Wayne Presbyterian Church (WPC) recently honored Ted Behr, Jane Nealson Beatty and George Matthis Aman III for their commitment to the Southwest community over the last 25 years at a service on May 15th.
For twenty-six years Ted Behr has volunteered at Southwest CDC and since 2005 helped revitalize the Southwest Globe Times by serving as publisher, reporter, ad salesman and editor.
Donna Henry, Southwest CDC’s executive director said “Ted has been a dear friend and an invaluable member of Southwest CDC beginning in the late-1990’s when he supported the growing housing counseling program and the operations of the Southwest Globe Times. Because of the Globe, Ted established many relationships with block captains, community organizations, churches, and businesses. He devoted many Saturdays bouncing from one community event to another so he could write stories about each. Even through the pandemic, he kept in touch with the community and continued writing stories.“
In the 1970’s Jane Nealson Beatty helped with after school tutoring at longtime WPC Partner Presbyterian Children’s Village, now Gemma Services. She served on their Board in the 90’s, chairing the Board for two years. Jane volunteered at the Family Resource Center that was housed at Mitchell Elementary School. Jane is currently on the Advisory Board and has tutored residential students for the last twenty-two years. Both activities speak to her passion for education and the marginalized.
After his retirement, George Matthis Aman III volunteered with Philadelphia’s foreclosure prevention programs to help low- and moderate-income families stay in their homes. More recently, he has led the way in WPC’s involvement in the rehabilitation of houses for families in Southwest Philadelphia. Moved by the devastating toll of gun violence in Southwest Philadelphia and throughout the region, George joined with Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence to regularly participate in rallies to end illegal sales of firearms at shops known for their lax compliance with federal regulations.
