Nurturing the Future, One Family At a Time

To date, Wilson Commencement Park has served 560 families in residence; 1050 children; 611 community families served annually totaling approximately 1,141 resident parents and children.

Lessons learned at WCP endure. Independent research completed by the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) in 2002 of WCP graduates showed the following outcomes:

Wilson Commencement Park has been selected three times for national recognition in the Enterprise Foundation's publication, Beyond Housing. WCP's program has been identified as one of 31 service-enriched housing programs in the United States worthy of replication.

The Philanthropic Initiative has also recognized WCP, as one of the highest performing transformational housing programs in the country. WCP is also one of three winners of the Enterprise 2006 MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing, in recognition nationally, of how our approach of helping low-income families with housing, comprehensive support, early childhood education, and access to a network of community partners is now recognized as a national solution to the challenge of long-term welfare dependency. We also received in May 2007, a Leadership Award from Phi Delta Kappa in recognitions of “Outstanding Dedication and Commitment to the Community”.

WCP graduates tell it best:

" Wilson Commencement Park is like a family. They are there to lend you a helping hand when you need help. They made me believe I could do anything."

" Wilson Commencement Park is my rock of stability -- that strong foundation that supports me as I endeavor to achieve my goals. The case managers that I have had are not just some bureaucratic paper-pushers; they are my voice of encouragement when the nay-sayers tell me I'll never make it."

" Wilson Commencement Park teaches life skills you do not get in school."

"You gather lots and lots of gifts here that stay with you forever."

" Wilson Commencement Park is a greenhouse for people who have planted the seed for success."

A former drug addict states that "Now I get my highs off being a Mom. I also have spiritual highs when you look at where you are. I cry a lot but they are tears of joy."

"I do a lot of things to help out in my community. But, I've never left the Park. I always come back (to help others)."

" Wilson Commencement Park for me is sunshine."

Resident's Stories:

 

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