WHAT WE DO
Pride of place is the foundation for healthy neighborhoods and individual achievement
The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) has worked for twenty years to build a more beautiful, equitable and economically vibrant Bronx. We reach over 35,000 people annually through energy-efficient, healthy and affordable homes; early childhood education and youth development; home-based childcare microenterprise and food business incubation; family support services; and arts programming.
GREEN HOMES We are committed to responsible stewardship of our shared planet. Therefore, we build and operate green, energy-efficient housing that reduces our operating costs and our tenants’ utility bills.
Urban Horizons is our first housing and economic development project, which has 132 apartments and was completed in 1997.
Intervale Green is the nation's largest Energy Star certified, multi-family affordable housing development, and holds 128 apartments. It was completed in 2009.
Bronx Commons is our third development expected to break ground in 2014. It will consist of 293 affordable apartments, including apartments set-aside for elder musicians; the Bronx Music Heritage Center an archive and community performance space; a hydroponic roof garden and open green space.
Early Childhood Our nationally accredited and award-winning Urban Horizons Early Childhood Discovery Center, a Head Start program, serves 111 pre-school children from 18 countries. Each year, 100% of children who graduate from our early childhood education program are school-ready.
Youth Development WHEDco provides opportunities for 1,000 school-age children annually to have the kinds of life experiences that prepare them for success as adults. Our in-school and out-of-school youth programs foster academic, artistic and community-building skills so that our young people can think critically, make smart choices about their education and careers, and make responsible contributions—even as students—as leaders in their community.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHEDco fosters safer, healthier and more vibrant neighborhoods surrounding our housing. We work with South Bronx residents to improve safety, commercial development and access to green space in their communities.
Home-based Childcare Microenterprise WHEDco helps women start and grow successful home-based childcare businesses as a means to creating sustainable sources of income for the women and their families. These businesses also provide children with nurturing environments in which to learn and grow, while enabling parents to seek and maintain employment.
Food Business Incubator WHEDco helps men and women grow successful businesses in the food industry by offering affordable commercial kitchen space in our Urban Horizons building to emerging food companies.
Green Carts WHEDco surveys neighborhoods to assess need for fresh produce, identifies prospective Green Cart vendors, trains and provides technical assistance to get these vendors licensed, and provides overnight storage for Green Carts.
Commercial Revitalization WHEDco worked with local merchants and residents to develop the Southern Boulevard Merchant’s Association and continues in its efforts to revitalize the Southern Boulevard Commercial Corridor near our Intervale Green building.
FAMILY SUPPORT WHEDco assists over 3,000 families every year to become more emotionally and economically secure by linking them to the resources they need to succeed. Our staff works with families to identify public benefits, initiate financial planning, provide crisis intervention and psychological counseling, and offer free fresh food and groceries through our community food pantry.
ARTS Through the Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC), WHEDco works to restore pride of place by tapping the dynamic music history of the borough. The BMHC is committed to preserving and promoting Bronx music, cultivating Bronx artists, spurring neighborhood revival, and providing free cultural programs for the community. The permanent BMHC space will be built as the centerpiece of the Bronx Commons development. It currently operates out of the BMHC Lab, a 1,400 sq. ft. storefront in our Intervale Green building.
HEALTH INITIATIVES The Bronx ranks lowest among all 62 counties in New York State for overall health. WHEDco works to improve access to fresh and nutritious foods and supports food-related businesses.
RESOURCES WHEDco prizes inquiry, learning and capacity building, and we are committed to continuously tracking and evaluating our work. We share our impact with the media, policymakers, government, funders and colleagues in the field of community development through various resources.
