About WCA

Women’s Christian Alliance (WCA) is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that has placed itself at the center of the African-American community to help its members cope and advance in the face of powerful social, political and economic forces for nearly 90 years. WCA was founded in 1919 by Dr. Melissa Coppin one of only 20 female African-American physicians in the country – and concerned members of the historic Richard Allen AME Church to serve as a resource to Blacks migrating to Philadelphia from the South, as well as those already living in the City. From its inception, many turned to WCA for guidance in surviving and trying to thrive in a new environment marked by its unfamiliarity, prevalence of racism, and absence of their traditional family network.

Today, WCA provides a full complement of services and supports to the North Central Philadelphia community situated between Girard and Lehigh Avenues to the south and north, Broad Street to the east and the Schuylkill River to the west. With over 100 employees and a current operating budget of $6 million, the organization serves 5,000 individuals, families, and children each year in the heart of North Central Philadelphia and in other settings throughout the community such as schools, recreation centers, and homes.

WCA believes that children belong in families and families have a better chance of thriving in strong communities. To be sure, public serving agencies must partner with both families and communities together in order to help facilitate healthy futures for all. That is why WCA’s programs and services focus on helping families to help themselves. In addition to providing a continuum of developmental services and supports for people of all ages, the agency also advocates for public service system reform and policy change to benefit its families and community on the whole.

Partnerships

WCA has extensive working relationships with numerous community-based, nonprofit organizations, education, religious and cultural institutions; city, state and federal government agencies, businesses, foundations, volunteers and supporters. We hope that you and/or your organization will be the next partner on our growing list!