[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 188 (Thursday, November 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING PHOENIX PROJECT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 29, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
dynamic non-profit organization, Phoenix Project Community Development 
Foundation, Inc.
  Phoenix Project Community Development Foundation, Inc. (PPCDF, Inc.) 
is a development corporation headquartered at 997 Main Street in 
Fayette, Mississippi. The name of this organization was derived from 
the myth of the Phoenix bird, which fell to Earth and burned to ashes 
yet rose from the ashes to attain greater heights. This is the 
``Phoenix Vision'' for Southwest Mississippi.
  This organization was founded in 1995 by Walter Huston, Executive 
Director and Volley Davis, Deputy Director.
  PPCDF, Inc. serves the residents and citizens of Southwest 
Mississippi by aiding in community and economic development matters 
such as: Workforce Development, Community Leadership Programs, Grant 
Writing and Community Education Programs. PPCDF, Inc. also aids 
individuals, government entities, nonprofits, churches and fraternal 
organizations. The focus for this organization is to devise strategies 
that: reduce pervasive poverty, alleviate high systemic unemployment; 
elevate educational achievement for youth and adults and to raise the 
standard of living for all residents of Southwest Mississippi.
  PPCDF, Inc. received the ``Making Things Better Award'' at the 2003 
Low-Income Customer Summit, in New Orleans, Louisiana sponsored by 
ENTERGY Corporation and in 2001 this organization conducted 
``Leadership Jefferson'', a nine-month community leadership development 
program for citizens of Jefferson County, Mississippi.
  PPCDF, Inc. also operated ``Phoenix AOP'' (Adolescent Opportunity 
Program) a program for adolescent offenders ages 12 to 17. This program 
assisted participants in: Character Building, Leadership, Academic and 
Social Skills and operated from 2008 until April 2016 in Claiborne, 
Jefferson and Pearl River Counties.
  In Fiscal Year, 2016-2017, PPCDF, Inc. entered into a partnering 
agreement with Families First of MS, offering an afterschool tutoring 
for youth's in grades 1 through 12, which included: ACT Prep and On-
Line Diploma Program for Dropouts and Adult Learners. Also, other 
services are: Workforce Readiness, Youth Development, Financial 
Literacy, and Parenting classes.
  The mission to reduce poverty, high unemployment, and elevate 
educational achievement gaps will be met while teaching students 
Alternative Life and Workforce Readiness Skills. Phoenix Project 
Community Development Foundation, Inc. is also a designated ACT 
WORKKEYS Assessment Site.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this great 
organization, Phoenix Project Community Development Foundation, Inc., 
that is serving and giving back to the community in Fayette, MS and the 
surrounding areas.

                          ____________________