OVERVIEW OF CDC
 Wilson Community Improvement Association (WCIA) was organized in
1968 as a nonprofit neighborhood organization with the expressed purpose of empowering
grassroots African-Americans of Wilson, NC, to become self-sufficient through increased
education, job training and economic development by forming partnerships throughout the
community. Since its incorporation in 1973, WCIA has addressed such issues as
health, job creation, housing, crime, education, and leadership development. The
focus in the early days were on voter education and addressing community concerns such as
unpaved streets, substandard housing, youth, and employment.
Wilson, NC is located in the eastern part of the state, about 45miles northeast of
Raleigh, and is the county seat. More than 80 percent of the land area is
undeveloped, though most tillable land is in use. Sustained flooding from recent
hurricanes has devastated this region. The population served is predominantly
African-American and living below the poverty level; the average area income is less than
$15,000. Due to its poverty level Wilson has been designated a federal Empowerment
Zone (EZ) and East Wilson is an Enterprise Community (EC). The unemployment rate for
the County is 8.4 percent compared with 2.6 percent for the state. The East Wilson
EC designation illustrates the problem of poverty and the need for resources. The
population in the EC is 11,026; 17 percent of the population is over 25 years old and has
less than a ninth grade education. Women head 57 percent of the households.
The education drop out rate is 4.2 percent compared with the surrounding county's rate of
3.5 percent.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
 WCIA has partnered with more then twenty corporations, foundations,
and state and federal institutions that have created 285 units of housing for senior
citizens, low and moderate income persons, self-help projects, and job training
programs. WCIA created over 300 jobs and has assisted approximately 100 at-risk
teenagers through job training. The CDC’s existing programs include affordable
housing, housing and family counseling, comprehensive senior citizens programs and
services, youth mentoring and life survival skills training, job creation, development
training and retention, and community leadership training and development.
 WCIA’s
current activities include the management of the Mercy Business Training and Development
Center (MBTDC). MBTDC, previously known as Mercy Hospital, once housed the Wilson
Hospital and Tubercular Home. Mercy Hospital was one of three health care facilities
in eastern North Carolina available to African-Americans prior to desegregation in the
1960s. The two-story structure, once a hub of the East Wilson community and prior to
WCIA’s renovation efforts, was the largest and most dilapidated structure in its
neighborhood. MBTDC houses the CDC’s offices and has the capacity to serve ten
small businesses.
 WCIA developed two subdivisions Adventura
East I and II, constructing 142 total
units. This development also includes extensive
counseling and pre-qualifications. The CDC also developed Beacon Pointe, a
transitional and rental housing resource for East Wilson. This 104-unit apartment
complex was acquired as a HUD foreclosed property. WCIA renovated the development
and provided counseling and offered supportive services to the existing residents.
WCIA’s first housing development is the 38-unit senior complex, Gee-Corbett
Village. The development was constructed to provide affordable quality housing and
ancillary services to its residents. Gee-Corbett Village is also home to the Wilson Senior
Center, which offers arts and crafts, exercise, health and consumer related seminars and
congregate meals.
WCIA developed two Neighborhood Resource Centers adjacent to the single-family subdivision
and Beacon Pointe. In these 3,000 square foot Centers, the CDC is able to offer and
provide workshops, training, special events, and other activities to bring the residents
together and foster a climate of community.
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