1

ANNUAL SUMMARY 2013

Strengthening and enriching the lives of our neighbors in communities in which we live.

Meet the Board & Staff

Board Members:

Curtis A. Pope, ChairDaniel Houston, Vice ChairJamaal Lewis, SecretaryDonald Hawkins, TreasurerRosita Booker, TrusteeLinda McLaurin, TrusteeCalvin Sowell, TrusteeCyrus Littlejohn, TrusteeTracee Garrett, TrusteeHonorary Members: Ambrose Moses, Barbara Beckwith

Management Staff:

Bernita Gatewood, Executive Director Daryl Hopkins, Program Manager Lydia Wiggins, Project ManagerRobert Thomas, Project Director

Support Staff:

Clarence ShieldsCarol DickersonE. Louise MosleyRita LaceyLinda CoxShonda McFaddenShane Cason

PARTNERSHIPSonja Nelson-Jones, PresidentThe Firm Development Group, LLC

2

BOAR

D O

F TR

UST

EES

& S

TAFF

Bernita E. GatewoodExecutiveDirector

Curtis A. PopeChairman

Board of Directors

Executive Officer’s StatementCurrently, the organization’s challenges are embedded in infrastructure development. The agency’s financial resources are well below the necessary operating levels needed to hire additional administrative, technical and development/fundraising staff. Without additional funding sources, the agency cannot meet many expenses associated with housing and programmatic development.

The uncertain economic times we are experiencing have made the way the mission is carried out more critical than ever. We have to ensure that in our administrative spending to maximize the funding available to improve and explore new development opportunities in a wider range of neighborhoods and expand our partnerships with others who share

our vision. By doing these things, it will keep ECDC as a viable resource in the 43205, 43209, 43213 and 43203 Zip Codes from where we base our operations. Being a support to the residents we service, and offering a solution to all the red tape they might experience without our support.

The structure of ECDC is changing in response to both Federal mandates and today’s economic realities. As the Chairman and Executive Director, we believe we should all be unwilling to settle for anything short of excellence. Tough economic times call for tough decisions, and this agency must step up to the challenge because so many people depend on ECDC’s services.

We have reduced administrative costs to focus on maximizing funding for program delivery, of our current and new emerging projects. ECDC must first work smart, and then work hard.

ECDC invites you to visit our website for current and upcoming events @ www.ecdcohio.org.

Respectfully,

Curtis A Pope, Chairman, Board of Directors Bernita Gatewood, Executive Director

3

East Columbus Development Company, Inc. (ECDC) - Profile 2013

ECDC is a NFP (501.C3) community-sponsored organization that is certified by the City and State as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) located on the near east side of Columbus (OH) has been a stabilizing entity since 2003. ECDC is led by Bernita Gatewood (Executive Director), Curtis A Pope (Chair) and Daniel Houston (Vice Chair); the offices are located on the eastside in the country’s oldest metropolitan housing authority’s Poindexter Village Community Center. ECDC’s focal point has been on decent affordable housing, economic and community development that bring about vibrant and thriving neighborhoods for eastside communities.

We are an establishment within the community, and our initiatives are to persistently develop and improve neighborhoods by helping residents find safe, affordable, and desirable housing while achieving educational and economic success. The foundation of our success has been our close ties to the community and our strong network of supporters and partners. We play a critical role in the growth of our community, and are constantly working to: promote the east side of Columbus; create social capital and business networks that bring investments into our community; encourage efforts that cultivate human development; and instill a sense of pride and safety in the community.

ECDC is first and foremost dedicated to revitalizing and strengthening our community’s infrastructure through the development of affordable housing and economic development. An important part of our comprehensive neighborhood redevelopment strategy is to ensure that all our residents have access to the education they need to succeed in life. Our strategy is SIMPLE: Sharing Ideas Making People Learn Everyday through our RICH Programs. ECDC’s RICH Programming (Reaching Into Communities Holistically) encompasses Economic Empowerment, Education, Financial Fitness, Credit Repair, Life Skills, Neighborhood Leadership Development, IDA’s and Board Human Services through Ohio Benefit Bank serving as an Enhance Center. This RICH approach is a one-to-one effort to introduce change to the community by giving people/residents the tools to empower one’s self toward positive individual change, introduction of core knowledge and self-sufficiency that would last a life time. ECDC’s RICH programs are open to all people throughout Franklin County. Over 200 people found a safe, secure place in which to live through ECDC’s commitment of building a better community one block at a time.

4

Upcoming Annual Meeting September 16, 2014

5

6

EAST “RICH” Financial Fitness (FinFit)

An Economic empowerment

Program providing 20 hours of education and

Education and Training to more than

200 residents in Columbus Franklin

County Ohio.

7

Financial Fitness (FinFit)Two hundreds participants of the Financial Development Training program received Certificates of Completion for satisfying 20 hours of education and finances.

East “RICH” IDA The EAST “RICH” IDA Program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Ohio CDC Association, World Finance National Network Bank, Franklin County Economic Development Planning Department, PNC Foundation and PNC Bank. Current program has enrollment of 23 participants, 36 on wait-list, and 15 complete in 2013.

ECDC Housing DevelopmentECDC is currently working on a revitalization of the Boulenbaugh District rehabbing four single-family homes on Pembroke and Eldridge Avenues in 43203 zip codes. All homes will be affordable in prices for income eligible buyers. Buyers must complete the Financial Fitness classes and the Homebuyer Education and Counseling program to receive downpayment opportunities.

ECDC Community Development ECDC provided the “RICH” programming to 1,576 residents and was listed as a designated Franklin County Toys for Tots, Firefighters, NBC4, WBNS-10TV site during the holidays serving 1,544 families

Neighbor-2-Neighbor Program An energy savings program that provides grants up to $500 to American Electric Power customers. ECDC assisted 1,418 individuals/families with their electric bill. Of those served, Franklin Country residents received $450,065 in grants (since inception).Senior Enrichment Program

8

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COMMUNITY

To assist low-to-moderate income adults in obtaining their GED by participating in one-on-one tutoring in reading, math, science, writing and literature courses. While enhancing their ability to gain self-confidence, improve self-esteem and decrease frustration. Moreover, they participate in problem solving and alternative to inappropriate behaviors while building self-esteem and confidence.

GED programs would qualify you a point for the AHP Application.

ECDC is an OHIO BENEFIT BANK ENHANCEMENT CENTER, providing all types of assistance to low-to-moderate income families and individuals.

Career Development for Mature Adults The Firm Development Group, LLC is a social enterprise, community focused organization, established to provide development opportunities for individuals to obtain and maintain self-sufficiency and overall life balance.

The following programs will be innovatively connected to provide life balance and career development resources and programming specifically for mature adults.

TFDG Life Balance Certification – Certification process that provides, developmental activities for participants, and demonstrates their commitment of actively pursuing life balance.Transitions Magazine - Quarterly magazine that provides articles and resources to assist its readers in obtaining and maintaining self-sufficiency and life balance. Resource Database - Searchable database used to research various community resources. Community Calendar - Central listing of all local events, specifically those that improve self-sufficiency and life balance.

Sponsors & FundersColumbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, PNC Bank, PNC Foundation, Huntington Bank, Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department, City of Columbus - Department of Development, Catholic Diocese of Columbus and Ohio CDC Association, Inc.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ www.ecdcohio.org

9

10

“Building communities one block at a time…”

East Columbus Development Company, Inc.240 N. Champion Ave, Suite 115

Columbus, Ohio 43203614-372-0884 (t) 614-372-0885 (f)

www.ECDCOHIO.org