 Travelers Aid Family Services of Philadelphia (TAFSP) assists homeless families and travelers in Philadelphia. TAFSP provides professional counseling, emergency shelter, housing, direct assistance, and children and youth services for two groups of people: homeless families and stranded travelers. TAFSP provides informational services and advice to the traveling public at transportation centers.
GLORIA GUARD NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Highly respected advocate for homeless accepts challenge of managing largest privately-run family shelter in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA – April 25 – Gloria Guard, a staunch advocate for the homeless, has accepted the position of Executive Director of Travelers Aid Family Services of Philadelphia. TAFSP operates the city’s largest privately run shelter for homeless families in addition to 75 transitional and permanent family residential units in West Philadelphia. “Travelers Aid Family Services has been a real force in the fight against homelessness for more than 25 years, but our ability to make a real difference must be strengthened and expanded so we can bring real stability to the families we serve as we help them achieve long-term self-sufficiency,” stated Guard. “Recruiting Gloria as our new executive director was a real coup,” said Mario Calderone, president of TAFSP’s board of managers. “With more families than ever relying on TAFSP for help, having someone with her decades of experience and her drive is absolutely essential to our continued growth as a social services agency.” Guard joins TAFSP after having served the People’s Emergency Center as its President for almost three decades. According to Guard, the current economy has only compounded the issue of homelessness, and more families than ever need the support provided by TAFSP and similar non-profits in this region. On learning of Guard’s new appointment, Representative Chaka Fattah said, “Gloria is one of the most strategic and compassionate leaders in Philadelphia. Her strength and vision have never faltered.” “I am thrilled that Gloria will take the lead at Travelers Aid,” said Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. “Where there is poverty and homelessness, Gloria will always be in the trenches making a real difference.” In recognition of her many achievements, Guard received in 2005 the City of Philadelphia’s most prestigious honor -- The Philadelphia Award. She holds master's degrees from Bryn Mawr College in social work, and in law and social policy. She received the 2001 Fannie Mae Fellowship to attend Harvard's JFK School of Government and was named United Way's 2001 Citizen of the Year. She also has received the Philadelphia Bar Foundation's Louis D. Apothaker Award (2000), given to a non-lawyer who is a stalwart advocate; the Girl Scouts' Take the Lead Award (2001); Women's Way Voices of Vision Award (1996); and she was honored for her work with homeless children by the Please Touch Museum in 2004.
************************************************************************* TAFSP works closely with the City Office of Supportive Housing to improve the lives of homeless families in Philadelphia by providing safe and decent shelter and housing. The TAFSP mission is the break the generational cycle of homelessness by enriching the lives of children and supporting their parent’s efforts at self sufficiency. TAFSP tries to light a spark of hopefulness and confidence in the children and their parents. In 2008-2009, Travelers Aid Family Services benefited 278 homeless Philadelphia families, including 834 children. TAFSP assisted 1,413 stranded travelers, including 235 children. In the first 6 months of 2009-2010, from July 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010, TAFS assisted 185 homeless families and 220 stranded travelers. Travelers Aid Family Services operates a volunteer based Passengers Assistance Booth at Central Concourse of 30th Street Station and currently provides travel and visitor information and advice to over 1,700 Amtrak, SEPTA, and regional bus passengers each week. Homeless Services
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