Philadelphia is a city that has many needs and many resources to help fill those needs. About one-third of the entire city population lives in the Northeast part of the city. In 2016, a variety of organizations came together and identified a need to collaborate and focus on working together to help fill those needs specifically for residents of Northeast Philadelphia and to help them obtain those services near where they live. From that idea, the North East Services Team coalition (NESTco) formed.
Currently, the member organizations of NESTco include those from the areas of housing, food insufficiency, children’s services, government offices, faith-based organizations, behavioral health, education, healthcare, older adult services, basic needs procurement, etc. We primarily put our efforts in three areas: communication/collaboration with each other, sharing information and identifying community needs, and projects to meet those needs. NESTco is recognized as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.
Kenneth Bigos of Affordable Housing Centers of PA, Board President
Pastor Herbert Barnes of Star of Hope Baptist Church, Vice President
Pastor Danette Bolden of Kingdom Life Christian Center, Treasurer
Ester Roche-Curet of the Office of Children and Families (Hamilton Disston Community School), Secretary
Robert Byrne of Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network, Board Member
Karen Irwin of Friends Hospital, Board Member
Pastor Mark Novales of City Reach Church, Board Member
Pastor Tricia Neale of Feast of Justice, Board Member
Patricia Kennedy of The Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank, Board Member
Stan Cywinski of Councilman Bobby Henon’s office, Board Member