FWCED is a growing community development corporation committed to facilitating economic and social change in West Fresno-zip code 93706. This geographic region is of special interest to FWCED, because it continues to be recognized as an economically-disenfranchised area that is home to the poorest of Fresno’s residents. It includes the most neglected neighborhoods within the city boundaries in terms of housing, transportation, economic development, health care access and educational attainment. Not only is West Fresno the poorest area of Fresno, it is the area of highest concentrated poverty in the entire U.S., according to the 2005 Brookings Institute Report, “Katrina’s Window.” In that report, the City of Fresno was identified as having the highestconcentration of poverty amongst the fifty large cities in the U.S. Within the City of Fresno, West Fresno tops the list.
Although West Fresno is a noted disenfranchised area, its greatest strength is its residents. Despite the challenges facing these neighborhoods, it is collectively a community full of hope, strength and determination that needs community support and investment of capacity-building resources. With your assistance, FWCED will be able to expand strategic economic development services significantly to achieve the sustainable economic revitalization that comes from bringing new businesses and expanding existing business to create jobs – particularly higher wage jobs in an impoverished area.
I am excited about the accomplishments of our organization and our community, hopeful about our support and mindful of the great responsibility that goes with serving a community in need.
