The Kenney Administration has made it a top priority for all Philadelphians to become more civically engaged. Through SERVE Philadelphia, the Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service builds relationships, solicits input, provides information, and connects community residents to resources to strengthen communities across Philadelphia. The city’s Community Engagement Program and the Volunteer Engagement Program serve as connectors that source and create meaningful service opportunities that impact the communities across Philadelphia.
Philadelphia has been a member of the Cities of Service coalition since 2009, when former Mayor Michael Nutter signed the Declaration of Service. Current Mayor Jim Kenney reaffirmed the city’s commitment to service by signing the Declaration again in 2016.
Mayor Cherelle Parker
On January 2, 2024, Cherelle Parker was inaugurated as the 100th mayor of Philadelphia, becoming the first woman to lead the city and hold the office in 341 years.
Mayor Parker is a former public school teacher, a state legislator who headed the Philadelphia delegation, and member of Philadelphia City Council, where she represented the 9th District and rose to become majority leader. As a lifelong Philadelphian, she’s committed to fighting every day for Philadelphians.
Cherelle L. Parker was born to a single teenage mom and raised by her grandparents James and Dorothy Parker. It was the power of a village – her family and her community – and their belief in the power of education that gave her the opportunity to succeed. A graduate of Philadelphia public schools, she was the first person in her family to go to college; earning her bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University where she was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., then earning her master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she taught public school as a high school English teacher and ESL teacher working with immigrant children and adults.
Inspired to public service by Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who she had interned for, Cherelle worked in Tasco’s office and rose to serve as a senior staffer where she oversaw – among many other things – the implementation of all economic and community development initiatives that helped neighborhoods and business corridors thrive. By the time she left, she became one of Councilwoman Tasco’s most trusted advisors.
While serving at the State Capitol, Cherelle was elected to the State House and went on to serve for 10 years representing Northwest Philadelphia. On winning her election, she made history as the youngest African-American woman elected to the State Legislature. In Harrisburg, she was elected by her colleagues to chair the Philadelphia Delegation, and it was her leadership in this role that she earned her reputation as one of the most effective legislators in Harrisburg.
Cherelle returned to City Council, as an elected Member, in 2015, representing 9th District in Northwest and Northeast Philadelphia. In 2020, she was elected by her colleagues as Council’s Majority Leader.
A single mom, Cherelle lives in Northwest Philadelphia with her son, Langston and their dog, Max.
Chief Service Officer Stephanie Monahon
Stephanie Monahon serves as the Chief Service Officer, overseeing the Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service for the City of Philadelphia. In this role, Monahon is responsible for the city's volunteer programs, including, but not limited to, SERVE Philadelphia, AmeriCorps VISTA, and the Foster Grandparent Program.