Dan Cirucci: CSS Offers Great New Program For Philly Youth

Monday, June 24, 2024

CSS Offers Great New Program For Philly Youth

Pictured left to right is Dr. James Black, Director of CSS’ Youth Services Division; Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia; Kimberly Ali, DHS Commissioner; Vanessa Garrett Harley, Chief Deputy Managing Director of the City of Philadelphia; Brian Butler, Health and Human Services Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner of DHS; and Heather Huot, Secretary for CHS of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Philadelhia.

Today at a special ceremony, Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS) blessed the Youth Skills Building Program (YSBP), a new after-school ministry in South Philadelphia.

Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia who oversees the Secretariat for Catholic Human Services (CHS) as part of his administrative and pastoral responsibilities, presided over the blessing.

He was joined by Mrs. Heather Huot, Secretary for CHS; Dr. James Black, Director of CSS’ Youth Services Division; Kimberly Ali, Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner; members of the CSS Board of Directors; local government officials; staff members from the program; and community supporters.

Funded by DHS to engage youth and help keep them safe, YSBP is a new after-school ministry of CSS’ Youth Services Division. The trade education program launched in May 2024, aiming to reduce risk factors for Philadelphia youth aged 13-18. It plans to serve 24 young people in its first year of operation.

YSBP provides youth with the opportunity to acquire new skills including carpentry and home repair. Program participants will use their newly learned skills to repair vandalized homes throughout the City. In addition, the program offers members transportation, meals, and a weekly stipend. The YSBP building development involved rehabilitating the former Saint Gabriel Parish Elementary School in Grays Ferry.

“This program highlights Catholic Social Services' commitment to serving at-risk youth,” said Dr. Black. “The partnership of CSS, DHS, and the parish is a shining example of what we can accomplish when we work together to lift up and provide opportunities for our young people and their families."

“Youth involvement in after-school activities and community-based programs can promote positive behaviors,” said Ali. “We envisioned YSBP to be a place where young people could receive mentorship and support, all while being prepared for future employment opportunities in various trades.”

A replay of the blessing can be viewed later this week on CSS’ Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cssphiladelphia.

Note: For more information on Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit https://cssphiladelphia.org/.

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About Dan Cirucci

He's been cited by the late Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed across all media.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, a Save Jersey blog columnist, frequent guest on the Matt Rooney radio show and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.

Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post, Broad and Liberty and other print and online platforms.

A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.

He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.

In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Cirucci's passions include all things Italian, politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel.

He and his wife Carole have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

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