Dignity Housing

On Friday, October 17th, Dignity Housing held its annual Tenant Recognition Reception at the University of Pennsylvania’s Bodek Lounge. Board members, staff, friends, Dignity tenants and their families attended the event which included a performance by Dignity’s Drumline, a dinner and recognition ceremony.

During the ceremony, Dignity honored current tenants for achievements in education, employment/career, income management, and family stability. Recent graduates, alumni and youth were also recognized for their achievements and contributions. Dignity alum Coretta Heath served as Keynote Speaker for the event. Ms. Heath shared insights from her time as a Dignity resident and employee as well as the career and educational goals she has achieved since.

Among those honored for outstanding achievement were Naderah Ensley (Education), Radiyah Bankhead (Employment & Career), Arisleida Peguero (Income Management) and Eva Davis-Williams (Family Stability). Dignity selected two recent graduates to receive the Tenant of the Year Award: Mary Brown and Khadijah Puckett.

The achievements of the youth in Dignity’s programs were also recognized during the ceremony. Ivyn Garner, Keyshawna Melton, Jordan Rojas and Sydney Smith were recognized for making their school’s honor roll, while Yanira Anderson, Lebron Gray, Jordan Rojas and Timothy Williams received the award for Academic Commitment. Individual awards for Youth Leadership and Career Readiness went to Gabriel Peguero and Nikira Davenport, respectively. Finally, Dignity recognized the youth participants of the Drumline who include Jahmane Croxton, Derricka Elliot, Ivan Fairfax, Lakeisha Fairfax, Zakayyah Hackett, Tyana Johnson, Gabriel Peguero, Aminah Philson, Paris Ward, Ariana Wilson and Tiana Wilson.

Each year, the reception is an opportunity for Dignity's staff and tenant to celbrat and recharge a sentiment expressed by Executive Director Alicia Christian during her closing remarks.