His Truth is Marching On
The New Beltline Neighborhood
Boston Street the Sequel
Boston Street - A Child's Gauntlet
Meet the Belt Line
A Coalition of Trust
Community Development Corporation, an ecumenical Christian non- profit organization, was legally incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) in April 2004. Our mission is a holistic revitalization of the Belt Line Neighborhood through partnerships with local residents, churches and 50 local businesses. Once a strong and vital community, the Belt Line struggles with issues of crime, blight, and chronic unemployment. Our vision includes re-imaging a broken community with new housing, community resources, and building green spaces and parks, as a testimony to the creative and loving power of God.
Together we have achieved many goals:
- Renovated 25 houses with the assistance of local residents and volunteers, many of which are now occupied by qualified home buyers.
- Demolished 50 vacant and/or dilapidated structures.
- Cleared 120 properties and currently keep lawns mowed on 115 lots with the assistance of local residents and volunteers.
- Reduced neighborhood crime by 80% over 10 years.
- Co-sponsored over 20 neighborhood community-building festivals in co-operation with Coca-Cola and Clean Memphis.
- Opened the Belt Line Youth Enrichment Center for early childhood, elementary, and middle school children in March 2008. Added a green space playground in 2018 as a community asset.
- Advocate for Aspire, a new elementary and middle school charter school.
- For several years, in partnership with Williams Temple COGIC, Jacob's LadderTM established the Belt Line Teen Center in January of 2010 which provided a safe haven, structure and enrichment activities for teens after school
- Built a new community resource center in the heart of the Belt Line neighborhood
Future goals include:
- The purchase and maintenance of another 15 lots in the Belt Line community.
- Address at-risk youth and teen age pregnancy issues.
- Provide support services for seniors.
- Begin long-term neighborhood redevelopment.
- Address cultural issues of predatory lending and financial dependency.
Get Involved!
Jacob's Ladder™ provides many opportunities for those interested in helping revitalize the Memphis area.
Check out the links below for more information on specific ways to get involved with Jacob's Ladder:
- Donate- Volunteer
- Mentoring