Neighborhood Leaders Honored at Community College of Philadelphia’s Northeast Regional Center

PHILADELPHIA, PA, APRIL 29, 2003 – In keeping with its mission of serving the community, Community College of Philadelphia will present awards to members of the Northeast Philadelphia community who have made outstanding contributions. Awards will focus on business, community service, education, faith-based, and elected officials. Now in its fourth year, the awards are held at each of the College’s three Regional Centers: West, Northwest, and Northeast. Interviews will be available with the honorees at the awards breakfast on April 29th, 2003 at 8 a.m. at the College’s Northeast Regional Center, 12901 Townsend Road. Local leaders who will be honored at the Northeast Center are:

Representative Dennis O’Brien has advocated vigorously and successfully for the needs of his 169th Legislative District for the past twenty-four years. With an enviable record of accomplishment in the House, Representative O’Brien has been responsive to the needs of his constituents, particularly senior citizen issues and combating crime and violence in the neighborhoods. His greatest legislative successes have come on important anti-crime bills. Representative O’Brien’s priorities include health care, nursing services, educational choice, veteran’s rights, and economic development initiatives. He is also actively engaged in community groups, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Center for Autistic Children, the YMCA, Timothy School, CORA Services, Shalom, Inc., Philadelphia Autistic Advisory Group, and the American Liver Foundation.

Sr. M. Therese Tygielska, CSFN, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Sister Therese is currently the Vice President for Mission and Healthy Community, a position she has held for the past seven years. Her affiliation with Nazareth spans thirty-one years during which time she has rose through the ranks from administrative assistant to assistant administrator to become Nazareth’s President and Chief Officer. In support of the hospital’s “healthy community” goal, she participates in a bi-monthly lecture/health education series, coordinates health screenings, especially stroke risk screening and stroke prevention education. Sister Therese also actively participates in area health fairs, provides speakers to community groups, and supervises the Spiritual Care Chaplains.

Glenn W. Devitt, serves as president of the Northeast Neighbors, a collaborative of Northeast Philadelphia civic associations dedicated to combating drug and alcohol abuse and the increased level and intensity of neighborhood crime. Most reccently, Devitt has undertaken responsibility for galvanizing the faith-based communities into a united front to combat neighborhood deterioration, drugs, and crime.

Shalena Heard is a graduating senior and top-ranked honor student at Frankford High School. She currently ranks 7th in her graduating class while having followed a rigorous academic cirriculum throughout her high school years. Heard’s leadership abilities and character are evident by her participation in numerous school and community activities. She serves as president of the Keystone Club (a youth development organization), Honor Society Board Member, and is a member of Danaides, a school and community service organization. Heard’s community contributions include membership on the Frankford Planning Committee, the Youthworks program, and the Northeast Boys and Girls Club.

Judy Belcak is completing her thirty-third year as a mathematics teacher at St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls. Belcak was recognized and honored as a Pennsylvania State finalist for the 2003 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. On a national level, she works as a consultant and reviewer of various mathematics textbooks for major publishers and has lectured on alternative assessment methods at national conferences. She has received numerous local and state “Outstanding Mathematics Teacher” awards.

Dorothy H. Friel is the Administrative Coordinator, Office Manager, and Executive Secretary at the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Friel provides courteous, professional assistance and generously lends her expertise to the chairpersons of the Chamber’s eleven standing committees, especially the Golf, Business Directory, and Dinner Dance Committees. She maintains the President’s calendar, handles the Chamber’s daily operations, and is profoundly involved in all aspects of Chamber activity.