About Us

Frankford Community Development Corporation

We are committed to building on the assets of the Frankford community by providing increased job opportunities, building affordable homes, and supporting the development of increased financial resources through growing stable businesses.

What We Do

Frankford CDC seeks to accomplish our mission by focusing on affordable housing and business development.

Through our Targeted Corridor Revitalization Management Program, we work closely with the Commerce Department and the Office of Business Services to help meet the needs of businesses within Frankford’s main commercial corridor. We connect current and potential business owners with the resources they need to thrive.

Through our Neighborhood Advisory Committee we work closely with the Office of Housing and Community Development to provide affordable housing resources to neighborhood residents. The Neighborhood Advisory Committee empowers neighborhood residents to control what goes on in the neighborhood around housing and business development. This level of community empowerment is evidence through the composition of the board, 51% of which is made up of community residents, and our community zoning board which is solely made up of neighborhood residents.

Outside of providing housing and business based resources to our constituents, the Frankford CDC engages in several community beautification efforts through our own Corroridor Cleaning Program and our partnerships with local Friends of the Parks Groups, Gardening groups, and other local grass-roots organizations with a mission geared at beautifying Frankford.

Meet Our Team

Kimberly Washington Esq.

Executive Director

Raised in Frankford and a Frankford High alum, Kim obtained her BA degree from Temple University’s Fox School of Business and her Juris Doctorate from the Beasley School of Law before passing the PA bar in 2009. She is a board member for Sankfoa Freedom Academy, Chairs Turning Points for Children’s Community Advisory Board, and a proud kinship care parent.

Christine DeJesus

NAC Coordinator

Is a wife and mother of four, and grandmother to five grandchildren. Christine earned her G.E.D. in 1995 and scored one of highest on the G.E.D. exam in Philadelphia and went on to graduate with a 4.0 from Harcum College with an Associates in Business. She was honored in 1995 as Philadelphia's Outstanding Educator and received accommodations from both the House of Representatives and Senate.

Eugene Thomas

Corridor Cleaning Manager

Born and raised in Frankford, Eugene graduated from Frankford High (class of ’07) where he participated in Frankford’s prestigious culinary arts and football program and was awarded a full culinary scholarship, and was awarded an all public football team award. He also facilitates a male mentoring program (Power Circle) for 20 males ages 14 - 18.

Illeana Garcia

Commercial Corridor II

Ileana is a Philadelphia transplant from New York City. She relocated to the region to attend Haverford College where she earned a BA in Political Science with a minor in Spanish and studied in Latin America. Since graduating, Ileana has worked at respected non-profit organizations and Philadelphia City Council conducting community outreach, special events and marketing initiatives.

Ellie Devyatkin

Commercial Corridor I

Raised in Savannah, Georgia, Ellie graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Economics in 2012, after which she moved to Philadelphia. In May 2014, she received her Master of City Planning degree, concentrating in Community and Economic Development, from the University of Pennsylvania. Ellie currently lives in West Philly.

Meet Our Board

The continued growth of the Frankford Corridor as well as the improvements made on a constant basis would not be possbile without the help and support of our Board Members.

Gary McLaughlin

Chairman

A Frankford resident and financial counselor at Clarify’s Financial Empowerment Center. Gary attended St. Joseph’s University where he obtained his bachelors in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Sociology. Prior to working for Clarify, Gary served as a Job Developer for Adams & Assoc. and as a Career Services Coordinator for St. Gabriel’s System.

Philip Balderston

Vice President

Principal/Founder of PT Real Estate Capital, owner of over 2,000 apartments in the Phila area. Prior to starting PT, he was Director of Acquisition & Finance for Tower Investments and an analyst at The KOR Group in LA. He is a graduate of William Penn Charter, and holds a degree in Economics from the Univ. of Penn and a degree in Real Estate Finance from Wharton

Michael Galdi

Treasurer

A Full time Broker in PA/NJ, with offices conveniently located to serve the area. Mike has over 30 years of experience doing short sales, foreclosure assistance, estates, nursing home and distressed properties. Mike has been involved with community development in Frankford for over 25 years and helped initiate the Frankford Neighborhood Plan.

Nidia Mezalick

Secretary

A Frankford resident and business owner. Nidia and her husband are the co-owners of Mezalick Design Studios, a local stain glass, mosaics an ornamental art carving business. Nidia has worked in the decorative arts business for over 20 years and offers a great deal of knowledge on the use of arts and creative business as a catalyst to community development.