Office of Community Affairs records

The Office of Community Affairs was founded in 1970 in order to coordinate revitalization efforts and establish cooperation between Drexel and community organizations in the West Philadelphia communities of Mantua, Powelton Village, and Belmont. Shortly after it was established, it took on responsibility for government relations as well and became the Office of Community Affairs and Government Relations. The two functions were handled by different staff members and jointly overseen by Vice President J. K. Lee Smith; community affairs operations were led by Frances Davis. Community Affairs was involved in planning and coordinating community service activities such as educational programs and scholarships, employment and youth corps, community health care, summer camps, and recreational activities. Later, the office represented Drexel in the West Philadelphia Corporation, a coalition of local colleges and universities interested in community and industrial development for West Philadelphia. In 1985, community affairs functions were moved to the Office of University Relations, where it remained more or less as a distinct unit under Mrs. Davis's leadership until 1993.

This collection consists primarily of subject files related to neighborhood redevelopment organizations, community groups, and institutions with which the Office of Community Affairs was involved. Also included are files on the various projects and activities sponsored or supported by Drexel through the Office of Community Affairs, administrative files collected from other Drexel offices and departments, and subject files related to prominent West Philadelphia community leaders such as Chakah Fattah. Included are office reports, newspaper clippings, brochures, police reports, catalogues, photographs, press releases, fliers, correspondence, and the notes of Frances Davis.

Annual reports of the Office of Community Affairs, 1970-1982, can be found in Annual reports (Collection UR.03.013), Drexel University Archives.

Preferred Citation

Office of Community Affairs records, 1973-1992 (Collection UR.10.004), Drexel University Archives.

Publisher

Drexel University Archives

Finding aids author

David Kruidenier, Rob Sieczkiewicz

Date

revised 10/25/2023

Creator

Drexel University. Office of Community Affairs

Subject

Community development, Urban -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Crime prevention -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Community and college -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Citizens' associations

Drexel University -- History

Neighborhood government -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Organization

West Philadelphia Corporation (Philadelphia, Pa.)

University City (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Place

West Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Language

English