LEVERAGE 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
Good evening and welcome to LEVERAGE 2025: Framing Future Impact
On behalf of the Community Design Collaborative Board of Directors and the Leverage Committee, it is our great pleasure to formally welcome you to this evening’s event. This is a special night for the Collaborative, and we are very thankful you have chosen to spend it with us.
Tonight, as we indulge in distinctive food and drinks from specially selected local chefs and eateries, we will celebrate the Collaborative’s recent projects and clients. We will also honor John W. Chin, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC).
WELCOME FROM OUR LEVERAGE CO-CHAIRS
More than 30 years ago, a dedicated group of a dozen volunteers founded the Collaborative with visions for how design could be used as a tool to transform the city. Thanks to the remarkable dedication and support from so many of you, we have continued to “leverage” assistance to countless nonprofit organizations, transforming aspirations into tangible improvements in our physical environment.
While we are proud of our accomplishments over the past three decades, there is still much work ahead. Your generous financial support is crucial in helping the Collaborative thrive and realize its vision for the future.
Thanks for working with us to improve the Greater Philadelphia region and Framing the Future Impact this industry continues to make.
Enjoy tonight’s celebration!
Your Leverage Co-Chairs, Harry Tapia, Board Co-Chair
Denise Richards, Resource Development Committee
Tya Winn Executive Director
5:30 PM
Cocktail Reception
Enjoy special culinary and dessert selections from our local chefs and artisans.
Joshua’s Catering
Darnel’s Cakes
Pennswoods Winery
Triple Bottom Brewing
2025 EVENT PROGRAM
7:00 PM
Welcome to Leverage 2025
Welcome from Harry Tapia Community Design Collaborative Board Co-Chair
Recognition of Sponsors, Committee, Staff, and Volunteers r
Community Design Collaborative Impact with Tya Winn
Community Design Collaborative Executive Directo
Presentation of Linchpin Award
Presentation of Anchor Award
Presentation of the 2025 Leverage Award
John W. Chin
Executive Director of PCDC
LEVERAGE 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
LEVERAGE 2025 HONOREE
John W. Chin
Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC)
2025 LEVERAGE AWARD
The Community Design Collaborative’s Leverage Award recognizes an individual whose professional or civic work has catalyzed community development and strengthened neighborhoods in Philadelphia and beyond.
“As we gather with our community collaborators this year, we honor a lifelong Philadelphian and a champion for affordable housing, healthy communities, and thriving neighborhoods—Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation’s John Chin,” said Tya Winn, Executive Director of the Community Design Collaborative. “Chin understands the importance of design in creating, building, and sustaining communities. For over 20 years, he has delivered vital family services and economic development initiatives for this 150-year-old neighborhood.”
John W. Chin is the Executive Director of PCDC and a lifelong resident of Philadelphia’s Chinatown. He attended Holy Redeemer School and Friends Select School and serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Friends Select School, and PHL Diversity. He is also a board member of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and a member of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD). Chin is deeply committed to preserving and growing Chinatown as a gateway for new immigrants, just as it was for his own family. In his free time, he enjoys watching crime procedurals, playing basketball, and cooking for his family.
“Caritas
Construction is a proud annual sponsor of the Community Design Collaborative”
MAI is proud to be a Corporate Champion supporting the C ommunity D esign C ollaborative since 1991
LEGAL COUNSEL TO THE DESIGN COMMUNITY
Construction,
Contract
Professional
KEVIN J. DMOCHOWSKY, ESQUIRE
VITTORIA D. GREENE, ESQUIRE
2025 LINCHPIN AWARD
Recognizing the collective efforts, expertise, and resources pooled to generate impactful ventures, this award celebrates the collaborative synergy among organizations, firms, funders, and community stakeholders who unite to shepherd projects to fruition.
Originating from the seed of a Community Design Collaborative initiative, we acknowledge that genuine labor commences the moment our team completes its Collaborative project and starts to move their project forward.
For over 30 years, the Collaborative’s early design assistance has helped local nonprofits succeed in the challenging arena of community and economic development.
Through design grants, initiatives, and technical assistance, our volunteer design professionals work side-by- side with communities to define their visions and move ahead with fundraising, building community and political support, and implementing projects.
2025 LINCHPIN NOMINEES
Eli Storch Chairman
Design Advocacy Group
Inform, Engage, Act
The Design Advocacy Group (DAG) is a public forum and advocate for design quality and equity in the planning, architecture, preservation and physical development of Philadelphia.
Matt Rader President PA Horticultural Society
PHS uses horticulture to increase four building blocks of health and well-being: access to fresh food, healthy living environments, deep social connections, and economic opportunities. We are a community of people and organizations who believe in the power of horticulture to make positive social and environmental change.
Owen Franklin Vice President
Great Lakes Region and Pennsylvania State Director Trust for Public Land
Access to nature and the outdoors—close to home, in the cities and communities where people live—is a matter of health, equity, and justice. That’s why we work alongside communities across the country to create, protect, and steward the nature-rich places that are vital to human well-being. We’re driven by four commitments: equity, health, climate, and community.
2025 ANCHOR AWARD WINNER THE YARD ON JOHN COLTRANE STREET
Recognizing the collective efforts, expertise, and resources pooled to generate impactful ventures, collaborative synergy among organizations, firms, funders, and community stakeholders who
Originating from the seed of a Community Design Collaborative initiative, we acknowledge moment our team completes its Collaborative project and starts to move their project forward.
Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corporation (SMCDC) is celebrating the legacy the neighborhood by preserving and revitalizing John Coltrane Street (1500 Block of N. Coltrane House. The Yard, located along this historic gateway corridor, is a new public outdoor SMCDC for Strawberry Mansion to celebrate its culture and build community!
In 2023 and 2024, SMCDC engaged community members at neighborhood meetings, design Learn Lab to create the plans for the first phase of improvements at The Yard. The space features including musical instruments, a reading nook, musical decals, and 2 free library exchanges. sails, a colorful mosaic mural and an outdoor art gallery that showcases art work created by There is ample seating and a stage for hosting a variety of performances, resource fairs, or
Strawberry Mansion CDC thanks our funders and planning team for investing their time, resources activate this beloved neighborhood space.
Funders:
Pennsylvania Blight Remediation Program
Community Design Collaborative
Philadelphia Commerce Department
Kaboom
Philadelphia Housing Authority
5th Council District
Reimagining the Civic Commons
Partners:
Fairmount Park Conservancy
Blunt Arc Consulting
Community Capacity Builders
Brothers of Nature Landscaping
Friends of The Yard
Fresh Artist
Tiny WPA
Masters Group Design
Friends of the Tanner House
Strawberry Mansion Micheal Architecture
STREET
ventures, this award celebrates the who unite to shepherd projects to fruition.
that genuine labor commences the forward.
legacy of jazz music and culture in 33rd Street), home of the historic outdoor space developed by
design workshops, and a Youth Play and features playful learning elements, exchanges. Visitors are welcomed with shade by Strawberry Mansion students. space for neighbors to gather.
resources and care in helping us to Planning Team:
Mansion Community Development Corporation
Watch Dog Project Management
Amita Weldon, Consultant
Kelly Maiello Architects
Johns- MDEsigns & MWJ Consulting LLC
Architecture Planning Development
CinéSPEAK I Brick-and-Mortar Cinema
Since starting in 2013, cinéSPEAK has become well-regarded in the local film and arts communities for its partnerships and film screenings but still doesn’t have a permanent home. With a dedicated space, cinéSPEAK could grow its programming and do even more to tell underrepresented stories and uplift local independent filmmakers. The Collaborative partnered with Interface Studio Architects (ISA) to conduct a design study to determine feasibility and design options for cineSPEAK to occupy the historic Rotunda building on the University of Pennsylvania campus. In the resulting design schemes, the volunteer team creatively outlines a phased approach and optionality for activating spaces inside and outside the Rotunda.
Volunteers: Gabe Canuso, Kristin DeMarco, Deborah Katz, Brian Phillips, Jonathan Porat, Sasha Spriggs
Purpose Plaza
St. Paul AME Church, a predominantly Black congregation deep in Southwest Philly, was forced to relocate to its current location several years ago. The new church facility they built has proven inadequate for their worship needs and growing community programming. The Collaborative and volunteer design team were tasked with exploring options for expansion.
The design for the expansion incorporates larger, flexible spaces that allow for an improved worship experience, integrate better spaces for community gatherings and community programming such as food giveaways, and create opportunities for new revenue streams. The design also includes an outdoor plaza, parking, and new landscaping.
Volunteers: Ramala Benassia, Robert H. Shamble, Tyler Dolgas, Rebecca Smith
St. Paul AME Church I The
COMPLETED PROJECTS
SLA at Beeber I Schoolyard Project
Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, located in the Wynnefield/Overbrook area of West Philadelphia, sought to redesign their schoolyard as a safer, more fun, and more attractive space for their students and school community to play and learn. Sadly, like many Philadelphia schools, the current schoolyard is largely barren asphalt, with no playground equipment and no dedicated space for kids to play or learn. However, with input from the school staff, students, and parents, the project design reimagines the schoolyard as a dynamic space with new amenities for sports courts, play equipment, greenery, seating, and outdoor learning. The project also considered stormwater management and site accessibility.
Volunteers: Praveegya Adhakari, Marc Cooper, Janyah Green, Jake Lightman, Chongba Sherpa, Joann Zihan
Mt Vernon Manor I Enhancing Mantua Urban Peace Garden
Having recently acquired land adjacent to the garden, MUPG and MVM sought the Collaborative’s assistance with designing garden upgrades and expansion. Taking careful consideration of input from the MUPG board and community stakeholders, the volunteer team thoughtfully reimagined the garden to include new planter beds, fencing and signage; spaces for gathering and relaxing; accessible walking paths; and infrastructure for storage, shade, and water. In their conceptual design, the volunteers bring to life a vision of the garden as a space not just for planting and harvesting, but as an outdoor hub for community building and education.
Francesca
Volunteers:
Arrieta, Andrew Cho, Brynne Mulloy, Chongba Sherpa, Tyler Stull, Paola Zarate
Philly House I Front Porch
Philly House is a longstanding homelessness services hub and the largest men’s homeless shelter in the city. The project site at 13th Street in Center City provides overnight shelter to more than 200 men and serves three meals daily. Philly House, a prior Collaborative client, sought assistance for a design intervention to create an inviting pedestrian plaza in front of their building on 13th Street. The design team sought to create a dignified space for Philly House’s guests and visitors, and explore ways to incorporate special amenities. This project was part of a series of pilot projects examining place-making design in the public right of way, in collaboration with StreetBoxPHL, who provided additional technical guidance.
Volunteers: Chris DeBruyn, Keyleigh Kern, Mark Mullin, Brynne Mulloy, Samantha Petty
SLA Middle School I Intersection Intervention
Science Leadership Academy Middle School sought assistance designing a corner clearance intersection intervention to make the intersection by the school’s main entrance safer for students and their families. Incorporating feedback from the school principal, a focus group of students, and a survey of the school community, the volunteer team designed intervention options that sought to enhance safety and improve aesthetics at the intersection through use of posts, planters, and asphalt paint. The design team also documented and provided recommendations on some or the larger issues related to safety challenges on the streets around the school, including staff parking, drop off and pick up logistics, and coordination with the community regarding other challenging intersections.
Volunteers: Yael Asman, Carmen Bushong, Christy Morin, Marvin Ta, Chris DeBruyn
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Strawberry Mansion I Tranquil Triangle
Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corp. (SMCDC) leads revitalization, preservation, place-making, cleaning, and resident assistance initiatives around their North Philadelphia neighborhood. They sought the Collaborative’s assistance to design a ‘’pedestrian plaza’’ for the refuge island at the intersection of Ridge Ave, W York St, and N 33rd St. The volunteer team developed a design for the triangle with the aim to improve pedestrian safety, bridge the neighborhood with Fairmount Park, and celebrate neighborhood history and identity. The final design includes safety-minded posts and paint; a strawberry-shaped planter arrangement; seating designed to encourage respite while discouraging loitering; and signage to orient pedestrians, honor neighborhood history, and advertise community resources and events.
Volunteers: Riddhi Batra, Liz Russell, Jake Tiernan, Zuzanna Bojarska, Eric Mason, Chris DeBruyn
Camp Endeavor I Community Center
Camp Endeavor provides out-of-school, STEM-focused programming to low-income Philadelphia youth. They have a vision to open a facility to serve as their offices and programming base, as well as a hub for other like-minded youth service providers and community-based small businesses. Working with a volunteer team led by LO Design, they explored programming options and overlayed their program onto an example site to test fit and cost. These types of technical assistance projects can help clients better understand their space needs, narrow their focus, and assess options before making big investments and tough real estate decisions.
Volunteers: Lea Litvin, Evan Litvin, Jo Dean Chris DeBruyn
Oshun Family Center I Building on the Village Feasibility Study
Oshun Family Center provides racially concordant care to members of the Black community, with a special focus on Black maternal wellness. Their dream is to open a center that provides holistic and equitable health services related to reproductive and mental health. The center’s vision is to be the first Black-led and woman-run maternal wellness center that provides members seeking services to be matched with providers with racial, ethnic, and/or cultural concordance.
An an all-women volunteer team led by FIFTEEN Architecture+ Design conducted an initial technical assistance design study with Oshun staff and leadership, during which they explored programming options, feasibility, and rehab cost scenarios for a potential site.
Volunteers: Jennifer Yun-Fullen, Jill Lavine Katrina Connors, Ramune Bartuskaite, Rachel Thurston
Philly Truce I Transitional Housing Study
Philly Truce is a nonprofit committed to fostering peace and empowering communities in Philadelphia, with a primary focus on young men of color impacted by violence. Our conceptual design adapts their large twin house in Germantown into transitional living space that offers the young men a safe haven and foundation for rebuilding their futures. Informed by input from Philly Truce leadership and youth stakeholders, CDC designed the space to balance privacy with community connection by creating shared living areas, individual sleeping quarters, and flexible multi-use spaces for programming. The design respects the architectural integrity of the historic structure while modernizing it to serve its new purpose.
Volunteers: Tim Kenny, Nate Mollway, Julie Morningstar, Robert Siglin, Lilly Strom, Alejandra Velasquez
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Nicetown CDC I Sports Court Revisited
The Collaborative and a volunteer design team from Stantec provided technical assistance to Nicetown CDC, revisiting a prior Collaborative conceptual design project that explored the activation of underutilized space under the Roosevelt Boulevard Expressway for community benefit and recreation. Given funding opportunities and potential synergy with infrastructure work being undertaken in the area by the city and state, there is a renewed push by Nicetown CDC to implement aspects of the original plan. The design team examined how planned new storm water infrastructure overlays with the original conceptual design, and provided recommendations on next steps to finally move into design, permitting, and construction.
Volunteers: Evan Wilbert & Jessica Drager
Chef Reeky’s Cafe I Storefront Design
As part of our work with the city’s Department of Commerce, the Collaborative worked with a volunteer design team from Ian Smith Design Group to reimagine the storefront of Chef Reeky’s Cafe & Juice Bar on Elmwood Ave in Southwest Philadelphia. Chef Reeky is a chef and entrepreneur. For this location, he had an eye towards investing in and bringing fun, high quality food to an area that has seen less of both in recent years. The design team met with Chef Reeky to hear his vision, presented several design options, and ultimately landed on a final design featuring a sleek look to the building exterior, including new facade paneling, a new color palette to include paint work, a new awning and new hanging sign insert, and new and improved lighting.
Volunteers: Ian Smith, Sarah Zubler, Tim Kenny
COLLABORATIVE 2024
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Design Clinic
As part of a day of service and training, the Collaborative invited four clients to sit with volunteers for on-the-spot designing to provide initial guidance on their respective project concepts and challenges. Clients got real-time feedback and recommendations on their potential projects, and volunteers had fun flexing their old-school design muscles with hand sketches and quick, thoughtful iterating. The vibes in the room were positive as each team shared out their findings and design concepts, and each client later received a mini final report documenting the site context, designs, and recommendations that emerged from the design clinic. Inspired by the day’s success, the Collaborative is exploring ways to annually offer this type of shorter, charette-oriented design project opportunity to clients and volunteers.
Volunteers:
Ben Willis, Garlen Capita, Karla Wursthorn, Ramune Bartuskaite, Liza Niles, Michael Gagnon, Scott O’Barr, Michael Spain, Harper Yatvin, Alden Blyth, Yu Hong Chen, Yadan Luo, Ebony Powell, Anastasia Titus
The Salon: Film Production Hub
COLLABORATIVE 2024
COMPLETED PROJECTS
ACHIEVEability
The Collaborative and a volunteer design team from EwingCole provided assistance to ACHIEVEability for storefront designs on the 60th St commercial corridor in West Philadelphia. The team worked with ACHIEVEability, acting as a community development intermediary, and four corridor small businesses on design concepts to upgrade their storefront facades. The services provided for this project are part of the Collaborative’s contract with the city’s Department of Commerce, and are meant to aid the businesses and ACHIEVEability in applying for Commerce’s Storefront Improvement Program funding. Of the four businesses assisted, all four are Black-owned, three are womenowned, and three are “legacy businesses’’ who have been a positive presence on the commercial corridor for a long time - one as far back as 1947! This reflects shared goals of Commerce and the Collaborative to support minority-owned, women-owned, and legacy businesses on neighborhood commercial corridors.
Volunteers:
Katrina Healy, Kody Cheung, Huichao Dong, Jessica Moore, Brett Spearman, Andrew Donaldson-Evans, Conrad Talley, Tim Kenny
Ali’s Barbershop
Garris Fabrics & Fashions KeeBoom’s Kitchen
L&L Dance Studio
PulleyPULLEYSponsor! SPONSOR
T-Square Sponsors!
T - SQAURE SPONSORS
Compass Sponsors!
COMPASS SPONSORS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 LEVERAGE AWARD HONOREES! O’Donnell & Naccarato proudly supports the Community Design Collaborative and their continued fostering of communityengaged design.
Old First House
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
We’re grateful to the following supporters for their generous contributions.
Diamond & Associates
Cellar Dog
JKRP
Joseph B. Callaghan
OZ Collaborative
Pennswoods Winery
React Environmental Professional Services Group, Inc. (REPSG)
SCHRADERGROUP, a Hord Coplan Macht Studio
SEIC
Triple Bottom Brewing
LEVERAGE PATRONS
Moto Design Shop
Interface Studio
Alice K Berman Associates, LLC
PZS Architects
Conspectus, Inc.
Atkin Olshin Schade Architects
DIGSAU
Geraldine Wang
Nason Construction
Finanta
Gensler
Design that Inspires
hdrinc.com
2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Harry Tapia - Co-Chair | HACE
Sybille Damas - Co-Chair | United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Katherine Antarikso | HOK
Katrina Connors | FIFTEEN
Richard Davies, Esq., Hon. AIA | Milber Makris Plousadis & Seiden, LLP
Jennifer Feden, Esq. | Ballard Spahr LLP
Kevin Flynn, PE | AKRF, Inc.
Maria Granholm, Esq. | Duane Morris
Kenneth Johnson, Esq., MCP, NCARB, AIA, NOMA | Architecture, Urban Design, and Policy
Rebecca Johnson | AIA Philadelphia
Matthew Keen | Diamond and Associates
Lea Oxenhandler Litvin, AIA | LO Design
Julie Morningstar | Moto Designshop
Denise Richards, PE | Keast & Hood
Haley Schmidt | David Mason + Associates
Tobin Stuff | Interface Studio
Meagan Whetstone, AIA | Mosaic Development Partners
Evan Wilbert, PE | Stantec
Sarai Williams | BDP Impact Real Estate
We create places that help communities thrive
As a multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental, and planning firm, Stantec brings a deep bench to support our communities with a full spectrum of services.
Northeast Community Propel Academy, School District of Philadelphia
2025 ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Alice Berman, AIA* | Alice K. Berman Associates, LLC, Co-Chair
Cheryl Conley | Co-Chair
Jody Arena | Caritas Construction
John Donch, Jr. | Volpe Koenig, PC
Daryn Edwards | Cicada
Andy Frishkoff | Philadelphia LISC
Michael Funk | ICI Construction
Dan Garofalo, AIA* | Architect, Civic Design Review
David Gest | Chestnut Hill Conservancy
Eva Gladstein | City of Philadelphia Managing Director’s Office
Jeffrey Goldstein | DIGSAU
John Grady | Wexford Science and Technology
Rose Gray | Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha for Everyone (APM)
Alan Greenberger | FAIA | Drexel University
Sally Harrison, AIA* | Temple University
James Hartling | Urban Partners
Carol Horne Penn, Esq. | Gilbane
Rev. Robin Hynicka | Arch Street United Methodist Church
Michael Johns | FAIA | Mdesigns + MWJ Consulting LLC
Howard Lebold, AIA* | McGillin Architecture, Inc.
Nora Lichtash | Women’s Community Revitalization Project
Joseph Matje| | J&M Engineering
Don Matzkin* | Retired Architect
Megan McGinley | Architectural Consultant
Darrick Mix | Duane Morris, LLP
Beth Miller* | Becker & Frondorf
Tom Nason, II | Nason Construction, Inc.
Scott Page | Interface Studio LLC
Laura Raymond | Associate AIA | Slate Design + Consulting
James Rowe | AIA | Studio Agoos Lovera
Rick Sauer | Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC)
Jerome Shabazz | Overbrook Environmental Education Center
Robert Shamble | Ramla Benaisa Architects
Michael Spain | AIA Philadelphia
Kira Strong | High Line Network
Andy Toy | City of Philadelphia
2025 RDC COMMITTEE
Denise Richards, RDC Co-Chair
Matthew Keen, RDC Co-Chair
Alice Berman
Sybille Damas
Rich Davies
Nathaniel Fletcher
Corin Gearhart
Christine Larsen
Howard Lebold
Charlie Moleski
Haley Schmidt
Harry Tapia
Sarai Willaims
2025 EVENT SUBCOMMITTEE
Katherine Antarikso
Katrina Connors
Daryn Edwards
Tobin Stuff
Meagan Whetstone
STAFF
Tya Winn | Executive Director
Jesse Blitzstein | Design Services Director
Ana Gabriela Jiménez | Program Manager
Tyler Ray | Program Manager
Tazianna Footman | Design Services Assistant
CONSULTANTS
Joel Avery | Creativeness Inc.
Lee Broderick | Tech Impact
Deanna Johnson | Communications Consultant
Simone Labbance | Impact Innovations: Fundraising & Technology
Joe Martinelli | Finance Consultant
LEVERAGE TEAM
LaCroix Communications LLC | Public Relations
Octo Design Group | Event Design and Management
Why Give to the Community Design Collaborative?
Design has the power to transform not just buildings, but lives.
The Community Design Collaborative puts that power in service of communities that have historically been left out of design conversations.
When you give to CDC, you help bring design equity to life. Your donation supports design services for grassroots organizations, community centers, schools, and neighborhoods across Philadelphia.
These aren’t abstract ideas: they’re real spaces where people gather, grow, and build futures together.
With your support, we:
• provide community-based organizations with access to professional design expertise
• help neighborhoods turn bold ideas into buildable plans
• strengthen the capacity of local leaders and nonprofits to advocate for their communities
• create a pipeline for more equitable, inclusive, and responsive design solutions
• engage hundreds of volunteer design professionals in work that reflects their values
This year’s Leverage theme, Framing Future Impact, is more than just a tagline. It’s a call to action to invest in the systems, relationships, and ideas that shape a better city.
If you believe that every neighborhood deserves access to thoughtful, inclusive design, join us by giving.
Thank you for helping us design a more equitable Philadelphia, one project, one partner, one community at a time!
Learn more and donate at leverage2025.funraise.org/page/donate
David W. Mason
