Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2012 Issue | Page 15

BUILDING COMMUNITY: JIGGETTS JOINS PPDC
EMILY CHERRY
This February, the Peter Paul Development Center welcomed
a new executive director. Damon Jiggetts joined the PPDC
staff after serving as vice president of operations for
Communities in Schools of Richmond, Inc., and as director
of Operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Roanoke
Valley. The PPDC is a related organization of the Diocese that
serves Richmond’s East End community as an outreach and
community center for children and adults.
The Virginia Episcopalian had a chance to interview
Jiggetts about his work.

Schools. After having spent a year in Roanoke, establishing
school-based Boys & Girls Clubs in the Roanoke Valley, CIS
seemed like a great fit, given their school-based model and
coordinating role. I had experienced some challenges in
working within the community in the Roanoke Valley, and
to be honest, it was directly attributed to my age and race.
Working through those situations taught me a lot about
people and heightened my awareness about how I may be
perceived and received, as I continue in my career. I used that
awareness to motivate me. As I transitioned to Communities
In Schools of Richmond,
What attracted you to the
I wanted to make sure
position at the Peter Paul
that my team exemplified
Development Center?
the highest standards

Peter Paul presented me
possible and my role was
with an opportunity to fulfill
to support them in any way
personal and professional
possible. This approach
aspirations, within a
really paid dividends for
community about which I
the organization and
am deeply passionate. I’ve
the employees felt a
been blessed with wonderful
tremendous sense of buy-in
professional experiences,
Photo: Emily Cherry
and commitment to the
mentors and relationships,
Bishop Johnston (center) joins Peter Paul Development Center
mission. I’ve learned over
and Peter Paul felt like the
Board members (left to right) Anne Hines, Christopher Moore
the last 14 years that an
best place to utilize my
and Tony Anthony and new executive director Damon Jiggetts
organization is only as good
professional capacities
at the Mayo Memorial Church House in Richmond.
as its employees’ contribution
to fulfill my purpose for
to the mission, innovative
developing young people and
initiative and ownership of its
advocating for victims of social, educational and economic
outcomes. Leaders support that culture, listen actively and
injustices. Peter Paul’s centralized location, amidst four
respond with resounding admiration of success. That’s the
of the more impoverished public housing communities in
culture of excellence we must maintain at Peter Paul.
the country, compels me to offer the facility as a venue for
partners, family engagement and spiritual growth. I truly
What are your hopes for the future of PPDC?
believe God has plac