Paul F. Calistro, Jr.

Executive Director West End Neighborhood House

Founder of Cornerstone West CDC and former President & CEO

A nationally, recognized leader in social services, community redevelopment and non-profit management, Paul Calistro has served as Executive Director of West End Neighborhood House since 1991. He also founded Cornerstone West, Community Development Corporation and served as its President and CEO from 1999 to 2019. Mr. Calistro has over 40 years of community leadership and public service experience, which includes serving as a volunteer for numerous public, private and non-profit organizations.

At 29, he was elected Mayor of the Town of Newport in Delaware and served four consecutive terms. During his eight years of service as Mayor, he is credited with numerous reforms and initiatives in the areas of financial planning and reporting, capital improvements, and historic preservation. Working with state and local officials, Mr. Calistro assisted in convincing a multi-international chemical company to invest 30 million dollars in plant expansion and renovations insuring long-term economic stability.

During his tenure as Mayor, Mr. Calistro also served as the Business Administrator for the Salvation Army for 10 years. He was directly responsible for overseeing statewide operations in the areas of finance, personnel, facilities and capital improvements. Under his leadership, the organization experienced a 300% growth in funding. In addition, he coordinated a capital expansion generating $2.5 million in funding for new facilities.

Since becoming the leader of both West End and Cornerstone West, Mr. Calistro developed innovative social programs in the areas of housing, foster care, community redevelopment, prenatal health care and financial loan products serving low-income and disenfranchised communities. Programs under his direction have received local, national and international recognition for program and community accomplishments. NBC’s Today Show, The American Banker, FDIC Quarterly, and an assortment of local and regional publications have recognized Mr. Calistro’s endeavors.

During his tenure as Director of West End, the agency has more than quadrupled in size and doubled in the number of people served. In 2023, West End’s nearly $7 million budget served more than 10,000 individuals and families. He has worked with staff and volunteers to raise over $200 million in funding for housing, childcare, education, youth programs, employment and training and crisis alleviation. Under his leadership, Cornerstone West has renovated or constructed over 380 units of very-low, low- and moderate-income housing. His housing initiatives, primarily for first-time homebuyers, represent over $59 million in comprehensive community revitalization efforts.

Mr. Calistro has been a leading advocate for policy changes at both the local and state levels. Called to serve by elected officials, corporate heads, non-profit leaders, academia, and civic groups, Mr. Calistro has positively influenced and effected legislative, systemic, and policy changes in the arenas of foster care, pre-natal health care, community revitalization, predatory lending, public safety, and philanthropy in Delaware. Mr. Calistro has served on numerous committees and has chaired a number of organizational boards.

Current and past services include: