include the creation of Hawthorne Park, a community park now under construction at 12^th and Catharine Streets (in collaboration with the Philadelphia Horticultural Society and City of Philadelphia); planting street trees; frequent Town Hall meetings with officers of the Third Police District to address street crime issues; and computer training classes for both adults and school-age children.

All residents of Hawthorne are eligible to join HEC.  We hold General Meetings on the second Tuesday of every month, at the Hawthorne Cultural Center, 12^th and Carpenter Streets, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Our meetings are open, and all residents and friends of Hawthorne are encouraged to attend. 

To serve ongoing neighborhood needs, HEC maintains standing Committees that include Zoning and Code Enforcement, Public Safety, Beautification, and Website.  For information on the work of these Committees and how to join, click the Committees link on our Home Page.