WBC CDC Gala 2009 Saturday, Nov. 14!

WBC Community Development Corporation, Inc.
presents

2^nd Annual Gala
“Building, Reaching, Growing Toward Excellence”

Tremont Suites Hotel

225 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21201 USA

Saturday November 14, 2009

7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Sponsorship Package

The WBC Community Development Corporation, its staff and volunteers have contributed many hours to support the Northwest Baltimore communities. It is the vision of the WBC Community Development Corporation to provide the Northwest Baltimore City communities with safe, self-sustaining neighborhoods where the quality of life for all of its citizens is assured. This will be accomplished by providing social programs, affordable housing and economic development. This can only be obtained through partnerships with government, business, the local churches, and the local communities.

Each year we work to accomplish the WBC Community Development Corporation’s goals and objectives. Since our incorporation in 2007, we have been blessed with multiple successes. A few of them are: the Martin Luther King Freedom Walk with Dick Gregory, the establishment of a neighborhood Peace Garden with the assistance of the WWFF-BOC Neighborhood Association, a Wellness Walk at Lake Ashburton; a community Christmas lighting on Garrison Boulevard, and a Fall Crab Feast. Those successes serve as a foundation and a spring board to continual progress to help empower the citizens and truly positively impact the neighborhoods. One of the major projects the WBC Community Development Corporation will be undertaking is the construction of a ninety unit housing development for seniors located at 3020-3026 Garrison Blvd. This development, known as Wayland Village, is a fourteen million dollar project scheduled to open in December 2010.

The WBC Community Development Corporation funds its mission through the financial support of donations and gifts from government, private institutions, foundations, grants, community partners, the local churches, and private patrons. This event directly impacts our efforts to promote our goal of “Building, Reaching, Growing toward Excellence.” We would love to have your support in helping us to fulfill our mission.

Thank you,

Larry Smith,
Chair
Gala Committee

Gala Sponsorship Opportunities

Platinum Sponsor - $10,000

§ Company name and logo will be listed in program journal at the Platinum Level.

§ Inclusion in all print and broadcast media for 2010.

§ PSA's, paid advertising and written correspondence.

§ Full back page ad in program journal.

§ 10 tickets to Gala.

§ Event day recognition and award as a Platinum Sponsor.

§ Included in our special support announcements.

§ Advertisement and promotional opportunities at special functions at least twice a year including the Community Tree Lighting in December.

Gold Sponsor - $7,500

§ Company name and logo will be listed in program journal at the Gold Level.

§ Inclusion in all print and broadcast media for 2010.

§ Event day recognition and award as a Gold Sponsor.

§ Full Inside back page ad in program journal

§ 8 tickets to Gala.

§ Advertisement and promotional opportunities at special functions at least twice a year including the Community Tree Lighting in December.

Silver Sponsor - $5,000

§ Company name and logo listed in program journal at the Silver Level.

§ 6 tickets to Gala.

§ Event day recognition and award as a Silver Sponsor.

§ Half-page advertisement in program journal.

Bronze Sponsor - $2,500

§ Company name and logo listed in program journal at the Bronze Level.

§ 4 tickets Gala.

§ Event day recognition and award as a Bronze Sponsor.

§ Half page advertisement in program journal.

Sponsor - $1,000

§ Company name and logo listed in program journal at Sponsor level.

§ 2 tickets to Gala.

§ Quarter page ad in the program journal.

§ Name listed in the program journal.

Patron – $100 to $500

§ Listed in program journal.

The cost for a ticket for this event is $60.00 per person.
A table of ten (10) can be purchased for $600.00

Artist Larry "Poncho" Brown in partnership with WBC CDC art sale for Wayland Senior Village

World renown Baltimore artist Larry "Poncho" Brown has partnered with the WBC Community Development Corporation to offer for sale limited edition prints of his work "Window of Faith" to benefit the Wayland Senior Village. Each reproduction retails for$100.00 (plus $10.00 for shipping and handling) and each print not only comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, but will be signed and numbered by the artist himself.

Larry "Poncho" Brown started his first business at the age of 17 as a signwriter and he has been a full time artist ever since. Poncho received his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. His art, both fine and commercial, has been published nationally in Upscale, Ebony, Ebony Man, Essence, and Jet magazines. In February '99 his art was featured in the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History Textile Series No. 2 book entitled "Wrapped In Pride." His popular works have been prominently featured on several TV shows and movies including "Soulfood", "The Wire", "A Different World", "In The House" and "Avalon." His work adorns the walls of the likes of Bill Cosby, Dick Gregory, Anita Baker, Susan Taylor, Ed Gordon and Bernard Bronner just to name a few.

If you would like to support WBC Community Development Corporation's Wayland Senior Village as well as add "Window of Faith" to your art collection, you may order your print here on the blog via Paypal, call 410-578-9142 or email: wbccdc@gmail.com

WBC CDC and AmeriCorps NCCC featured in Baltimore Times article

WBC Community Development Corporation featured in article in Baltimore Times.

Spirit of Volunteerism Rebuilds

Written by Ron Kipling Williams

Tennis shoes hanging from telephone wires marked drug territory on West Baltimore’s Fairview Avenue. Thanks to native Denise Harper and a community coalition, the tennis shoes have come down and the drug dealing presence has diminished. 

Harper returned to the neighborhood. She purchased a dilapidated corner house at 3200 Chelsea Terrace dominated by dealers. “People thought I was crazy to return,” said Harper, who lived for a time in Owings Mills. 

After threats to her life and property, she enlisted the help of law enforcement. Baltimore City Police Department NW District Commanding Officer Major Nathan Warfield and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy and her staff took action.

A half a block away is a Peace Garden. Three years ago the lot was overrun with weeds and debris. Now it is a place of meditation, with gravel pathways, perennial and annual flowers, picnic benches and lawn furniture, a butterfly garden, and a budding art mural. The Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks also got involved, planting 40 trees.


Harper’s return has been a journey of community reclamation, back to a time when everyone knew their neighbors, and well kept properties reflected a sense of pride.

Three years ago, she created the WBC, Community Development Corporation (WBC CDC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works with the WWFF-BOC (Woodhaven Wolcott Fairview Bonner Oakfield Chelsea) Neighborhood Association.

WFF-BOC is a relatively quiet community, with tree-lined streets and Tudor, row, bungalow and Victorian styled homes. They are minutes from city parks and a golf course. “It is one of the best secrets in Baltimore,” said Executive Director Harper.

This past May, the WBC CDC was awarded a $12 million tax credit to build Wayland Village Senior Center, a 90-unit independent senior affordable rental housing facility, one of the largest in West Baltimore.

When WBC CDC began, the community was suffering from decreasing home values, high rental properties and a 60-70 percent population of underserved seniors.

Harper called neighboring Wayland Baptist Church to assist. The 100-year old institution immediately jumped in.  At first residents did not see Harper’s vision. “What’s around you controls what you feel,” said Harper. “When you constantly see trash, your mind and body starts to feel like trash.”

Enter AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), federal government program that sends 18-24 year olds around the country to provide disaster relief and other services. “It’s challenging but rewarding,” said 22-year old Gretchen Sneegas.  AmeriCorps NCCC provides each volunteer a stipend and health insurance coverage. At the end of their 10 month commitment volunteers receive about $5200 toward college tuition. They even assist high school dropouts to receive their GED.

“They opened my eyes to what’s important— making an impact on the future,” said 21-year old Chad Kennedy, a North Carolina native.

The first AmeriCorps NCCC team came in the spring, sponsored by Dru-Mondawmin Healthy Families and WBC CDC, who focused their service on community outreach, particularly expecting mothers regarding pregnancy and parenting issues. Additionally, they reestablish block leaders and recreated community fellowship.

The second team, which arrived this summer, will be in the community until September 18, 2009. “It’s very rewarding and challenging,” said Team Leader Peter Czarkowski, who before AmeriCorps NCCC, helped Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans. “It requires a lot of planning and organizing, and 24-7 social skills.”

The crew is currently working on the Fairview Avenue Fellowship Project. The 3917 Fairview Avenue property had been vacant for 20 years.

On Saturday, August 8, 2009 a celebration for the volunteers was held at the Peace Garden with games, food and music. 

Last year, WBC CDC organized the city’s only Martin Luther King Campaign for Peace, which featured legendary activist/comedian Dick Gregory and State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy. Over 200 churches and 1000 persons participated. “We’re looking to create a movement,” said Harper, “To create a positive identity.”

To learn more about WBC CDC, please call 410-578-9142 or 410-209-7280, or email wbccdc@gmail.com.  You may also visit their blog at www.wbccdc.blogspot.com.

To learn more about AmeriCorps NCCC, contact them at 1-800-942-2677, or visit their website at www.AmeriCorps.gov/nccc.

WBC CDC and Americorps NCCC gear up for Community Day

Saturday August 8, 2009

Fairview Fellowship Project Community Day

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Fairview House Blessing 1:00 pm

Peace Garden

3204 Chelsea Terrace

Baltimore, Maryland 21216

The WBC Community Development Corporation in partnership with Americorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), WWFF-BOC Neighborhood Association, Wayland Baptist Church and other businesses are joining together to improve northwest Baltimore neighborhoods and convert a vacant house into an affordable, livable home.

The Fairview Fellowship Project is designed to turn 3917 Fairview Avenue into an energy-efficient, affordable home for a Baltimore City family. The community day will be a day of work performed by local contractors, Americorps and community volunteers on the Fairview House. There will be games, music, food and fellowship for all volunteers at the adjacent Peace Garden located at 3204 Chelsea Terrace in Baltimore.

3917 Fairview is one of six vacant and deteriorating houses on the 3800 and 3900 blocks of Fairview Avenue. Come join us as we strive to bring attention to this problem, and to encourage our community to rise up and make their neighborhood safer and more beautiful!

Gretchen Sneegas

Media Representative, Class XV, Wolf 2

Americorps NCCC

gsneegas@umail.iu.edu

###

WBC CDC Welcomes New Americorps NCCC Team

As of July 20^th, there are several new smiling faces to be seen in the WBC Community Development Center. They belong to Wolf 2, the new Americorps team to be stationed in the area.

This team will be working in WWFF-BOC through September 18, and they have a lot to accomplish in those two months. They will be helping to rehabilitate 3917 Fairview, a vacant house that Wolf 2 is working hard to turn into a home.

The house, which has been sitting untouched for almost a decade, is due for a facelift. The front yard is choked with weeds, while the back is buried under trash and debris. The doors and windows are boarded, paint is flaking from the wood, and ivy is creeping up the walls. Team Leader Peter Czarkowski, however, remains confident that Wolf 2 can help. "The house needs a lot of work," says Czarkowski, "but we hope to make a big dent in it by September."

Other tasks the team will be tackling include continuing the work that the previous Americorps team, Raven 2, began on the Peace Garden; maintaining the "Rise Up Pick Up" campaign by helping to eliminate litter in the neighborhood; and planning a community day on August 8^th.

If you would like to meet the team, feel free to join Wayland Baptist Church on Sunday, July 26^th, when they will be introduced to the community. You can also drive by the Peace Garden most days and lend a helping hand!

Gretchen Sneegas

Media Representative, Class XV, Wolf 2

Americorps NCCC

gsneegas@umail.iu.edu

###

Workforce Shortage Grants due July 1!!!!

Workforce Shortage Grant applications due July 1
Funding is awarded through the Maryland Higher Education Commission

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 9, 2009) Students who are entering or already enrolled in college and want to improve the lives of others in the community by pursuing careers in various areas of public service may be eligible to apply for financial aid from the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

MHEC is currently accepting applications for the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant (WSSAG). This program targets those who want to pursue critical workforce shortage areas such as:

● Teaching
● Nursing
● Human Service fields
● Physical and Occupational Therapists and Assistants
● Child Care Providers;
● Social Workers;
● Lawyers;
● and various other public service careers as defined by MHEC.

“Workforce shortage is one of our most pressing challenges in Maryland,” said Secretary of Higher Education James E. Lyons, Sr.
“Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown have been deeply committed to putting families first by preparing and enhancing Maryland’s workforce and our state’s competitive advantage. MHEC is proud to coordinate one of the efforts on behalf of the administration.”

In order to qualify for the WSSAG, students must major in a program that leads to employment in a critical shortage field and agree to work full-time one year for each year they receive the scholarship. For instance, an applicant who receives a scholarship for four years of study to become a teacher will owe a minimum of four years of service as a teacher in a Maryland elementary or secondary school upon graduation.
The WSSAG is also available for part-time students. Part-time students who receive the grant must agree to work two years in the critical shortage field for every one year they receive the scholarship.

Applicants must be Maryland residents enrolled as full- or part-time, degree seeking undergraduate or graduate students at an eligible Maryland postsecondary institution. Detailed eligible majors and employments fields can be accessed by going to the MHEC website:
www.MDgo4it.org. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $4,000 per academic year based on type of institution attended and enrollment status. Awards are subject to the availability of funds. Applicants will be selected for awards based on merit and need-based criteria. Applications and all required documents must be received by the Office of Student Financial Assistance by July 1, 2009 to be considered for awards beginning in September 2009.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It awards almost $110 million in grants and scholarships to approximately 58,000 students each year.
####

WBC CDC Gets Commendation from Baltimore City Council

WBC Community Development Corporation received recognition from the Baltimore City Council for its efforts in the revitalization of Northwest Baltimore and the creation and development of additional affordable senior housing through its Wayland Senior Village project. The celebration was held Sunday, May 3, 2009 at the Wayland Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. (See entire photo album of the event by clicking on slideshow on the sidebar.)

Senior Wellness Activity Program!

WBC CDC Community Development Corporation

in partnership with

Wayland Baptist Church

and the Baltimore City Department of Aging

presents the first annual

SENIOR WELLNESS

ACTIVITY PROGRAM
Starting June 1, 2009
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Wayland Baptist Church

3200 Garrison Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21215

Featuring great activites as:
Ø Meals
Ø Fellowship
Ø Scrapbooking
Ø Wellness
Ø Book Club
Ø Day Trips
Ø Health
Ø Fitness
Ø Sewing
Ø Computers
Ø Aerobic Dance
Ø Health Screenings
Ø Games

Sign Up Today!!!

All classes are $40.00 for eight sessions.
Registration: April 1 – May 30 at 3200 Garrison Blvd.

Mondays and Tuesdays between 10am – 12 pm.

Denise Harper, Program Director

Call 410-578-9142 or email: wbccdc@gmail.com for more information