About the Zion Community Development Corporation
(Information taken verbatim from correspondence with Fred Lassen)

Zion Community Development Corporation, whose executive director is Mary Jo Pecek, came into being in 1995 as a result of the vision of Mt Zion Baptist Church, and its pastor, the late Rev. Fred Steen. They wanted to revitalize the neighborhood. Pastor Steen became aware of the models across the nation which faith-based organizations were using to do just that. They decided that a community development corporation would be the best instrument to accomplish their purposes. From the beginning, they decided that the corporation would eventually stand on its own, separate and independent of the congregation. It is a serious effort, bearing the vision and hopes of people past and present who passionately believe in investing in the City of Oberlin and especially the southeast quadrant.

What is a community development corporation? Among different kinds of community organizations, the CDC is distinctive. CDCs are locally controlled nonprofit organizations that reinforce the economic and social foundation of neighborhoods, towns and villages, both urban and rural. These are the basic ingredients:

• community base of political, legal, moral support - the CDC arises out of and is committed to a particular place. In order to succeed, it must have that support.
• local community leadership (City of Oberlin, First Merit Bank, Nord Family and Stocker Foundations, Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County, Lorain County Grassroots Leadership)
• lots of experienced help from outside (National City Bank, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, State of Ohio)
• 501 (c)(3) tax status -"non-profit" does not mean "no" profit. CDCs must have an "income stream" if they are to succeed. The difference is in the distribution of the profits.
• a real estate development agenda - this is what makes CDCs distinct. A primary goal is to increase wealth in the community through provision of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income people.
• staff committed to a resident-empowering development program in a well-defined, and limited, geographic area. In our case, that area is the Southeast Quadrant.

Hence, the mission of the organization:

"To revitalize the Oberlin Community, with a focus on the southeast quadrant, by initiating and coordinating housing, education and economic development projects and services."

Faculty and Staff Notes for April 17, 2000