Programs
The West Harlem Local Development Corporation (WHLDC) signed a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) dated May 18, 2009 with Columbia University. The CBA includes a $76million Benefits Fund that is payable over sixteen years. As of June 2012, Columbia had paid $3.5 million under the CBA to WHLDC through a Fiscal Sponsor. WHLDC is in the process of petitioning to transfer all of its assets, including its right to receive funds under the CBA, to West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC) and thereafter to dissolve. Listed below is a progress report of the activities of WHLDC.
Employment and Workforce Development
- Funded 500 youth employment placements for the youth of Community Board 9 area of West Harlem through the 2012 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) of New York City’s Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) after ensuring that no portion of the funds goes to DYCD’s administration. Total 2012 SYEP Funding by WHLDC – $756,000
- Increased the capacity of local Community Based Organizations who serve as Providers of job sites for SYEP through the payments for placements of a projected total of $178,500 as part of the total 2012 SYEP contribution. The Providers include: Ecumenical Community Development Corporation, Police Athletic League, Community Association of Progressive Dominicans and New York City Mission Society.
- Approved $54,050 to be drawn from the in-kind contribution under the Community Benefits Agreement to be used to support focus groups of employers and the community to assess workforce needs and employment responses to be done by Columbia University.
- Funded the 2011 SYEP for 200 placements for the youth of the Community Board 9 area of West Harlem for a total of $302,400 by WHLDC through DYCD’s 2011 SYEP.
- Increased the capacity of local CBO Providers for a total of $71,800 as part of the total 2011 SYEP funding. The providers included: NYC Mission Society, Ecumenical Community Development Corporation, Police Athletic League, NYCHA, and Harlem Commonwealth Council.
- Co-sponsored Career Fairs.
- Collaborated with Columbia University to provide at least 15 summer internships to high school and college students from the community.
Education
- Teachers College Community School opened in September 2011 and the secured its permanent site in Community District 9 beginning in school year 2012-2013.
- Co-sponsored policy forums to introduce community leaders to Columbia University’s academic departments.
- Offered 25 summer camp scholarships annually to West Harlem (CB 9) children of 6 to 12 years old in 2011 and 2012
- Collaborated with Columbia University to provide 40 scholarships a year for 2010, 2011 and 2012
Housing & Residential Needs
- Initiated dialogue with Columbia University in order to pursue bulk purchases of fuel oil for residential buildings to assist needy families.
- Approved first installment of $3 million to be set aside for capital and program needs Grant Houses and Manhattanville Houses requested by Manhattanville Grant Benefit Committee.
- Drafted a Request for Proposal for the management of the first $10 million Columbia University deposited with the City of New York for an Affordable Housing Fund, and recently negotiated the final document with the Department of City Planning.
- Collaborated with Columbia University for the search of a law firm to address West Harlem tenancy issues as part of the $4 million benefit over 16 years.
WHLDC and WHDC Affairs
- Hired Executive Director of West Harlem Development Corporation on April 9, 2012
- Completed a lease of an office for WHDC with hand-over on June 19, 2012. Office address is 423 West 127thStreet, Suite A, New York, NY 10027
- In the process of transferring WHLDC’s assets and liabilities to a new non-profit corporation named the West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC). The By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, Mission and Vision Statements, Organizational Strategies and Structures and all other matters required for the completion of IRS Application Form 1023 were completed. WHDC was incorporated on March 14, 2011 and received its 501(c) (3) tax exemption from the IRS on July 6, 2011.
- WHDC has substantially similar charitable purposes as WHLDC, enabling it to provide the community benefits to the West Harlem community, as well as to solicit additional contributions from the public in the future. WHDC’s ability to raise funds should go a long way to ensure decades of service to the West Harlem community.
- Guidelines for grant applications have been developed and a process for community participation in this process is under development.
- Set up a process of transitioning between fiscal sponsors to avoid disruption of services.
- Continued monthly meetings with Columbia University to maintain open communication.
- Continued monthly meetings with Columbia University to maintain open communication.