The Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit (the Center) is a relatively new locus and a catalyst for educating and mobilizing the Northwest Philadelphia community toward a sustainable future.
The Center was founded in 2004 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill. The vision for the Center is to bring an urban community together through the arts and through spirituality to reflect upon and act on the need to respect and protect the environment.
The Cecilian Center is an important example of recycling and reusing an existing structure. The Center occupies part of a facility that served as a private girl's school for over 80 years located at Carpenter Lane and Cresheim Valley Road (one block west of Germantown Ave.).
Over the past three years, the Cecilian Center has engaged a wide range of individuals and families in programs centered on how to protect and sustain the local and the global environment. The Center is enjoying a reputation as a place where one can grow in one's being a caring steward of the earth and experience or express one's joy of living through diverse workshops and activities in the arts, in spirituality, and in education to action.
The Cecilian Center operates with 3 paid staff and 3 volunteer workers by the generous grace of the Sisters of St. Joseph and small foundation grants. All tuition income from the workshops goes to pay the presenters and provide materials. The Center continues to explore a variety of ways to become financially self-sufficient, but has not yet arrived at a successful formula.
Sustainability Narrative
The contribution of the Center to the cultural shift toward sustainability is impressive for such a young organization and there is promise for strong future growth. The Center has offered more than 100 workshops on topics ranging from Beginning Quilting to Mindfulness Mediation to Living the Earth Charter to Drumming for Peace. In addition, the Center sponsors special, one-time events such as Earth Day Celebrations, book readings and signings, recycling workshops, "Step Away for a Day," a quarterly event for high risk mothers and children to foster greater appreciation for the value of holistic health and sustainable living. In total the programs have benefited nearly 300 men, women and children.
The catalogue of course offerings for Winter 2007 includes workshops entitled: Cool Cities Campaign; Global Warming; and Organic Gardening; in addition to others focused on arts, music, crafts, prayer and spirituality. The Center has also lent support to the Community Supported Agriculture movement by providing a location for community members to learn about and sign up for a weekly local produce program, and then by serving as a pick-up location for the farmer's produce from Somerton Tanks farm.
The Center will continue to expand program offerings and special "sustainability" events in order to play a significant role in advancing the Northwest Philadelphia area's openness to the issues of sustainability. The Center enjoys a collaborative relationship with the Mt. Airy Learning Tree which lists many Cecilian Center courses in their Catalogue thus enhancing the Center's public outreach. The courageous existence of the Center, its increasing visibility, and its impact on the lives of people make it a strong candidate for the Greater Philadelphia Sustainability Awards.
Results
The Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit has had a significant impact in a relatively short time. Beginning in the Spring of 2004, the Center has offered a series of workshops three times a year. The purpose of the workshop series is to bring people together for personal growth and education with a central focus on creating a sustainable environment.
Working closely with the Mt. Airy Learning Tree (MALT), the Center has hosted a wide range of programs, many of which are related to a deepening awareness of oneself and the universe. The number of workshops planned per year and the number of participants is as follows:
2004- 6 workshops on sustainability and Approximately 40 participants
2005- 38 workshops and approximately 120 participants
2006- 35 workshops and approximately 100 participants
2007- 33 workshops(projected) and 150participant(expected)
The overall outcome of the Center is new advocacy and action on the issues of sustainability and people inspired through expanded awareness to make changes in their lifestyle following the guiding light of sustainability.
Attachments
The attached pages demonstrate the scope of services of the Center; the quality of the programs offered, and the reaction of those who have participated.
The attachments include: an article from the Chestnut Hill Local about the opening of the Center, dated April, 2004; the brochure of workshops offered in Winter, 2005; and the most recent brochure of workshop offerings, Winter. 2007. The attachments demonstrate the growth of the center, the breadth of the topics which are offered 3 times each year, and the opportunity which the Center provides for residents to come together and learn and act on sustainability.
