Union Bethel AME Church: We Are Family

Rev. Charles T. Sembly, Board Chair, We Are Family Community Development Corporation

2008-07-21T07:58:00.022-04:00

Rev. Charles T. Sembly, Pastor, Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Randallstown, Maryland

Greetings and welcome to the We Are Family Community Development Corporation's Family Life Intergenerational Center Building Project Blog. We are delighted you stopped by to visit us, and learn more about this exciting construction project which will serve the entire Randallstown, Maryland community-wide region.

We Are Family Community Development Corporation is a 501C(3) non-profit organization, operating under the auspices of the 180 year old Union Bethel AME church in Randallstown, Maryland. WAFCDC was established in November 2003, to increase the Church's ability to serve its community, and to offer a creative array of services and opportunities to residents of the Liberty Road Corridor, helping to build a better community. The mission of the WAFCDC is to provide leadership, training, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to area residents and businesses.The WAFCDC established goals are to: (1) Serve as a focal point for development in the Liberty Road/Randallstown community; (2) Offer educational, recreational, and leisure programs designed to increase the well-being of children and young people; (3) Develop and effectively manage affordable adult day services; and (4) Increase the number of home owners through education, training and financial assistance.

Our work has only just begun. We thank you for your commitments – both current and future -- financial contributions and volunteer endeavors - to the Family Life Intergenerational Center building project.

Please take time to visit the site often. There will be ongoing "What's New - Who's Who" updates, videos, music, activities, and much more. So "click" http://wafcdcfamilylifecenter.blogspot.com often throughout your day if you are able. Do share the site with your co-workers, friends, family and children. This is an "interactive" world we live in; thus, we at the WAFCDC are also taking technology "up a notch." So, "stay tuned to this station" for more.

May God continue to encourage you, and bless you.

In His Service, Rev. Charles T. Sembly

Rev. Linda E. Mouzon, Executive Director, We Are Family Community Development Corporation

2008-07-21T07:56:00.005-04:00

Rev. Linda E. Mouzon, Associate Pastor, Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Randallstown, Maryland

This has really been an exciting year for the We Are Family (WAF) Community Development Corporation (CDC). We’ve worked to fulfill our mission to empower individuals throughout the community and to reclaim and restore dignity to the people and their communities. As you read this report, you will see that we have made great strives though an organization of strong staff and committed hearts to achieve our goals. There are many persons to thank for helping to make the organization’s inaugural year an overwhelming success.

We must first thank our church, Union Bethel AME Church of Randallstown, whose congregational members, 70 years ago, envisioned the same services that we now are blessed to provide, as well as our visionary pastor, Reverend Charles T. Sembly. Then we must thank our families, friends, staff and supporters for their help. We owe our success to God and to each of you. We look forward to continuing our work and seeing the fruit of our labor in the programs that we provide to the community.

We hope to continue the success of the WAF CDC as we prosper through the grace and mercy of the Lord.

Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of people what God has prepared for those who love Him - 1 Corinthians 2:9

In His Service, Rev. Linda E. Mouzon

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. II Corinthians 9:6

First Time Homebuyer's Program/Mortgage Foreclosure Program

2008-07-21T07:07:00.007-04:00

For Information Please Contact:
Yolanda Surles, Program Manager
410-922-9623
ysurles_wafcdc@comcast.net

2008 FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER'S SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

Click Here: Maryland CDA Programs
Click Here: More House 4 Less

The First Time Homebuyers Program, funded through the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation is specifically designed to assist low- and moderate- income individuals in purchasing a home in Northwest Baltimore County. Participants attend educational seminars, receive one-on-one counseling and financial assistance with the cost of down payment. Closing costs up to a maximum of $10,000 are funded through the Settlement Expense Loan Fund. Through a pilot program sponsored through the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation, assistance with closing costs is available for some of the participants. Expanded partnerships with BB&T Bank, Mission of Peace Housing Program, and Freddie Mac resulted in the First Time Home Buyers Program being certified by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, having access to tri-merge credit reports, and being a loan originator for mortgage loans.

According to the Business Journal, "Maryland has the highest (regional) rate of foreclosures with 4,016 or one out of 566 households." We Are Family Community Development Corporation will partner with other non-profits, government agencies, and the mortgage industry to: (1) Provide financial literacy training and homeowneship counseling; (2) Challenge lenders to reconsider the way in which they consider stated income in the approval of sub-prime and adjustable rate products; (3) Advocate for passage of legislation to protect families against predatory lending and foreclosure rescue scams; and (4) Implement a foreclosure prevention program that requires mortgage lenders to make homeownership education and counseling mandatory. Our new program is designed to actively address and prevent as many foreclosures in our communities as possible.

Union Bethel AME Church Outreach

2008-07-21T07:06:00.005-04:00

Union Bethel AME Church offers a number of programs free of charge to the wider community. These programs include Cub and Girl Scouts Troops that meet weekly. A weekly Health and Fitness program promoting healthy eating and exercise is co-sponsored in partnership with the University of Maryland Health Initiative and the Health and Fitness ministry of Union Bethel AME Church. Karate classes for all age groups are taught by a Black Belt instructor and convene twice a week. The Senior Outreach program meets on Fridays. This program provides transportation to Union Bethel for interested participants and offers exercise, cultural, spiritual and educational programs featuring -- for example, local schools' students, featured lectures, music and literary programs, exercise and a balanced meal.

Homeless Prevention Program

2008-07-21T07:06:00.003-04:00

For information please call: 410-922-9621

The Homeless Prevention Program partners with the Good Samaritan Emergency Assistance Program to provide individual and families in

crisis support. This support is given through the emergency food pantry or in the form of monetary grants to prevent eviction and/or utility turn off. The program receives grants from the Maryland Food Bank, the United States Department of Agriculture, FEMA, the United Way, the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation, and Union Bethel A.M.E. Church.

Community Meeting Center

2008-07-21T07:05:00.001-04:00

Union Bethel AME Church provides no-cost meeting space to community-based programs. Mocha Moms, a support group for mothers of color who have chosen not to work outside of the home in order to devote more time to their familites, meets every Thursday for two hours. Narcotics Anonymous, a 12-Step Program and a member of an international community-based association of recovering drug addicts, holds three meetings per week.

We have hosted convocations for Milford Mill Academy, meetings for Baltimore County government, including a Martin Luther King Day celebration, information sessions for non-profits, and two press conferences for Senator Barbara Mikulski.