About CDC

      “Where Community Development Meets Lasting Impact.”

The Sister Clara Muhammad Community Development Corporation (SCM CDC) is a mission-driven, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing underserved communities through strategic investment in education, housing, and economic development.

Rooted in a legacy of community leadership and service, SCM CDC operates from a 1.5-acre campus that has served as a cornerstone of the surrounding neighborhood for over five decades. Anchored by The Philadelphia Masjid, Inc., which serves a congregation of over 500 individuals weekly, the campus functions as both a spiritual center and a hub for community engagement, education, and empowerment.

As a community-based development organization, SCM CDC takes a bottom-up approach, ensuring that residents, local leaders, and stakeholders are directly involved in shaping the programs and initiatives that impact their lives. Our governance and advisory structure reflects this commitment, incorporating voices from within the community to guide our mission and priorities.

Our work spans multiple areas critical to sustainable community growth, including:

• Educational advancement, with a focus on STEM, workforce readiness, artificial intelligence, robotics and youth development 
• Affordable housing development and neighborhood stabilization 
• Economic empowerment initiatives, including job training and small business support 
• Health and wellness programming, addressing both physical and social needs 

Strategically located within both a Promise Zone and an Opportunity Zone, SCM CDC is uniquely positioned to leverage public and private investment to drive transformative change in the community we serve.

We actively collaborate with government agencies, philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, and private partners to expand our impact and ensure long-term sustainability. Through these partnerships, we seek to create scalable solutions that address systemic challenges while delivering measurable outcomes.

At its core, SCM CDC is committed to building a stronger, more equitable future for the underserved, one that empowers individuals, strengthens families, and revitalizes communities from within.

“Community. Opportunity. Transformation.”

• High-quality STEM education 
• Workforce development and job readiness training 
• Safe, affordable housing, with emphasis on senior housing 
• Accessible healthcare and adult services 
• Long-term neighborhood stabilization 

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Our campus sits on approximately a full city block 1+ acres in 

West Philadelphia, within both a: 

• Promise Zone & Opportunity Zone 

We have already invested over $1,000,000 in renovations, including: 

• Upgraded classrooms (14 of 23) 
• HVAC improvements 
• Gymnasium restoration 
• Computer lab installation 
• Commercial kitchen enhancements 
• STEM-ready infrastructure 

Despite this progress, critical portions of the building 

remain underutilized due to outdated infrastructure and

 life-safety requirements. 

PHASE I: COMPLETION OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITY 

Funding Needed: $1,000,000 

Completion of remaining classroom and building upgrades, including: 

• Stairways, hallways, and ADA access improvements 
• Bathroom renovations 
• Life-safety and code compliance upgrades 
• Build out of remaining classrooms into modern learning environments 

         IMPACT

• Serve 500–1,000 youth annually 
• Provide adult education & GED programs 
• Enable full occupancy and operational capacity 

PHASE II: STEM & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

Funding Needed: $1,000,000 

Comprehensive STEM initiative led by a team of PhD-level educators led by Dr. Chad Womack, PhD. 

Program Focus 

• Mathematics, Engineering & Applied Sciences 
• Artificial Intelligence 
• Robotics & Drone Technology 
• Career Pathways & Job Readiness 

         IMPACT

• Prepare youth for high-demand careers 
• Reduce violence through constructive engagement 
• Build a pipeline of future professionals and entrepreneurs 

PHASE III: NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZING THROUGH HOUSING ACQUISITION AND REHABILITATION 

Funding Goal: $5,000,000 

($2M secured | $3M gap) 

Strategic acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant properties within a 15-block radius. 

Objectives 

• Convert vacant properties into quality rental housing 
• Generate sustainable income for CDC operations 
• Reduce blight and improve neighborhood safety 

PHASE IV: SENIOR HOUSING & COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 

Development Overview 

• Total Building Size: 53,672 SF 
• Residential: 43,400 SF 
• Units: 78 Senior Housing Units 
• Commercial: 10,272 SF 

Includes 

• Medical Facility (first floor) 
• Senior Adult Day Care Center 
• Supportive services for aging residents 

Total Project Cost: $35,000,000 

           IMPACT

• Affordable housing for seniors 
• On-site healthcare access 
• Aging-in-place support services 
• Long-term community stabilization