The Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation's intent is to serve the community and the participants of our various programs in excellence.  It is MCRC’s intent to address problems and concerns of the family throughout the complete life cycle cradle to grave, utilizing holistic service delivery in the administration of our programs. 

Historically, blight, deteriorating infrastructures, abandoned housing, over-grown weeds, trash and debris, a high crime rate, and declining population is what residents of the Mount Carmel neighborhood experience every day.  This predominantly African American community, in the heart of Kansas City, Kansas near 12th and Parallel Parkway, offered little in visible quality of life for its residents prior to 1994.  Area commerce is almost nonexistent; local stores are boarded up; and recreation for youth is most often found in the streets.   

More than 30% of the residents live in poverty.  The area's 13% unemployment rate is among the highest in greater Kansas City.  Thirty-seven percent of the adults lack a high school diploma.  Forty-eight percent of families are headed by a single parent. 

Mount Carmel Redevelopment Corporation (MCRC) -- a 501(c)(3)-community development corporation with a volunteer Board of Directors from varied professional backgrounds – became the catalyst for revitalization of this neighborhood.   The organization offers a glimmer of hope for this area.  MCRC's board, staff, and partners believe that just as a healthy human heart is the lifeline that makes for a healthy body, Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas needs healthy inner city neighborhoods to maintain a strong and vibrant city.            

MCRC has taken as its mission field the restructuring of urban core of Kansas City, Kansas. MCRC’s master plan calls for redevelopment of a four square block area, bounded by Garfield on the south, Parallel on the North, 11^th street on the east and 13^th street on the west.  Through authentic and effective partnerships and diverse funding streams, effective changes are coming into fruition. 

Our Uniqueness

Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation’s uniqueness lies in the fact that the CDC has united community revitalization, or the brick and mortar aspect of its community redevelopment corporation, with its human services.  MCRC has a matrix of programs to carry out its mission. Components of Mount Carmel Redevelopment Corporation accentuate one another, working in concert to accomplish the master plan, each having its own niche in holistic service delivery to the community.

The coalescing of community revitalization and human services allows Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation to effect positive change in the life of the community and in the life of those whom we serve.  Holistic services delivery allows us to reach and prevent Kansas City, Kansas’ most vulnerable residents from falling through the cracks in society’s fabric.  It also allows us to avoid duplicity, utilizing our well established community relationships and resources.   It  allows us to meet individuals at the level of their need and to offer a hand up, rather than the usual hand out.   

Transformation of both the physical and social environment is extremely necessary. Individual self-realization, interconnectedness with other residents and a spiritual transformation will only happen if residents are immersed in the redevelopment process.  MCRC has sought community involvement and partnerships at every level in the development and implementation of its master plan. MCRC held community meetings and hearings on a monthly basis for approximately 14 months prior to completion and implementation of its master plan. Key stakeholders were involved at each meeting.  In 2003, two listening sessions were held.  Approximately 3,500 letters were sent out to invite residents, schools, local government, neighborhood groups, churches, KCK Housing Authority, funders, area community development corporations, members of the Continuum of Care and other non-profit entities were invited to the events. 

Mt. Carmel Redevelopment is a member of the Wyandotte County Homeless Coalition and the Wyandotte County Emergency Assistance Coalition.  The organization plays a major role in the Kansas City, Kansas Continuum of Care. Through its Community Outreach department, MCRC receives referrals from area shelters, 43 agencies that make-up the Wyandotte County Emergency Assistance Coalition, the three Outreach Caseworkers, currently funded by HUD, churches and the homeless themselves.

Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation has been designated as a Promise Site.  MCRC was one of “Kansas City’ Promise” initial Promise Makers in 1998, when the community pledged to make the concerns of children, youth and their families a priority. MCRC joined others in the area in the commitment to make sure that all metro area children have access to the resources they need to succeed in life.

In partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, Development of an $8.2 million, 45,000 square foot Community Education and Activity Center is underway, slated to begin construction in the spring of 2004.  This facility will house Boys and Girls club activities, child care; gymnasium and multipurpose room to meet facility, and community-based needs; and community outreach services, which go beyond charity to foster social change and build self-reliance; expanded school for kindergarten through fifth grade; library; and office areas. 

Future Plans

MCRC staff and board, as many visionary leaders realize, business vitality is not only important in its own right, but also works to anchor, reinforce, and leverage the success of virtually all other efforts. Job and income opportunities resulting from a strong business base can positively influence educational attainment levels and health outcomes, leading to a virtuous cycle of sustainable economic development. Conversely, without a healthy business base and a sense of economic opportunity, social investments will never truly pay off.