David Oliver, ‘13, currently works for the City of Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations as the Northwest Division Human Relations representative, but in his spare time, he also works with the Juvenile Justice Center of Philadelphia, mentors young people who are justice impacted, and even finds time to be part of CCP’s Behavioral Health and Human Services Advisory Committee.

Through all his work, David gives back to his community, both in the City of Philadelphia and here at CCP. “The work that I do is mutually beneficial. Part of it is self-serving because it fulfills my need to give back or repay my debt. And it also helps people,” said David.

When David says he is repaying his debt, he is referring to his younger years and some of the challenges he faced as a teen. “I was one of those people who were kind of marginalized in society and essentially, we were impoverished,” David said about his upbringing in Philadelphia.

“We know now that poverty is tantamount to trauma. I was not the best kid. I sold drugs and got in trouble. And eventually I was judged as an adult in the system,” David said.

After spending seven years in prison from age 17 to 24, David had to build his life back from the ground up. “When I came home, I said, ‘I got to figure my life out.’ And it was not as easy as one might think it is,” David said. “You say, ‘okay, get a job, go to school and figure it out.’ But it was not that cut and dry.”

In 2010, David decided to enroll in classes at CCP, which he describes as “totally transformative.” Over the next eight years, David acquired three higher education degrees, finishing with his master’s in Social Work from Temple University.

Since then, David has worked for the city in a few different roles. Part of his current professional role with the city is to help folks who have been justice impacted understand their rights and options.

“We have this fair chance hiring law. I teach at the Northwest parole office so our justice impacted citizens who are returning home can understand this law,” said David. “That was not available to me. I was not in that situation,” he continued, referring to his own experience returning home after being imprisoned. 
David’s commitment to bettering himself and to helping others do the same is unparalleled. “I'm a staunch advocate for self-growth and improving one’s current condition, whatever the condition is,” David said. “People like me are here to help. Use your resources.”

David began his own journey of self-growth here at CCP, and he said when he came here, he had an “aha!” moment that showed him he could find everything he was looking for here. He said that he was challenged at CCP and that helped him grow into the person he is today.

“As humans, the necessity to be challenged is integral into the fabric of our makeup. We must be challenged in order to grow,” David said. “And that is what CCP does. That is the thing that I got most out of this experience.”

When asked what he tells folks who have found themselves in similar situations to his, David said, “The thing about growth is that it is uncomfortable, and you are going to have adversaries. But none are bigger than yourself.”

He said that once he was able to get out of his own way, his path became much clearer. And that is what David hopes to inspire others to do through his work in all of his roles.

Community College of Philadelphia offers short-term training pathways for students pursuing careers in health care, manufacturing and skilled trades, helping students quickly prepare for the workforce while providing organizations with skilled and qualified candidates in essential areas. CCP recently expanded its training initiatives by launching the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME) program, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, building a skilled pipeline to open positions and advancement within the city’s offices.

Karen Abney was part of the first cohort of students to complete the Office Administration CCME program. She finished in December 2024 and is now applying to executive administration positions in the City of Philadelphia government offices and with the city’s Hearing Officer program.

Karen started this program because she had previously worked for the city and wanted to get back into a role there. “I think the CCME program as a whole was very interesting and important,” Karen said. “I like the way the curriculum was set out, because they gave you English, you had math, you also had to write essays, so you had to put your writing skills to play.” Karen said they even learned how to use Microsoft Copilot to work more efficiently and to help with research tasks, which she said she found very informative.

Like with many of CCP’s workforce development programs, the CCME program allows students to transition into college credit pathways, saving them time and money as they stack credentials toward a certificate and then an associate degree. Aleena Chandy, who is in the second half of her IT pathway with CCME, hopes to secure a job with the city, eventually earn her associate degree from CCP and a bachelor’s degree after that. "I really want to have a degree,” Aleena said. “So, I would like to continue my education with the community college and get my associate here while working with the city as an IT support technician.”

CCP’s CCME program aims to give students the opportunity to pursue dependable jobs in municipal government with good salaries, great benefits, and pathways for growth and career advancement. This program is free of cost for students, and they are also eligible to earn financial achievement incentives throughout their preferred career training pathway. The pathways offered through the CCME program are Computer Support Specialist, Office Administration, Transportation Technology, Patient Service Representative and Public Safety.

Through all of their workforce programs, CCP strives to meet student needs and prepare them for in-demand roles throughout our region.