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Welcome to the Mt.Carmel Redevelopment
Corporation portal.
Mount
Carmel Redevelopment Corporation (MCRC) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3)
community development corporation with a volunteer Board of Directors
from varied professional backgrounds. The organization has taken as
its mission field the restructuring of urban core of Kansas City, Kansas.
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.
MCRC has become the catalyst for the revitalization of
this neighborhood. The organization offers a glimmer of hope for the
Northeast area of
Wyandotte County. MCRC board
and staff believes that just as the 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’s
master plan calls for redevelopment of a four square block area,
bounded by Garfield on the south, Parallel on the North, 11th
street on the east and 13th street on the west. Through
authentic and effective partnerships and diverse funding streams,
effective changes are coming into fruition.
MCRC's
intent is to create safe, healthy neighborhoods and seeks to serve the
community in excellence, utilizing holistic service delivery. The
organization affirms its belief that every person is entitled to the
fulfillment of their basic human needs such as food, clothing,
shelter, and an adequate quality of life.
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