In 2007, clergy and lay leaders from four downtown churches: Court Street Methodist, Emmanuel Episcopal, First Presbyterian, and Second Congregational gathered to explore how they could better serve the people who live nearby. During the past four years, exciting progress has been made.
Check the links on the sidebar to learn more about the remodeling of the Winnebago House, which turned a distressed property into a beautiful home, and about Jeremiah Garden, which for two summers has provided produce for community members and area food pantries.
The Jeremiah Development Mission
Jeremiah Development is committed to the simple mission of promoting the well-being of our neighborhood in the downtown area. We are a community- and church-based organization working closely with local residents to accomplish four goals - specifically, to:
• Create and maintain quality, safe, affordable housing which enhances the fabric of the neighborhood (the area bounded by State Street, Rockton Avenue, Whitman Street and the Rock River), and empowers people through the creation of community and family assets;
• Partner with other organizations to create and implement programs which enable residents of the neighborhood to develop the capacity to succeed in a changing society, with a special emphasis on youth;
• Advocate for the beautification and enhancement of public areas and facilities in the neighborhood; and,
• Create and support opportunities for neighborhood businesses to grow and prosper.
Check the links on the sidebar to learn more about the remodeling of the Winnebago House, which turned a distressed property into a beautiful home, and about Jeremiah Garden, which for two summers has provided produce for community members and area food pantries.
The Jeremiah Development Mission
Jeremiah Development is committed to the simple mission of promoting the well-being of our neighborhood in the downtown area. We are a community- and church-based organization working closely with local residents to accomplish four goals - specifically, to:
• Create and maintain quality, safe, affordable housing which enhances the fabric of the neighborhood (the area bounded by State Street, Rockton Avenue, Whitman Street and the Rock River), and empowers people through the creation of community and family assets;
• Partner with other organizations to create and implement programs which enable residents of the neighborhood to develop the capacity to succeed in a changing society, with a special emphasis on youth;
• Advocate for the beautification and enhancement of public areas and facilities in the neighborhood; and,
• Create and support opportunities for neighborhood businesses to grow and prosper.
Exciting Opportunities for 2012
Jeremiah Development is working with Rockford Urban Ministries to bring their work camp groups to our neighborhood during the summer of 2012. This project will involve canvassing our neighborhood to ascertain various needs like a new roof or painting that would need be done. In order for this project to move forward, we need to be able to fully fund the program which will cost nearly $40,000. Jeremiah Development has started discussions with Habitat for Humanity in order to bring new, affordable, quality housing to our neighborhood. One critical part of this project is amassing the necessary lots upon which the homes can be built. Each lot costs roughly $500 and we will need to purchase up to ten lots to make this a reality for a cost of up to $10,000.
Jeremiah Development is working with Rockford Urban Ministries to bring their work camp groups to our neighborhood during the summer of 2012. This project will involve canvassing our neighborhood to ascertain various needs like a new roof or painting that would need be done. In order for this project to move forward, we need to be able to fully fund the program which will cost nearly $40,000. Jeremiah Development has started discussions with Habitat for Humanity in order to bring new, affordable, quality housing to our neighborhood. One critical part of this project is amassing the necessary lots upon which the homes can be built. Each lot costs roughly $500 and we will need to purchase up to ten lots to make this a reality for a cost of up to $10,000.
Receiving the US Bancorp Foundation grant from Mike Abate, Market President, US Bank are (left to right):
Phillip Bush, Garden Committee Co-Chair
Mary Johnson, JD Board Member and Garden Committee Member
Mike Abate
Todd McDanel, US Bank Branch Manager and JD Board Member
Kathi Ferrero, Executive Director JD
Roberto Cardenas, JD Board Member
Jeremiah Development is proud to announce that we received a $2,000 gift from the US Bancorp Foundation. Jeremiah Development will be utilizing this money to fund its partnership with Rockford Urban Ministries and its Work Camps program. Through this partnership, we are helping home owners throughout our neighborhood to complete small home repair projects, weatherize homes and paint. We are thankful for US Bancorp Foundation's support of our program.
Mary Johnson, JD Board Member and Garden Committee Member
Mike Abate
Todd McDanel, US Bank Branch Manager and JD Board Member
Kathi Ferrero, Executive Director JD
Roberto Cardenas, JD Board Member
Jeremiah Development is proud to announce that we received a $2,000 gift from the US Bancorp Foundation. Jeremiah Development will be utilizing this money to fund its partnership with Rockford Urban Ministries and its Work Camps program. Through this partnership, we are helping home owners throughout our neighborhood to complete small home repair projects, weatherize homes and paint. We are thankful for US Bancorp Foundation's support of our program.
Jeremiah Development / 318 North Church Street / Rockford, IL 61101 / 1-630-452-5234 / kferrero55@hotmail.com