06/28/2023
Mt. Pleasant Community Development Corporation, Inc.
“Developing the Future”
In 1996 the Mt. Pleasant Community Development Corporation, Inc. (Mt. Pleasant CDC) began as an adjunct ministry of the Mt. Missionary BC located at 585 Mt. Pleasant Road in West Monroe La. This vision was motivated by the poor condition of homes occupied by the elderly members of that community. The Pastor and first President/CEO, Rev. J. Preston Stephens (deceased) took action and with permission/agreement from the church leadership applied for a 30-thousand-dollar elderly housing restoration Grant. This restoration Grant was approved and six housed were rehabilitated. Following this successful endeavor pastor Stephens appointed a grant writing team comprised of three principal church members, Welton and Greta Wiley along with Daphna Smith. from this collaborative effort a 501c, a Multi-year Drug Free School/Community Program, a tutorial grant which included summer feeding funding was secured. As a result of the listed achievements the Vison to Start a COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (CHDO) was conceived by Rev. J. Preston Stephens and the church leadership. This Vison was functionally Shared and mobilized by Rev. Welton Wiley and our first Board of directors’ chairman, the late Kenneth G. Jackson. The mission of Mt. Pleasant CDC is to combat deterioration in Northeast Louisiana communities: in pursuit of this mission, we: (1) provide decent, affordable housing (2) address educational needs; and support positive activities for youth and seniors.
Since the implementation of the vision, we’ve laughed, cried, fought and prayed. We’ve Transitioned from borrowing stamps for postage from the Church Clerk in the church fellowship hall to a freestanding independent cooperation. Through blessings from our Heavenly Father, excellent leadership, support from our Board of Directors and collaborative partnerships, our social programs and housing endeavors continue to meet/exceed targeted objectives.
Mt. Pleasant CDC has become the number one Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in Low-Income Housing Development for the State of Louisiana. We have developed 120 units of multi-family housing (apartments), 275 single-family houses and have funding approved for the construction of an additional 54 homes. We have acquired through acquisition/rehab partnerships, 340 multi-family units in 12 Apartment complexes throughout the state of Louisiana. We have a dedicated staff, professional leadership and a committed Board of Directors. We thank each and everyone who had a part in and continues to be a part of bringing this vision to fruition.
Mt. Pleasant CDC is a (HUD) certified Housing Counseling Agency. We provide pre and post purchase counseling for potential homeowners and a variety of one-on-one financial counseling programs. We also offer an After School Tutorial Program and a Summer Enrichment Program.
We have a youth Mentoring program and collaborate with the local (AKA) Cinderella clinic. We offer a structured group setting with which is safe and conducive for youth development in this local community. This structured process allows youth to learn from one another by providing a conducive venue for individualized skill and knowledge transference.
Credit Counseling: We provide vital information on services relating to purchasing and maintaining homes as well as, ongoing support for our housing clients.
Food Pantry: Our agency feed citizens in the local area facing hunger and food shortages by distributing cost free bags of food one day weekly. We also donate $1000 annually to our local Food Bank Agency to provide 50 pounds of food monthly to Ten Senior Citizens.
VITA: The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals who need assistance in preparing the own returns. While the IRS manages the program, the VITA sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make difference in their communities. VITA services are not only free, they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns. All VITA volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax la training that meets or exceeds IRS standards.
Resident Support Services: We partner with property management companies to provide information to their tenants, such as how to maintain a clean living environment, computer skills, spending habits and credit repair to name a few.
