"Our goal is to have this organization serve as a parachute for kids who fall through the cracks."
- Doris J. Harris, Executive Director

LEH: History and Vision

HISTORY:

The Louis E. Harris Center for Youth Development, Inc. was founded by five key individuals who knew Lou Harris and believed in his principles of making sure young people were cared for and taken good care of. His wife, Doris J. Harris played a pivotal role in bringing men and women together who valued young people and wanted to contribute to their growth and development.

In December 2003, the organization was incorporated. In February 2004, the organization received it's Certificate of Incorporation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, the organization submitted its tax exempt application to the Internal Revenue Service and in less than three months, received its tax exempt status, making it a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit eligible to apply for grants and submit proposals to foundations, local, state and federal government agencies.

The organization's bedrock principle is to make sure young people have the literacy skills and competencies to develop into healthy, law abiding and honorable community members. The organization believes young people are diamonds in the rough, waiting for shaping by caring and responsible adults.

VISION:

The vision of the Louis E. Harris Center for Youth Development, Inc. will be shaped by the young people who enter our doors. We know our legacy will be one where young people will enter our doors and learn literacy skills; receive tutoring services; and mentoring that will impact their life forever. We'll never know our reach and the impact it will have on young people.

It is our hope that we'll prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system by having mentors who steer them in the right direction. We hope that every young person who enters our doors will know how to read a label on a can; at the grocery story; a street sign; or a medicine bottle for their parents or elders. We know that our tutoring will prepare some of them for college, the military, and the working world.

Our Executive Director means what she says when she talks about serving as a parachute for kids who fall through the cracks. The vision is yet to be laid; but we know it will be shaped by listening to the young people who enter our doors and tell us their stories of triumphs and successes. We'll use their stories to shape future programs that will be responsive to current needs.

Join us as we change the landscape of Philadelphia's youth serving organizations!