via Social Networks and Archival Context:  The Wharton Centre was founded in 1931 by the Whittier Centre, a South Philadelphia agency which provided services to the growing African American population of North Philadelphia. The Wharton Centre provided social welfare, recreational, and community services to the population of North Philadelphia, particularly the neighborhood of 22nd Street and Columbia Avenue. The organization helped establish neighborhood daycare and recreation centers and started a youth-work program which included extensive contacts with gangs throughout North Philadelphia. The Wharton Centre also established neighborhood housing programs to organize neighborhoods into block associations for the purpose of beautifying streets and converting vacant lots into playgrounds.From the description of Photographs, 1930-1955 (Inclusive Dates). (Temple University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 122365295

via WHYY - A historic haven for black Philadelphians slated for demolition: The Wharton Centre was founded in the early 20th Century as one of many “settlement houses” to serve an expanding African-American community in North Philadelphia. The organization trained early social workers, provided anti-gang violence programs, hosted a youth arts center and provided shelter for the homeless in an era when government-run social services were still in their infancy. City officials, merchants and civil rights leader Cecil B. Moore met at the center in the wake of the 1964 race riots on Columbia Avenue, which was later renamed in Moore’s honor.

Wharton Centre Archives at Temple University