Statements
Mission
The Wilson County Civic League (W.C.C.L.) seeks to revitalize our community by empowering residents to become self-reliant, and economically secure. The W.C.C.L. will be the catalyst for this change by building coalitions and providing and implementing sustainable community development programs that improve people's lives. Our goal is to increase attendance in our programs by collaborating with the churches and other organizations. Encourage the tenants in our apartments to participate in our programs.Our vision is that residents will have the opportunity to create economically self-sufficient lives in a community that is flourishing with opportunity and growth.Core values: The W.C.C.L. seeks to strengthen the values of our community by developing and implementing charitable community development programs that emphasize volunteerism, charity, honesty, commitment and service.Motto: Preventive measures exceed rehabilative efforts.
Background
The Wilson County Civic League is a 501 (3) c organization established in 1984. The organization works out of the Market Street Community Center, which is a historical site (Julius Rosenwald School).The organization was started by a group of concerned citizens who felt that the economical, social, educational and housing needs were not being addressed.The Board of Directors now are active citizens of the community-men, women, who work in various professions from private business to government. They live in the community. The Community Center serves as a voting precinct during elections.The (W.C.C.L.) became a Community Housing Development Agency in 1997 to address the poor housing conditions in the community. Twenty-three housing units were built with matching grants from THDA.
Impact
WCCL Tutoring Program has been able to provide virtual access for students to log in for assistance with school work with and obtain help in improving grades. We obtained report cards from students. Each of the participants showed improvement in Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Math. We employed certified teachers to work with the participants. Our tutoring program sponsored a summer reading and STEM camp during June 2023. Children were encouraged to read books and participate in STEM activities over the summer. An Arts Academy was established during 2005, with 5 experienced art teachers instructing participants in graphic art, music, dance and performing arts. The 2023 Summer Arts Academy enrolled over 31 culturally disadvantaged participants in the program. High school students volunteered to earn Tennessee Scholars hours. The Arts Academy has been conducted each summer at the Market Street Community Center. During the summer of 2023 the Recreation Department of Wilson County Civic League sponsored a four week basketball clinic. The clinic taught area boys and girls (approximately 36) the basics of the sport, with no opponents. Local volunteer coaches were eager to assist the disadvantaged children of the community. Five goals for the coming year include: 1) seeking to add a program for veterans, 2) education to community on opioid use, 3) collaborating with other organizations to offer programs for the community, 4) improving and upgrading our facilities, and 5) increase grantwriting capability.
Needs
1. Part-time grant writer, receiving % of grant. 2. Improved fundraising goal of $50,000/year. 3. Increased membership from 50 to 100 individuals. 4. Increase volunteers from 10 to 20.
CEO Statement
After cancelling programs and offering programs virtually during the year 2020 and some of the 2021 programs, we have returned to in-person activities for the community that we serve. Precaution measures were put in place for a safe return to sponsoring in-person programs for youth .
Board Chair Statement
Some of the programs that the W.C.C.L. has collaborated on or instituted in the past include: tutoring, Girl Scouts, swimming, exercise programs, boxing, arts education, dance, senior citizens, mentoring, cemetery maintenance, community homeless outreach, pre-k, tutoring scholarships, backpack nutrition, basketball, community Christmas, housing, Boys and Girls Club, health fairs, football camps, Mid-Cumberland weatherization and energy assistance, library, preserving historical buildings, monthly speakers, financial workshops, Black History presentations, tennis, softball, homebuyer education, THDA Home Grant program, offering S.T.E.M., host mentoring program, sponsored health fairs, present drug abuse awareness seminar.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Community Improvement, Capacity Building - Economic Development |
| Secondary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
| Tertiary Category: | Housing, Shelter - Housing Support |
Areas Served
The Market Street Community Center is on the site of a past historical Julius Rosenwald School. It is also on the state historical register. The Center sits in the midst of 3 public housing complexes which are all within a 1 mile radius apart. Although we serve all Wilson County, our Community Center is located in the inner-city, east side of Lebanon, TN. The community has a high number of single women as head of household (81%).
| TN - Wilson |
