Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Ritter - Deceased
Founder
Reverend Thomas J. Ritter was born in 1922 in Allendale, South Carolina and later his family settled in York, Pennsylvania. In 1942, Reverend Ritter moved to Philadelphia. He enrolled in Temple University and later at Eastern Baptist Seminary, where he received his theological education, and in later years became a Board Member of the Seminary. Reverend Ritter served as, associate pastor of Enon Tabernacle at the request of Enon’s senior pastor, the late Reverend William B. Toland. There was a church, Second Macedonia Baptist Church (SMBC), that was in need of a Supply Pastor. Reverend Toland sent Reverend Ritter to fill that position. When Reverend Ritter went to SMBC, located at American and Dauphin Streets, there were only six members. Due to the increase in membership, over time the church moved six times, to where they are currently located, 1301 West Ruscomb Street. Prior to Reverend Ritter’s homegoing in 2009, he pastored SMBC for 50 consecutive years.
In the 1950s Reverend Ritter met and worked with the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan of Zion Baptist Church. Together they operated the North Philadelphia Youth Employment Service Center, which located jobs for unemployed and underemployed youth. Out of that work, they established the Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC), in which Reverend Ritter was Co-Founder and Executive Director of the first Center. This program expanded to the point, that Centers were located across the United States and internationally.
In 1983, Reverend Ritter developed a Board of Directors, the Community Development Corporation of Philadelphia, Inc., which built an inner-city Shopping Mall at 2900 N. 29 th Street. The primary purpose of building this structure, was to lift up the Black race, by allowing many of them to become first-time store owners. The Shopping Mall is still flourishing.
In 1989, Reverend Ritter established the Giving of Self Partnership (GOSP), its primary purpose was to serve the community residents, by equipping them with employment skills, adequate healthcare, quality preschool educational programs, and other resources that would enable the families to overcome their circumstances. The Center continues to provide the above services and more.
Reverend Ritter was very influential and well-respected by his peers, governmental officials, the business world and the public; and, most especially he was sorely loved by his family and his beloved church family.
Cynthia E. Sims -
Executive Director
Cynthia’s degree in computer programming from Temple and a successful career in professional finance coupled with the experience of owning a prosperous local business made Cynthia the perfect candidate to serve as Treasurer of the Giving of Self Partnership. Over the years, Cynthia’s devotion and commitment to the Giving of Self Partnership grew, as did her responsibility. In 2008 she accepted the opportunity to serve as Executive Director, a position to which she loyally and faithfully remains committed. Cynthia is a lifelong member of the community and has spent over twenty years dedicated to the growth and achievement of the Giving of Self Partnership. She is humbled and grateful to serve, work and give back to the community that has had a major impact on her life and in the lives of so many in her family. Cynthia is respected for her strength and perseverance and she is loved for the kindness and joy that she shares with so many.
Minister Julian C Shanks Jr. -
Chairman
Educated in the Philadelphia public school system and graduated from Central High School in 1981. After completing his education, Julian enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served until 1989. Since 1991, Julian has worked most of his life as a Communication Technician, working for Bell Atlantic (Verizon), and has been a contractor for Comcast, Dish Network, as well as other CLECs. He is certified in Cable, Satellite, and Telephone communications, and is trained in the installation of network infrastructures. For the past 10 years, Julian has been employed as a Field Operations Manager by CSL Services INC. a sewer and storm water metering company serving the East coast, Las Vegas, and LA California. After years of service and support to Giving of Self Partnership, Julian became a member of the Board of Directors in 2011 under the leadership of its Chairman, the late Deacon Joseph Burke. Julian served as Secretary until 2019 when he was elected to Chairman of the Board.