Greater Mt. Carmel Development Corporation (CDC) is a 501© (3), faith-based organization with a solid history of providing human and social services in the inner-city communities of Hillsborough County, Florida since 1990. The CDC incorporated in 2000 and has provided over 1000 customer / client service contacts in the past year alone. We have managed and delivered on contracts between the CDC and other organizations possessing common objectives for empowering people through a holistic approach toward self sufficiency
Currently, The Greater Mount Carmel operates an AIDS
Our Mission is to provide sound programs and create opportunities which help improve the economic, educational, and social status of the disadvantaged and marginalized residents of Hillsborough County, Florida. We have recognized the impact grass root efforts have in bridging the gap towards economic prosperity, and reducing the reliance upon governmental interventions. The CDC’s service delivery and service access policies are neutral and non-religious. By focusing on self reliance through the development of healthy, positive, and productive lives, we promote responsibility and accountability; help build self-esteem, and guide our customers in developing the skills necessary to sustain a meaningful life. One of our most important business goals is to be a catalyst for progress in the communities we serve.
For the past 7 years our strategic focus has included delivery of basic computer courses in a community based technology lab; life skills counseling; employability / Job readiness training & assistance; educational referrals/support and family enrichment. The CDC partnered with the Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance and its One-Stop collaborators to manage its 2004/2005 Passport To Economic Progress initiative.
In addition to our strategic partnership with the Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, we added AARP and the Seniors in Service component to offer a separate learning environment for basic computer courses in our community based technology lab. In addition, the CDC partnered with the Kinship Care Center in the Department of Social Work at The University of South Florida to provide food, financial literacy workshops and other supportive services to relatives serving as child caregivers.
In 2006 Greater Mt. Carmel Development Corporation partnered with the Tampa Bay Area Faith Based Alliance to present its first Women’s Empowerment Conference. This event targeted women from grass-root community, nonprofit & faith based organizations in the Tampa Bay Area. Our chief presenters were the Hillsborough County Health Department, YMCA, FDOE and the Judge Don Castor Community Law Center. Additionally, the American Heart Association’s GO RED Initiative, was featured at the Conference Luncheon, where more than 130 Hillsborough County residents were in attendance.
In 2007, we again partnered with the Hillsborough County Health Dept. “STEPS to a HEALTHIER Fl.” To provide education and a higher awareness of the health disparities associated with Stroke and Heart Disease to local congregations and their surrounding communities. A comprehensive curriculum was presented which included informational sessions with experts. Nurse practitioners provided Blood Pressure and Glucose checks, weight Body Mass index screenings. Healthy eating choices were presented by a registered dietitian and this segmented included a recipe/food demonstration and lunch prepared by a chef using recipes from the American Diabetes Association.
Greater Mt. Carmel AME Church has partnered with The Chiles Center’s Federal Healthy Start Project. As one of the original members of this faith based coalition, We provided support services to pregnant women and their children including, but not limited to housing assistance, transportation, clothing, food, life skills workshops, counseling & community referrals.
Our most recent health partnership, Hillsborough County Health Department and YMCA afforded us the opportunity to serve as a Train the Trainer for its Stepsto a Healthier Florida initiative .We now serve as a portal to disseminate information and increase awareness of health disparities within the Tampa Bay Community in conjunction with the Local Health Department, the American Heart Association and it’s “Search Your Heart” Initiative.
In 2010, a food Pantry was initiated, and provides fresh meat, vegetables and other food stables in partnership with Feeding America, Tampa Bay. While the Pantry is Open twice a month, Food and monetary donations are provided on an emergency basis via social services and community referrals.
In 2011, a low impact exercise class was added, and attendees are encouraged to walk, and incorporate physical activity into their daily routine. We are again partnering with the American Heart Association and using their SEARCH YOUR HEART Curriculum to promote physical activity for Children and adults as well as healthy food choices.
Greater Mt. Carmel has a strong history in creating innovative partnerships and serves as a faith based role model for trusted leadership and educating our community’s citizens. We have a core of volunteers identified who are committed to our core vision of Serving and Living Well.
Examples of recent initiatives include
· Donation of school supplies to community youth.
· Support of youth workshops with materials/tokens for workshop participants / delegates.
· Books, toys and clothing have been donated to needy children.
· Co-Sponsorship of “Sharing and Caring: An Evening with Cantor William Hauben”-Holocaust Survivor
- Youth Dance Ministry
- Financial support to Edward Waters College Scholarship fund, and other higher education initiatives for needy students