[bright music]

Betty Smith:

I was in a shelter, and it was hard. And I finally got to Mid City. It was a small spot. And the joy of the renovation is amazing. It's just amazing. I don't know what would happen to me without Mid City.

[chuckles]

But I don't know where I would wind up, but I probably wouldn't wind up in a facility or something like that. But I'm so happy that I made this journey and that I'm in a comfortable place right now. It has really changed my life. If these walls could talk, they would say, "Wow."

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[bright music]

Cindy Hamilton:

Heritage Consulting Group is a national historic preservation consulting firm. We specialize in historic tax credits, and we work with owners of historic buildings to adapt their buildings to modern use. The Historic Tax Credit is a tax credit that incentivizes the renovation and rehabilitation of historic buildings. It boosts economic development, fosters heritage tourism, reuses historic buildings, and keeps history relevant. Philadelphia is a city of great architecture, and the architecture tells the story of the history of the city. And if we don't save our historic buildings, cities like Philadelphia would be devoid of character and detached from its historical roots. If these walls could talk, they would say "Eclectic."

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Thomas Queenan:

Mission First Housing Group, we started back in the mid ‘80s when there was a need for a solution for homelessness, especially for folks who had disabilities. I was astounded to learn that the waiting list for public housing in Philadelphia right now is up to 65,000 people. You know, we're all doing our best to address what homelessness, what disability, and what affordability, how it really impacts the quality of anyone's experience. And then how do we sort of stop the cycle of that? It's really very rewarding for Mission First, my team, our investors, to be able to really make a difference. If these walls could talk, they would say, "I matter."

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George Jenkins:

YouthBuild Philadelphia is a charter school that serves young people from the ages of 17 to 21. We're a vocational program that gives students a second chance and a second opportunity. I've been here for 23 years. Every community that we go in, you can feel the power because our students come from those communities. And when we go out to do service in those communities, students actually learn how to give back. And that's the true thing that drives me. My hope for our program is that we continue to evolve and we continue to be on the cutting edge of all of the different technologies that are coming. Because the students that we serve, we want to make sure that no students are ever left behind in the technology and the education that builds across the city. If these walls could talk, they would say "Evolution."

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[bright music]

Markita Worthy:

Long time ago, I was in foster care and being in a shelter. It was difficult to keep switching from different places. It's nothing like that I have now into my new apartment. My apartment is peaceful. It has space where you can be free. It surely do have my child running around. He runs from the bathroom and then comes out the bedroom into the living room excited to watch Elmo. I would just say my journey of the home is to make sure that I can be a great mother. If these walls can talk, it would say "I'm strong."

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