The Philadelphia Prevention Partnership started in 1990. Its initial start up came because SAMSHA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) gave the city a one time grant for tobacco, drug, and alcohol prevention. Once the obligations for the grant were fulfilled and the funds depleted, the DBHIDs (Department of Behavioral Health) saw the benefits and the positive effects that the program brought into the community. Therefore, they decided to continue to fund the program. The Executive Director at that time was Mr. Angel L. Medina, a long time community activist  was passionate about the community, especially the Latino community. Five years later, in 1995, the Latino Partnership Initiative (LPI) was formed. The Coordinator was Ms. Felicita Feliciano Rivera. Immediately, the LPI became the voice for the Latino community. Issues were addressed in Latino schools, Seniors were assisted, Bodegas were helped, and issues such as immigration and discrimination in the community were tackled. Shortly after that program started, the Institute for African American Mobilization ( IAAM) was formed. The coordinator at the time was Mr. Mario Cooper (now deceased). Today, it is Ms. Evelyn Bacon. The IAAM started to work in the same areas as LPI, but within the African American Community, working directly inside of schools. The Partnership now had representation in the Latino and African American community. In 1998, the United Northeast Neighbors (UNN) was created. The Program Coordinator was Mr. Glen Devitt. This initiative reached out to the northeast community, bringing attention to the drug and alcohol use that they were facing. They offered training and workshops on drugs, alcohol, and the dangers of tobacco. They also started a smoking cessation program. The final Initiative is the Faith Based Initiative (FBI)- this one started because there was a disconnect with the local pastors and the community. There were many churches in the community, but there was no relationship with one other. Through the FBI, the doors of many churches were opened and the community felt welcomed. The Homeless Outreach was started, the Community Closet and Pantry was started, and the community is now being served in different ways. The Partnership's holistic approach has proven to be the best way to engage and give back to the community. The Philadelphia Prevention Partnership has evolved in many ways. Their idea of thinking outside of the box has proven to be just what the community needs. They are more than drug and alcohol prevention, they are more than a regular agency, they are more than numbers on pages. The Partnership is an entity whose desire is to engage their community, develop their community, and empower their community. They desire to train their community to be the best and do the best that they can possibly do right where they are.