The Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center of Catholic Social Services and Visitation B.V.M. Parochial School announce a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for a new neighborhood Greenhouse Project. This project has been made possible through a generous grant of $10,000 from St. Christopher's Foundation for Children. The Ribbon-Cutting ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. on July 21st, 2009 at the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center at 2646 Kensington Avenue, with a rain date of July 22nd.

This greenhouse is an important community development effort of the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center, for it will be turning a crime ridden vacant lot in to a sustainable community space. The greenhouse will be a staple in the Center's expanding environmental and health education program, and will be used to create a hands-on science curriculum at Visitation Parochial School and at other schools in the surrounding area.

Estela Reyes-Bugg, Administrator of the Community Center, said, "In a time when "going green" is so popular, it's important to know that this is a project that will be longer lasting than any fad. The life skills learned in this greenhouse will be with our children for the rest of their lives. It is our hope that this greenhouse will help Mayor Nutter achieve his dream of making Philadelphia the greenest city in the United States."

"St. Christopher's Foundation for Children is very pleased to support the construction of the Community Center's new greenhouse," said Foundation Board President Paul DiLorenzo. "We recognize the important health lessons and life skills children and families will learn there, and we see this as an investment with great long-term impact. St. Christopher's Foundation for Children respects and admires the work of the Community Center and is proud to be considered a partner."

The Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center seeks to provide social, cultural, educational, and enrichment services and programs in a context that respects the human dignity of the person and the values of the family. The Center serves community members without regard for religion, gender, race, creed or national origin.

St. Christopher's Foundation for Children's mission is to support the health and well-being of children in the community served by St. Christopher's Hospital for Children through programs in the areas of care, outreach, research, and education.

Visitation B.V.M. School is a beacon of hope to the families of our diverse community. Visitation provides the tools and inspiration to be people of faith, life-long learners, and responsible global citizens.

Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747