Congresswoman Scanlon Visits Woodland Avenue

On Wednesday, September 9, Southwest CDC representatives Donna Henry and Lorraine Thomas, joined AHCOPA, Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Finanta, Media Fellowship House and Ceiba Philadelphia for a Woodland Avnue tour and community development discussion with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon on Woodland Avenue. 

The meeting was held at Le Mandique restaurant and focused on issues affecting local residents and businesses, including small-business lending, affordable housing development, proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act, Community Development Block Grant funding and continued federal support for housing counseling and small business lending.

Participants emphasized that federal partnerships are essential to neighborhood-based work. Federal investments help community organizations support families, strengthen neighborhoods and expand economic opportunity. Federal policies also encourage financial institutions to invest responsibly in the communities they serve.

The group toured Woodland Avenue, visited businesses along the commercial corridor and observed the entrepreneurs and neighborhood institutions that benefit from these policies. The tour even included a stop at Southwest Live Poultry, a live chicken store, highlighting the unique character and everyday realities of Southwest Philadelphia.

Organizers thanked Congresswoman Scanlon for listening to local concerns and engaging directly with community leaders. The visit underscored the importance of shaping public policy through firsthand knowledge of local communities.