Building Stronger Communities, Together
The Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity
Who We Are
1. What type of services/programs does the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) offer?
The Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) is a city of Philadelphia program. The office is committed to building stronger, more resilient communities where every resident has the opportunity to thrive. Through innovative programs and trusted partnerships with community-based organizations, we meet people where they are—responding to both citywide priorities and community-identified needs.
By focusing on income support, housing security, economic mobility, and resource connection, our work helps stabilize basic needs while creating pathways to long-term opportunity. Everything we do is rooted in neighborhood leadership and powered by community trust.
Our Programs & Services
The types of services and programs include the Benefits Access Unit, which helps residents navigate and apply for benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid; the Community Engagement Team, which strengthens outreach and connection across neighborhoods through door-to-door outreach and trusted messenger trainings; the Same Day Work & Pay Program, which provides a low-barrier alternative of employment by offering opportunities of immediate paid work while connecting participants to supportive services and pathways to stability; Neighborhood Initiatives that help revitalize neighborhoods by responding to place-based needs; Community Resource Connectors, who help residents access & maintain essential services like Water (PGW service support); and Community Health Workers, who serve as trusted guides - bridging health, social services, and community support through relationship-based care, ongoing follow up support, resource referrals, goal setting, and health education.
Our organization offers a range of impactful programs, including:
- Benefits Access Unit – Helps residents apply for essential benefits
- Community Engagement Team – Builds trust through outreach and trainings
- Same Day Work & Pay Program – Provides immediate, low-barrier employment opportunities
- Neighborhood Initiatives – Revitalizes communities through place-based solutions
- Community Resource Connectors – Assists with utilities and essential services
- Community Health Workers (CHWs) – Offers personalized support, health education, and care coordination
Our Services - Community Residents and Eligibility
2. Who are these services for, and are there any eligibility requirements?
Community Health Worker Program & Initiatives: Our services are for Philadelphia residents, particularly individuals and families in historically underserved or disproportionately impacted communities by health inequities. This includes people navigating chronic illness, limited access to healthcare, economic challenges, or systemic barriers.
We aim to keep eligibility requirements low and accessible, removing unnecessary obstacles so individuals can receive support when they need it. CHWs meet people where they are, recognizing that the opportunity of sustainability is shaped by lived experience, environment, and access - not just medical care.
Coordinated Care with Connect4Health
3. Do you use Connect4Health?
Yes—our Community Health Workers at CEO utilize Connect4Health as part of our coordinated care and referral process. BenePhilly (CEO) is a claimed public benefit program available on the Connect4Health platform. The CEO has extensive experience with this platform, collaborating with various agencies throughout Philadelphia, including Utilities, Emergency Services, Catholic Charities, Esperanza, and PA CareerLink. These partnerships help residents access financial assistance for needs such as prescription medications, healthcare, property taxes, and college tuition, among others.
In addition, our CHW team uses the Connect4Health platform to screen participants through the CEO Intake Form, allowing us to quickly identify social needs and determine eligibility for the CEAL program. Once identified, we connect participants to resources and support them through enrollment and follow-up. Included in our workflow, we use a secondary intake form. The Intake Form captures participant information, needs, and CEAL eligibility. The Secondary Form documents the support provided, how it was delivered (i.e., call, in-person, referral), and outlines next steps. Ensuring continuity of care and accurate tracking of outcomes.
When combined with our CHW model, the Connect4Health platform becomes an even more effective way to meet our participants' needs. Our CHWs don’t just submit referrals - they follow up, problem-solve barriers, and advocate alongside participants to ensure connections are meaningful and long-lasting.
Impactful Resources
4. What’s one resource you have found to be super helpful for your residents/patients?
One of the most impactful resources we provide is the personalized, relationship-based support offered by Community Health Workers (CHWs), which extends beyond traditional referrals.
CHWs assist with resource allocation, goal setting, chronic disease education, care coordination, and ongoing follow-up, while also building trust and providing emotional support. What has been super helpful for our residents are projects like CREAL (through our DECIDE classes), CHWs reinforce problem-solving skills and help participants apply what they’ve learned to real-life challenges related to managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions. This consistent presence makes a significant difference in engagement, confidence, and outcomes.
5. What would you like partner organizations to know about your services and challenges?
We want partners to understand that CEO’s work is deeply rooted in relationship-building and community trust. Our Community Health Workers serve as critical bridges between social services, healthcare systems, and the communities they serve.
One of our ongoing challenges is balancing growing community needs with limited resources. This makes strong partnerships, shared accountability, and clear communication essential. We encourage partners to view CHWs as collaborators and thought partners, not just referral recipients.
When we align efforts - connecting health education, like DECIDE or our Wellness Workshops, with Social Determinants of Health (SDOHs) supports and centering community voice - we create pathways not just to services, but to long-term empowerment, stability, and improved health outcomes.
Let’s Stay Connected
The best way to connect to CEO programs is through phone (215-685-3600), community referrals, partner organizations, outreach events, and wellness workshops. Many individuals also engage with us through trusted relationships built by our Community Health Workers in neighborhoods, clinics, and community spaces. Our Community Health Worker Team can be reached at ceo.outreach@phila.gov.