The Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit (the Center) is a catalyst for educating and mobilizing the Philadelphia community toward a sustainable future. The mission statement follows: Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit integrates spiritual and scientific understandings of the Universe to explore and demonstrate living in harmony with all creation. The Center's unique contribution to sustainability is its focus on spirituality ( meaning the universal understanding that all of creation is imbued with Spirit) as the motivation and value base for sustainability efforts.

Founded in 2004 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, the Cecilian Center is an important example of recycling and reusing an existing structure. The Center occupies part of a facility that served as a private girl's school for over 80 years located at Carpenter Lane and Cresheim Road in Mt. Airy. Over the past four years, the Cecilian Center has engaged a wide range of individuals and families in programs centered on sustaining Earth. The Center is enjoying a reputation as a place where a person can grow in awareness of the connectedness between the health of mind, body, spirit and the health of the planet. One can experience the joy of living and the beauty of creation through diverse workshops and activities in the arts, spirituality, and environmental education which leads to action.

The Cecilian Center operates with one full time and two part time paid staff and 4 volunteer workers by the generous support of the Sisters of St. Joseph and small foundation grants. All tuition income from the workshops goes to pay the presenters and provide materials. With a commitment to make workshops, classes and events accessible to low income families and individuals, the Center continues to explore a variety of ways to become financially self-sufficient.

The contribution of the Center to the cultural shift toward sustainability has grown significantly over the last year. In 2007, the Center offered more than 80 events and workshops on topics ranging from Science and Religion: The Evolving Universe and Finding Balance in One's Life through Holistic Wellness to A Forum on Environmental Justice: Your Watershed and Your Health. In addition, the Center sponsors special events such as the Earth Day Celebration, book readings and signings, recycling workshops, and 'Step Away for a Day' a quarterly event for high risk mothers and children to foster greater appreciation for the value of holistic health and sustainable living. In total the programs have involved nearly 500 men, women and children.

The Center enjoys a collaborative relationship with the Mt. Airy Learning Tree (an adult education program in NW Philadelphia) which lists many Cecilian Center courses in their catalogue thus enhancing the Center's public outreach. Close collaboration with Northwest Interfaith Movement representing a number of synagogues and churches and with several charter schools e.g. Wissahickon Charter School and Khepera Charter School in the area has led to a significant increase in the Center's reach. Our catalogue of courses for Winter 2008 ( see attached brochure ) includes workshops focusing on sustainability through the arts, music, crafts, prayer and spirituality ' The Universe from Aristotle to Big Bang' 'Renew Your Spirits with Spring Food Detox' and ' Blessing Your Life with Feng Shui.' The Center continues to expand program offerings and special 'sustainability' events in order to advance the Greater Philadelphia area's approach to the issues of sustainability. The courageous existence of the Center, its increasing visibility, its impact on the lives of people, and its unique focus on spirituality as the fundamental basis of sustainability make it a strong candidate for the Greater Philadelphia Sustainability Award.

The Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit has had a significant impact in a relatively short time. Beginning in the Fall of 2004, the Center has offered a series of workshops and classes three times a year, and has sponsored a growing number of special 'sustainability awareness' events. The programs bring people together for education and action to create a sustainable environment.

The Center has hosted a wide range of programs, many of which are related to a deepening awareness of oneself and the universe. The number of workshops per year and the number of participants is as follows: 2004- 6 workshops on sustainability and approximately 40 participants; 2005- 38 workshops and approximately 120 participants; 2006- 35 workshops and approximately 100 participants; 2007- 80 workshops and approximately 500 participants.

Other accomplishments for the Cecilian Center in 2007 include: A summer program with speakers focused on the issue of Darfur featuring locally-grown food suppers. Over 100 participants attended a lecture and followed up with action to form a local chapter at the Center. This program made the connections between poverty and environmental degradation. On Earth Day, a storyteller dramatized the New Universe Story for approximately 80 children and parents. She introduced the science of the story of evolution and made the connections with how we need to treat our organic planet. Deepening the relationship with Khepera Charter School is paving the way to an after school enrichment program which will include environmental education and the arts. Planning is underway with First United Methodist Church of Germantown to provide an extension of their after school program with Germantown High School at Cecilian Center.

The Center cooperates with a network of community organizations through Sustainable Mt. Airy. In the past year, the Center collected over 300 signatures petitioning for an increase in recycling services from the City of Philadelphia, and provided important testimony at the Pennsylvania State hearings on particulate matter and reducing carbon emissions. In September, 2007 the Center, working with the Unitarian Universalist Church and the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education hosted representatives of Appalachian Voices, an organization which is advocating to end mountaintop mining removal.The overall outcomes of the Center are advocacy and action for sustainability and individuals inspired by a growing consciousness to make changes in their lifestyle. Included with the application are (1) a photograph of plantings at the Earth Day celebration in April 2007, (2) Winter 2008 brochure of workshops at CCEAS, and (3) an article on Faith and Environmental Justice sponsored by Northwest Interfaith Movement from the Mt. Airy Times Express , dated 10/25/07.