Wilson Foundation makes lasting impact

In 1984, the Wilson Foundation took the greatest risk in its 20 year history when it initiated Wilson Commencement Park with an investment of over $2 million – a full 20% of its endowment. 

A multidimensional housing facility, Wilson Commencement Park is provides customized, long-term shelter and services to low-income, single-parent families. 

Grounded in the "transformational housing model," the Park provides holistic services, identifying the unique needs of each individual family, working with the family to overcome challenges and eventually helping families to find and keep permanent housing. 

The housing facilities include a 50-unit housing complex with an Early Learning Center, childcare, counseling and other support services.  

Originally services were provided to Park residents only.  But in November 1996, the program formally expanded to offer these services to non-residents, which was in line with the Foundation's commitment to the larger community, and a testament to the mutually supportive relationship that has developed between the Park and its neighbors.  Now, approximately 700 community families per year take advantage of Wilson Commencement Park's programs and services. 

Wilson Commencement Park has identified five keys to helping families move out of homelessness and poverty:

• Linking services in-house.  Recognizing the demands on single, low-income parents, the programs provide comprehensive family support services on-site, including certified childcare, vocational training, and parenting classes.
• Serving the neighborhood.  To reduce stigma of program participants and create goodwill in the community, program services are available to other families in the neighborhood.
• Creating individual plans for transformation.  To show participants that this is an opportunity to exit the homeless system permanently, programs require participants to develop an individual transformation plan by articulating long-term aspirations and the interim steps needed to reach them.  
• Building a community.  Affirmation from peers is at the core part of participants' transformation.  Programs use both formal and informal opportunities to acknowledge progress and accomplishments.
• Leveraging alumni support.  Alumni play a vital role in the success of program participants by serving as mentors and role models, showing that real change is possible.

The goals of Wilson Commencement Park project are to help families:

• graduate from the two-year transformational housing program, 
• find stable employment,
• purchase their own homes. 

Consistent government and private funding has made the program sustainable far beyond the foundation's initial support. 

Read how the Wilson Foundation started Wilson Commencement Park.

Read how the Wilson Foundation is adapting for the future.